The Washburn leader., 1916-02-11
RED TOP
BY KEITH KENYON.

that the first day she came on duty at
the st. Dimitri switchboard. The bell
hops and their captain looked her over
cautiously. She was not q 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.
mot 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 a
bit lonely and IL I am I'll call my own
numbers, thank you"
She tucked couple Of large shell
pins into her side braids and looked
past Andy's head absently.
The colonel expressed himself as
delighted over her aloofness. Even
to the colonel she was aloof, and ho
was owner Of the st. Dimitri. She
gazed past his handsome head quite
as nonchalantly as she had past
Andy's.
"Gad. sir" said the colonel hap.
PLY. as he fingered over the after.
dinner cigar with the proprietor, Has.
well. "Gad. sir, rather think she'll
stay. Fine girl, Haswell, too good for
the position. Beautiful hair. Perfect
profile. Wonder she isn't mobbed,
but it's the manner that holds them
of. She squelches man with one
lock. What's her name?"
Ruth Hollister, sir"
"Hollister, Hollister? Massachu.
sets? Used to be Senator Ben Hol.
lister at Washington from Massachu.
sets when I was in the house. Fine
chap. Cad, sir, 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.
er 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.
Il beg pardon, I'm sure, Miss Hollis.
ter I'm Colonel Congreve. I'm won.
dering If you could possibly be Of the
same family as my old friend, Senator
Hcllister Of Massachusetts,"
II don't think so, Colonel Con.
greve," came back clearly, even crisp
" II am from out West, near
Omaha. We have no senators in our
family yet. We're just first settlers"
Omaha? God bless my heart"
mdrmured the colonel. "How did you
ever get so far from home?"
Il 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; 80 learned
this.''
That night the colonel sat up on
the roof garden. quite alone. long aft
er the crowd had gone. Just why one
girls face should suddenly I'LL 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. Haswell
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, Il want to get up winter book
let that will not only attract the very
best advertisers. but the best patron
age, too. Nothing flamboyant, but
neat and correct. you get me? Just
work along with Allan here, and I
think between you you can turn out
Q 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
mel bided his own time, satisfied to
know she was drawing $35 week In
stead Of 312, with tidy little suite
et 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-.
ioyed himself supremely selecting a
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 colonel's entrance, and
he stood in silence listening. As he
listened to the unreasoning, impetu
Dus food Of speech the boy was pour.
Ing out to her-nothing but love, love,
love, no mention Of money or position,
nothing but love-he knew a1l at once
that here was what she needed and
he could not give it to her-young
love IN all its splendor and divinity.
He went out noiselessly.
Later, Allan came to him, his clean.
shayen young face radiant with new
confidence.
II want you to be the first to know.
SIR" he said. Miss Holliater has
promised to be my wife"
"You don't tell NE, Allan. well.