The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-03-17

wallet to give her some money Tor
lunch She sat tongue-tied, still look
ing at the floor. He thought moment,
and put the wallet back into his
pocket.
HIN. You must eat" argued Jer-
rold r. audibly that's certain. Let
me see All! Why not come with me?
I'm ready to go now"
Gertrude started Was there-was
there something in what Virgins said
after all. The thought swept into her
brain so rapidly that 1t overwhelmed
her.
Mono, I shouldn't" she half whis-
pered.
And why not. Well 90 to nice,
quiet little place" Jerrold RS voice
WAS all amazement
'Oh, no. pleased" She stared at him,
her eyes wide.
"Or would you prefer big cafe with
music7 That's where We'll go!" He
spoke pleasantly, patronizingly, with
the coaxing air Of nice old gentle
man talking to a grandchild.
NO. no." Gertrude insisted.
Jerrold r. coughed.
mo. | think the quiet place would
be better" he agreed. and went on
talking just as though it were under
stood without any further conversa-
ton that she was going. Il want you
to tell me more Of your mother and
your little brothers and we'll have a
chance to talk of personal things-so
many things that one can't discuss in
an office where one Is always busy
and people come IN to interrupt all the
time
"No-Im afraid 1t wouldn't be
right" She was torn between Miss
Virgins advice and the fear of offend
ing her employer, and gazed at him
pitifully. clasping and unclasping her
hands in the agony of her indecision.
In broad daylight?'' He smiled good
naturedly, reassuringly. You mustn't
be afraid of mel" he added. jocularly.
Surely, If it we're not right, I would
not ask you! Let mo be the judge OF
that. You don't want me to be cross
with you-the very first day." He
stepped quite close to her. fixing his
gaze steadily on hers. Scott was mas
terful man, for all his faults. Men had
often done his bidding when he init
mated that he might be angry If they
did not. You don't want me to be
cross with you--do your" he repeated
quite pleasantly.
NO." agreed Gertrude. surrender
ing.
No intonation of his voice showed
that he was surprised, delighted or
even aware Of the fact that he had
won victory over her reluctance.
Very we'll. then. get your hat" he
said In a matter-of-fact tone. AS she
went to the hat-rack behind her desk
he added:
"Oh, by the way. want to talk to
Crane a moment. You just run along
to the-let me see-the drug store on
the next corner south-you know -
good! I'll be there in a few mo-
ments.'
Gertrude dutifully put on her hat
Office
NO, not that way" he corrected,
this way" He led her to the private
door from his Office leading directly
out on to the hallway. As the door
closed after her, he went to the mirror
in a corner Of the office, and brushed
his hair, affixed a boutonniere In his
lapel, and smiled broadly to himself.
humning a tune. AS he was busiIy
occupied in putting his hat on straight,
Miss Virgins entered suddenly
THE reports" she began.
Put them on the desk" ordered
Scott shortly.
But want to see you about them"
Not now; I'm going out to lunch"
Without any more ado, he went out
through the private door, shutting 1t
after him masterfully. not slamming
it.
Miss Virgins gazed at the hat,rack.
noting that Gertrude's hat had disap-
peared Then she saw the girls purse
lying on one side of the desk. picked
1t up and looked into it. Within lay a
solitary nickel.
She looked up and towards the door
through which Jerrold r. had Just fol-
lowed Gertrude.
"Lunch!" commented Miss Virgins
to herself with a rueful smile
II.
In a month a lot OF things can
pecially in New York Jer-
rold r. took his pretty little secretary
out to luncheon quite often; but that,
it must be confessed, was the extent Of
his depravity in that regard. He was
her protector, her employer, her bene-
factor. It was natural for him 70 take
an interest in such little girl, and one
trying so hard to help her mother and
her two little brothers---in all of whom
he took a great personal interest.
And blackwell, Jack was described
by his stepfather himself as the one
college boy a big drawing account
hadn't ruined. and Jack was in the
Office a lot There was something new
in his heart, and that new thing was
beautiful
One sunny afternoon In July Jerrold
r Suddenly aDtere6 hiu oHioo