Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-07-07

right way at the right time. And you
wouldn't think of offering partner
ship to tract or preacher"
"Betsy-Barbarai" called Tommy
again. And on that name, uttered all
too gently for the address of stern
employer to an inexpert stenographer.
he rose and crossed to her side. Some
how she did not protest-although she
continued to look down on the keys.
Her fingers stopped.
Tommy gulped; and his first words.
as he settled on the stool at her side.
were far from his original Intention
and further still from strict business.
around with that poor devil Of an Es-
trilla?"
''If wanted to be impertinent. I'd
ask how that concerns you." replied
Betsy-Barbara, saucily. "Well-be-
cause liked him. suppose"
do you remember" Tommy pur-
sued, "the last time I got drunk-the
last time 1 ever willi"
"The shoe-buckle night7 Yes"
you never knew why. of coursel"
said Tommy. DO you remember
some one coming into the front hall
and going right out again2 That was
l. You were sitting-I saw you look
ing at him-I thought"
you didn't think right" responded
Betsy-Barbara- She paused while the
truth in her struggled against woman's
instinct to use strategy In that
branch of human activity which is
woman's chief business. The truth
won.
That's funny. You saw me when
was nearer-well, liking him-than I
ever was before or after. He was a
dear. You couldn't help being amused
and flattered by him-but nothing
else"
why didn't you like him. really
what held you back?"
p Betsy-Barbara pulled over the car
riage for another line-not with a Jerk
this time, but slowly and softly. At
the same languid pace. she resumed
striking the keys.
DO you call this business7" she
very weakly
Tommy North laid a hand upon hers.
stilling the keys under her fingers.
"Betsy-Barbara. this is business. II
was talking partnership. didn't
mean that kind. You know-oh, blazes
Il meant-why did brace up and go
to work. anyhow 1t was because
you'll love you-there. that's outi"
Betsy Barbara, her hand still help
less between the keys and his greater
hand, raised her face. II she had
shone before with elfn light, she
shone now with the light of many
angels. The sheen and glitter Of her
hair. the fire of her eyes. the sparkle
of her little teeth behind her parted
lips-all the glory which makes stars
and systems and beasts and the gen.
erations of men-illuminated and
transformed Betsy-Barbara- An In
stant so. and that light faded. The
elfin light shone again. And
Tommy North" she eaid. ARE you
proposing to me right in business
hours? Get back to your seat! Your
answer will be transmitted to you In
business FORM"
There was hope and yet wonder
ment in Tommy's face as he obeyed.
Betsy Barbara tweaked the sheets
from the roller. inserted a new page.
and began to type very fast-for her.
She finished. She was suffused with
color as she drew out the page and
laid 1t on Tommy's desk. He turned
to read; and Betsy -Barbara's hand
brushed his cheek ever SO lightly.
"mR ThomaswNorth;
dear sir:
your pro positiin is accept
ed and trust that the ensuig partner
ship will be long adm prosperous
'yurs sincerely
"ElizabethLane."
"Business forms must be maintained
even in this solemn and awful mo-
ment." said Betsy-Barbara.
We'll, there's one thing about being
high cop that's worth while." re-
marked Martin MCGEE. you certainly
do get swell attention in lobster PAL
ace"
Inspector MCGEE. In his dinner coat
and his diamonds. sat in the preferred
corner farthest from the music. Rosa
lie, reigning opposite in two thousand
dollars worth of diamonds, eight hun
dred dollars worth of clothes, three
hundred dollars worth OF massage.
and a hundred dollars worth of hair
dressing and hat, followed with smiling
eyes a wave of agitation which ran
from waiter to waiter until it broke at
the door. in a spray Of Italian-Swiss-
French gestures. against the head walt
er and majordomo. The lady with In