The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-02
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A Novel
A Week
BY
Kate Trimble Sharbcr
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Copyright. istt. ~
The nobtse keFfiii CO
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chinery was steady and monoton.
Gus, and II served 10 drown out the
noise my heart WAS making. for ]
was legltimately frightened. even
In my reportorial capacity II was
II most unpleasant moment
This must be the office"
The big door was slightly ajar,
80 entered, rapplnR with unsteady
knuckles moment later against
tho forbidding panels Of another
door marked Private"
"Well7"
Il don't give a rap II he In the
Vice. President and General Man
ager OF the Consolidated Traction
Company" ! muttered. the capital
letters Of his position and big cor
poration. however, pelting Ike
giant hailHtones against my cour'
age. I'm Special Feature Writer
for The oldburgh Herald"
III you've got any business with
me open that door and come In"
was the further invitation re
ceiyed. III you haven't. 10 on OF "
The Invitation wasn't exactly
pressing in its tone. but managed
10 nerve myself up 10 accepting IL.
But have got some-business
with you" ! gasped, as ! opened
tho door.
Mr.. TAFT turned around from HIS
desk.
Good iord-that II. mean TO
say. dear me-" he muttered. as he
wheeled and saw me. Miss
ChriEtiei"
AS you so surprised-then7"
Surprised or course. n little.
but-no-o. not 40 much either.
when you come 10 think OF H."
Mr.. TAFT drew up chair.
Thank you-tho ! haven't a min.
ute to stay" stammered a little.
then sat down.
"A minute7"
Not long. realiy-for it's getting
late. you see'"
III you're In such hurry your
business must be urgent" he said.
and his tone was full OF satire.
You needn't rub II In on me-"
flashed back at him.
HIS chair was tilted slightly !
against the desk. and he sat there
observing me impersonslly as II
were wasp pinned on card
board
Rub 1t In on your"
Please don't think came out
here tonight because ! wanted 10
see you. Mr. TAFT" I was starting |
TO explain. when be interrupted
me. the satire quite gone.
But. after all. what else was
there 20 do7' he asked. with sur
prising gentleness.
What else7"
Yes. Certainly Il Was your
next moye-Grace.
Ny heart outdid the machinery
in the roundhouse In the way OF
making a hubbub At that instant,
but he seemed not 20 hear.
Il Just wanted to let you know"
I began. when he stopped me.
Please don't waste this dear
little hour IN expiaintng' he
begged. Il want you TO know--to
feel sbsoluteiy-that nothing you
might ever DO could be misunders
stood by me, feel now that
know you--your impulsive. head
strong way"
'Heart.strong,' Aunt Patricia
used TO say" I modified softly.
There was a tense little silence. /
then he spoke again.
III you are not in love with your
have been In love
with him-why do you maintain |
the relationship" he asked. in as
careful and businesslike a manner |
as II he were inquirins the price
OF plg-iron.
"Because-becauset that's the way
we do things down here In this
state" I answered. "and mother
idollEes him"
He smiled-hls own particular
brand OF smile.
'IAt,le-goosc' he said.
"Then-iast night, when you pre-
tended that you were COINS
straight away
Il am going away" he broke in
with considerable dignity. Tonight
will see the finishing up OF the
business which brought me to Old
burgh,"
Then and not until then. I'm
afraid. did really recall the face
OF my city editor-and the fact
that he had sent me out 10 obtain
an interview. not proposal.
your business with the Macder.
mott Realty Company" inquired.
Continued In Our Next Issue)