The Huttig news., 1916-04-22
RED TOP
By KEITH KENYON.

l the St. Dimitri switchb board The Dell hops and their captain looked her over cautiously. She was not a city girl. Andy, bravest of all. strolled over about nine, and leaned tentatively on the top of the desk with his most friendly smile.
 How does the scenery strike you, Red Top?" he asked
 Not half as strongly as something will strike you if you call me Red Top again she retorted calmly. Just stroll along there, child. I'm not 8 bit lonely and if am I'll call my own numbers, thank you
 She tucked a couple of large shell pins into her side braids and looked past Andy's head absently.
 The colonel expressed himself as l delighted over her aloofness. Even l to the colonel she was aloof. and he was owner of the St. Dimitri. She gazed past his handsome head quite as nonchalantly as she had past Andy's.
 Cad, sir" said the colonel hap oily. as he fingered over the after dinner cigar with the proprietor, Has well. Cad. sir, I rather think she'll stay. Fine girl, Haswell, soc good for the position. Beautiful hair. Perfect l profile. Wonder she isn't mobbed, but it's the manner that holds them of. She squelches man with one lock. Whats her name?'
 Ruth Hollister, sir"
 "Hollister, Hollister? Massaehu- setts? Used to be Senator Ben Hol- lister at Washington from Massaehu- setts when I was in the house. Fine chap. Cad, sir, I remember when that navy appropriation bill came up after the Japanese trouble"
 The colonel rambled of luxurious ly. leaning far back in his deep leath CT chair and rocking one foot. But when his cigar burned out he saun- tered down the long marble corridor to the telephone desk, and began with his very best Georgia manner
 q beg pardon. I'm sure, Miss Hollis ter I'm Colonel Congreve. I'm VOL dering if you could possibly be of the same family as my old friend. Senator Hcllister of Massachusetts,
 q don't think so. Colonel Con- greve.' came back clearly. even crisp ly T am from out West, near Omaha. We have no senators in our family yet. We're just first settlers"
 Omaha? God bless my heart. : murmured the colonel How did you ever get so far from homer"
 q was one of ten hundred thousand girls who imagine they can sing for grand opera in New York. got tired living on hopes and air; so learned this.''
 That night the colonel sat up on the roof garden, quite alone, long aft CT the crowd had gone. Just why one girls face should suddenly fill his world, he could not see. Yet all he had to do was to close his eyes and there rose before him the face of Ruth Hollister. Red Top, Ilaswell had said the boys called her. Glorious hair she had rich in tone as ripe chestnut. He wondered how he could help her. And the next day Haswell was told to promote Miss Hollister to the business department
 You see, Miss Hollister," he told her, T want to get up winter book let that will not only attract the very ! best advertisers, but the best patron age, too Nothing iamboyant. but neat and correct, you get me? Just work along with Allan here, and I think between you you can turn out a mighty fine thing" !,
 Allan smiled. He was the colonel's private secretary, and the two got to work over the new booklet. Ruth grew to love the work. And the colo nel bided his own time, satisfied to know she was drawing $95 week in- stead of SIP. with tidy little suite at the hotel thrown in for good meas ure. Around Christmas would be time enough, he thought. and he strolled over to the avenue one day and en- joyed himself supremely selecting diamond ring for her.
 The day before Christmas he came into the inner private office unexpect- edly and found Ruth standing by the window. gazing down at the park. while Allan talked to her. They did not notice the colonefs entrance, and he stood in silence listening. As he listened to the unreasoning. impetu- ous flood of speech the boy vas pour ing out to her-nothing but love. love. love, no mention of money or position. nothing but loye-he knew all at once that here was what she needed and he could not give it to her-young love in all it's splendor and divinity He went out noiselessly
 Later. Allan came to him. his clean shaven young face radiant with new confidence.
 T want you to be the first to know, sir" he said. Miss Hollister has promised to be my wife,
 You don't tell ne, Allan. we'll. well. said the colonel musingiy. fum- bling in his vest pocket so sine marries according to tradition here.