The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-17
BY BETTY BROWN.

when the office boy told her she
was wanted by Mr.. Bush. This
time when she entered Nelly Nor
rison's place was vacant. Bush
waved her to a chair.
! Decentralization to You yes
terday was in the nature of a
tryout. Miss Weir" he volunteer
ed. Miss Morrison has asked to
be transferred to our Midland
branch. Mr.. Allan recommend
ed you. think you will manage
it very nicely if you-ah- have
no objection to giving up the
more general work of the office
for this. The salary will be con-
siderably more"
Thus her new duties began.
Things moved along in routine
channels for two months before
Hazel became aware of a subtle
change in the manner of Mr..
Bush.
The first symptom was flowers,
dainty bouquets of which began
to appear on her desk. Coinei-
dent with this, Mr. Bush evinced
on subjects nowise related to
an inclination to drift into talk
business.
So long as Mr.. Bush confined
himself to affable conversation,
to sundry gifts of dollhouse flow
ers, Hazel felt disinclined to Ely
from what was at worst posi-
bility.
But Mr.. Bush took her breath
away at a time and in a manner
totally unexpected. He finished
debating a batch of letters me
afternoon. and sat tapping on his
desk with pencil.
Hazel" he said bluntly, will
you marry ms?"
Miss Weir gasped. "Mr. Bush."
she protested.
I'm in deadly earnest" he
said. I've loved you ever since
that Sunday saw you In the
park feeding the swans. want
you to be my wife. Will you?"
I'm awfully sorry" Hazel
stammered. why, you're"
What she came near saying, was,
You're old enough to be my
father" But she did not finish
the sentence that way. "I don't
oh, it's simply impossible. Il
couldn't think of such q thing"
Perhaps I've surprised and
confused you by impulsiveness,"
he continued. Seeing you day
after day, I've had to hold my
self in check. And a man only
does that so long, and no longer.
Perhaps right now you don't feel
as / do, but l can make you love
me-"
s'You couldn't" Hazel answer
ed lfatly. Mr.. Bush was too sure
of hsi powers. 81 would have to
love a man to think of marrying
him-and I do. But you aren't
the man. appreciate the COM
pliment of your offer, but l can't
marry you"
His face clouded. you are en-
gaged?"
Yes"
He got up and stood over her.
ITO some self-centered cub--some
puny egotist in his twenties," he
cried. But you won't marry
him. l won't let you'll"
Miss Weir rose. 'T think l
shall go home" she said steadily.
Bush stepped past her and
snapped the latch on the office
door. 81 shan't permit IT," he
said passionately. Girl, you don't
seem to realize what this means
to me. l want you-and I'm go
ing to have you! l value you
above any woman I have ever
met. Most women that"
Most women would jump at
the chance" Hazel interrupted.
well, I'm not most women.
simply don't care for you. See
ing 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"
Il think you had better recon-
slider that" he said, unless you
desire to lay yourself open to be-
ing the most-talked-of young wo-
man In this town, where you were
born, where all your friends
live"
THAT sounds like a threat, Mr..
Bush. What do you mean?"
II mean Just what l say.
will admit that mine is, perhaps,
a selfish passion. But I never
stop struggling for what / want.
And I never forgive or forget"
"Well?" Hazel was beginning
to see a side OF Mr.. Andrew Bush
hitherto unsuspected.