Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-07
Too Much Efficiency
Continued from page rour,)

first time" said the efficiency man to
himself, as he reached his desk, Ito
what an appalling extent inefficiency
our whole social structure. This at
fair is at once shocking and illumin-
ating. Getting engaged! Bah! Why
in Heavens name two apparently
sane people spend such an amount of
time and energy in concluding
the simplest form Of contract in the
whole world is beyond my comprehen-
sion. / said 1t could be handled in
ten seconds; in reality five would be
amply sufficient Here is case for
Standardization, II ever one was"
He began writing on a sheet of pa
per.
Il suppose, however he unused,
that Ruth was entirely justified in
endeavoring to escape, not having the
least idea of Franks intentions 1t is
well that arrived and pointed the way
to solution"
Presently Horace entered, and the
efficiency man handed him paper, to
be duly posted 1t said:
Frank and Ruth to marry. APP
proved.
(signed) Fl. HEDGE.
Horace glanced at the bulletin and
coughed deferentially.
They're wanting to keep it Sc
cret, sir he ventured.
"A secret" echoed 1.-The efficiency
man. For how long ?S
Il couldn't say sir. But you know
how it is with girls, sir. They just
sort of like to Oh. you know, sir"
ut is evident that l am beginning
to find out. OF course, 1t is absurd.
secret For what good reason?
It's nonsense. I shall probably order
them married next week. However,
do as you please with the notice"
II. Hedge dismissed the butler with
an impatient wave of his hand. Hor-
ace bowed his way out and. having
reached the hall, carefully folded the
paper and tucked 1t into his pocket.
Horace. being of mature years and
benevolent disposition, felt an indul-
gence toward youth. Let them have
their secrets if they wanted to.
But in the kitchen he found 1t was
no secret. Mary. her hands on her
hips, was surveying two young peo-
pie. whose guilt was stamped on happy
faces.
80 tbs done at last, Is tt" she OBJ
served. May God give the two av
you sinse. we've been palaverin' an
meanderin' for this year past. till I'm
sick an sore watchin' the pair av ye.
An now ye're gettin' marrid. Frank,
l1,atr DYth ,osr
Come here, the two av yez. an kiss an
ould woman"
In the library that evening H. Hedge
was in a strangely preoccupied mood.
Billy was out somewhere. probably at
a poker party. Alice, still oppressed
by the ten clock rule. had retired to
her room. Constance alone represent
ed the Brooke family. She was sitting
with her feet on the fender, book in
her lap. but her eyes staring idly into
the dancing flames of the driftwood
fire.
The efficiency man rose abruptly
from his desk. after drawing several
diagrams on a pad, and approached
the fireplace.
"A most ridiculous affair happened
this afternoon" he said.
Constance looked up.
ut concerned Frank and Ruth"
Are they engaged?" she asked.
"Why, yes. How did you know"
"Oh, I've been expecting It," she an
swered carelessly.
II. Hedge pondered that announce
ment in evident surprise.
AT any rate" he said. Il Fortunate
ly arrived In time to bring the matter
to a conclusion. 1t was one of the
worst cases of .inefficiency ever
saw"
Truly"
Constance looked interested.
Clearing" he affirmed.
How"
H. Hedge told hep She watched
the blue and green flames during the
recital, and seemed to find something
amusing in them. She had to watch
something: she did not dare venture
a glance at the face of Fl. Hedge.
1T was very nice of you to consent"
she assured him gravely, as he eon-
cluded the matter.
mot at ALL" ne answered brusi<ly.
II had no objection whatever to tho
end sought to be obtained. objected
only to the method"
He took to pacing for a while, max
ing quick trips back and forth across
the library. Presently she became
aware that he had stopped behind her
chair.
'Connie!"
Ito be continued).)