Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-09-14

at the fat, disturbed countenance of hi,
employer. Heretofore they had always
been on good tcrms-something must
have occurred to turn Babcock's anger
upon him. The simple fact of his
walking on Sixth avenue or any other
thoroughfare during his incoming could
not account for this inquisition.
Then, all at once he remembered
Celia Hart had once said she had met
Skiff Babcock several times. and liked
him.
Casey's face grew cod and hard.
"I've an intercs; in you. Tim" said
Skiff with a sudden change Of tone.
I'm obliged"
"Have you ever wanted TO go into
the trucking business for yourself?"
The younger mans face underwent q
brief change.
Every man looks to bettering him
self" he said warilv.
ard. let you have the Old stable on
West street and three teams-Td give
em to you"
"What for?" demanded Casey bluntly.
Skiff dropped subtertuge and looked
his driver square in the eye
you'll understand when | tell you
that I've made up my mind TO marry
Celia Ear;. Look what can give her
diamonds. an autymobile all the
money she wants to spend and hired
girl to do her work. What can you
give her-eh?" His sneer could not
be suppressed. For the sake of the
girl I should think you'd step back,
Casey! She's too fine to work herself
to the bone as the wife of a poor truck
driver. AS Mrs Skiff Babcock she'd
live like a lady. You stand off and I'll
set you up in business-you'r smart
and can stand where I do ten years
from now. You'll never have another
chance"
Ashen faced. Casey stared back at
him.
"I'll not do It," he muttered.
"What is your price them demanded
Skiff impatiently "Name it and I'll
pay tt
"Me price?" stammered Casey. And
he seemed to ponder the question.
"Yes: your price. Name it and I'll
pay It," Skiff smiled complacently.
Things were coming his way. He nev-
er had known this treatment to fail.
Every man has his price.
Suddenly Casey's head went up. "Me
price is this" he said heavily-"me
price is this Send Cor Celia Hart and
let her choose between us"
Skiff;s smile faded Its no way to
treat lady. It'll scare her. he said
doubtfully.
"It's me price, reiterated Casey sui
lenly. LET her have the say. l don't
want your job
Skiff Babcock nodded shortly and
pulled the telephone toward him. He
called up the milliner's where Celia
Hart worked and asked that she be
sent at once in taXicab to the Office
Of the Skiff Babcock Trucking COM
pany, and then he sat back and waited
nervously for her coming.
Tim Casey leaned against the oppo-
site wall, white faced, with miserable
eyes.
What girl would hesitate at choosing
between the plump we'll dressed and
obviously rich proprietor and the shirt
sleeved truck driver?
He wished that he had knocked Skiff
down when the suggestion was first
made. But Celia ought to have a
chance to better herself. Celia was
lovely, bright creature, and the best
was none too good for her. But was
Skiff Babcock the best?
Celia should decide.
A half hour licked away, and at last
taxi drew up to the curb, and a slim,
black gowned form crowned with
coral hat all askew flew into the office
and looked dazedly around.
whats happened to Timmy?' she
demanded breathlessly.
Then her eyes fell upon Tim Casey.
standing there so grim and silent, and
she ran to him and flung herself on his
breast.
"Ah, Timmy, I thought you was
dead, or somethingw she cried. "What
is the matter?''
Skiff Babcock stepped into a small
adjoining room.
Tim Case--'s great chest heaved. but
he did not unfold his arms to encircle
her.
"Celia," he said hoarsely, you're
promised to me, and I'm a poor man.
But suppose there was another man.
rich and better'n me. Some one like
Skif Babcock. Which would you
choose, eh? He's got an autymobile
and diamonds, and his wife could live
like a lady"
Celia Hart shook his shoulder vigor-
ously. "Tim Casey, I believe you're
sun struck or something, you act so
queer!"
''Would you, Cellar
"Did you call me away from trim
ming my wedding hat-yes, sir, I'm
getting my hat at Nine. Moriarty's,
with the best Of 'em, and she set me
to trimming it myself And you called
me away from that to ask me would