Oxford Democrat., 1916-09-12

lnnI 'S uooS Wy NY AiAAo w An0AA J
Celia Hart! Look what can give heI
diamonds, an auUmobile, all the
money she wants to spend and hired
girl to do her work. What can you
give her-ehf" 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 lady. You stand of and I'll
set you up in business-you're smart
and can stand where do ten years
from now. You'll never have another
chance"
Ashen faced. Casey stared back at
him.
"1'n not do it!" be muttered.
"What is your price thenT demanded
skinf impatiently. Name It and I'll
pay it"
me priceT' stammered Casey. And
he seemed to ponder the question.
Eyes; your price. Name 1t and I'll
pay It." Skift smiled complacently
Things were coming his way. he new.
er had known this treatment to fail
Every man has his price.
Suddenly Casey's head went up. "Me
price is this" he said heavtly-"me
price is this. Send for Celia Hart and
let her choose between US"
Skiff's smile faded. "It's no way to
treat a lady. It'll scare her." he said
doubtfully.
"It's me price," reiterated Casey sui.
lenly. "Let her have the say. 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 q 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. well dressed and
obviously rich proprietor and the shirt
sleeved truck driver7
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
a taxi drew up to the curb. and a slim.
black gowned form crowned with a
coral hat all askew few into the Office
and looked dazedly around.
whats happened to NmmyT 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 something" she cried. "What
Is the matterT
skiff Babcock stepped into a small
adjoining room.
Tim Casey's great chest heaved, but
he did not unfold his arms to encircle
her.
sCelia," he said hoarsely. you're
promised to me. and I'm q poor man.
But suppose there was another man.
rich and bettern me. Some one like
Skin Babcock. Which would you
choose, eh1 He's got an autymobile
and diamonds, and bis wife could live
like q lady"
Celia Hart shook his shoulder vigor-
ously. "Tim Casey, I believe you're
sun struck or something, you act 80
queerr'
"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 ]
marry Skiff Babcock?"
Eyes"
"Well, you can take 1t from me that l
wouldn't" declared Miss Hart emphat-
ically, mot If he rode in ten auty-
mobiles at once and was sewed all over
with diamonds. Now, come along with
me and take something for your sun
stroke" She dragged the beaming Tim
by one sleeve toward the outer door.
swat minute, Cellar and he step.
ped to the door Of the inner room
"You heard, Mr.. Babcock" he asked
Of the still figure by the window.
Skiff Babcock turned pale, flabby
face toward him and nodded. II
heard" he said hoarsely. "Go along
with her. You needn't stay around"
"You mean I'm firedT'
mo. You can come back after
after the wedding. I guess I don't un-
derstand girls very we'll"
When he was alone Ski6 Babcock
lighted another cigar and muttered to
himself:
II guess that's the price I'm paying
now"