The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-17
CHAPTER II.

result OF that casual encounter with
the managing partner OF tho firm.
Ivy tho time she went TO work on
Monday morning she had almost
forgotten tho meeting in Gran
villa park.
II was. therefore. somsthing OF a
surprise 20 DO called into the office
Of the managing partner on Tues
day afternoon. Bunh's private stem
ugraphsr sat Mt her machine In one
corner.
Mr.. Bush turned from hia desk
at Hansi's entrance.
Miss welr." he aa.d. Il wish
you TO take some iettera-
HAZEL took tho dietation. wonder
ing mildly why she should be called
upon TO shoulder q part OF Nelly
Morrison's work.
she learned tho Significance OF II
the NEXT morning. however. when
the office boy told her she was
wanted by SIR. Bush. This time
when she entered Nelly Morrlson'a
place was vacant. Bush waved her
90 a chair.
"My-ah- dictation TO you yoster'
day was in the nature OF TROUT.
Miss Weir" he volunteered. "hiss
Morrison has asked 10 be trans
fcrr.d 10 our Midland branch Mr.
Allan recommended you think
you will manage II very nicely II
ah- have 40 objection 10 civ,
ing up IN. moro general work OF
the office for. this. The salary VIII
DO considerably more"
Thu. her new duties began.
Things moved along In routine
channels for two months before
Hazel became aware OF a subtle
change Ia the manner OF Mr.. Bush
The fret symptom was flowers.
dainty bouquets OF which began 10
appear on her dosk coincidcnt
WITH this, Mr. Bush evinccd an In
elination 20 drift into talk on sub
ieets uowise related tn business.
SO long as Mr.. Bunh confined
himself 70 sffable Conversation. 10
sundry gifts OF dollhouse flowers.
Hazel felt diainellncd 20 Fly from
shat was q, worst q possibility.
but Mr. Bush took her breath
away q, q time and ia a manner
totally unexpected. lie finished
debating batch OF letters ono
afternoon. and sat tapping on his
6sak with . pencil.
Hazel be said hiuniiy. win
you marry meY"
Miss Weir GAspsd- 'Mr. Busn!"
she protested
TIN in deadly earnest" he said.
'Tvs loved you ever since that sun
day I saw you in the park feeding
the swans. wani you to be my
~ifs WIN you7"
I'm awfuliy sorry" Hazel STAN
mered. why. you're" What
she cam. near saying. sas. You're
old enough TO be my father" but
she did not finish the sentence that
way. Il dont--oh. It's simply i'm.
possible. | couldn't think Of such
thing"
Perhaps I've surprised and con.
fused you by !mpulsiveness." he con-
tlnued. Seeing you dAy after dsy.
i've had 10 hold myself In check.
And man. only does that so long.
and no longer, Perhaps right now
you don't feel M do. but ] can
mako you love mo-
"You couldn't" Hazel answered
flatiy. Mr.. Bush was too Hure Of
hts powers. Il would have to love
man TO think OF marrying him
and I do. But you aren't the man.
I appreciate tho compliment OF
your offar, but ! can't marry you.
His face closded. You are en-.
gassdT"
Yes"
He got up and stood over her.
ITO some selfcentered cub--some
puny erotist In his twenties." he
cried. But you won't marry him.
won't let you"
Mrs woir rose Il think shall
20 home" she said steadily.
Bush stepped past her and snap.
ped the latch on the office door.
Il ahant permit H." he said pas
sionately. Girl. you don't seem to
realize what this means to me. !
wan, you-and I'm going to have
youi value you above any won
an have ever met Most women
that"
Most women would Jump at the
chance" Hazel interrupted. We'll.
I'm not most women. simply don't
care for you. Seeing that you do
feel that way. it's better that we
shouldn't be thrown together as We
are here. That's why I'm going"
II think you had better recon
slider that" he said. unless you
desire 10 lay yourself open to being
the most-talked.of young woman In
this town, where you were born.
where all your friends live"
THAT sounds like threat. MIR.
Bush. What do you meant"
Il mean just what | say. | will
admit that mine Is. perhaps. a self
fish passion. But | never stop
struggling for what ! want And |
never forgive or forget"
"Wcll?" Hazel was beginning TO
see side OF Mr.. Andrew Bush
hitherto unRuApecteu,
"Well2" he repeated. III you
drive me 10 II. you viii find your
self drawing the finger of gossip.
Also. you Will find yourself unable
TO secure n position In Granville.
Also, you may find yourself losing
the--er--regard OF this-ah--fortu.
nate individual upon whom you
have bestowed your affections; but
you'll never lose mine" he burst
out wildly. when you get done
butting your head against the wall
that will mysteriously rise In your
way. III be waiting for you. That's
how | love. I've never failed in
anything | ever undertook. and
don't care how fight, fair or foul
30 that ! win"
This isn't the fifteenth century
I ~ 4. -