Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-01-26

have occurred to turn Babcock's anger
upon him. The simple fact of his
walking on Sixth avenue or any other
t~horoughfare during his incoming could
not account for this inquisition.
Then. all at once he remembered
Celia Hart had once said she had met
Skif Babcock several times. and liked
him.
Casey's face grew cold and hard.
1--WE an interest in you, Tim" said
Skiff with a sudden change of tone.
I'm obliged"
"Have you ever wanted to go into
the trucking business for yourself"
The younger mans face underwent a
brief change.
every man looks to lettering him.
SELF" he said warily.
"I'd let you have the old stable on
West street and three teams-Id give
EN- to you"
"What for?" demanded Casey bluntly.
Skiff dropped subterfuge and looked
his driver square In the eye.
you'll understand when I tell you
that I've made up my mind to marry
Celia Hart! Look what l can give her
diamonds, an autymobile. all the
money she wants to spend and a hired
girl to do her work. What can you
give her-eh?" His sneer could not
be suppressed. For the sake of the
girl | should think you'd step back,
Casey She's too fine to work herself
to the bone as the wife of a poor truck
driver. AS Mrs.. skin Babcock she'd
live like a lazy. You stand off and I'll
set you up in business-you're smart
and can stand where I do ten years
from now. You'll neve have another
chance"
Ashen faced, Casey stared back at
him.
"Ill not do iti' he muttered.
"What Is your price them" demanded
skiff impatiently. Name it and I'll
pay it."
"Me price?" stammered Casey. And
he seemed to ponder the question.
Eyes; your price. Name it and III
pay it, Skif smiled complacently.
Things were coming his way. He new
er had known this treatment to fail.
Every man has his price.
Suddenly Casey's head went up. "Me
price is this he said h~eavily-"me
price is this. Send for Celia Hart and
let her choose between u.s."
Skiff's smile faded. Its no way to
treat a lady. It'll scare her," he said
doubtfully.
"It's me price," reiterated Casey sui
lenly. Let her have the say. ! don't
want your job"
Skiff Babcock nodded shortly and
pulled the telephone toward him. He
called up the milliner's where Celia
Hart worked and asked that she be
sent at once in a taxicab to the Office
of the Skiff Babcock Trucking COM
pany, and then he sat back and waited
n%ervously for her coming.
Tim Casey leaned against the oppo-
site wall, white faced, with miserable
eyes.
What girl would hesitate at choosing
between the plump, well dressed and
sleeved truck driver?
He wished that he had knocked Skiff
down when the suggestion was first
made. But Celia ought to have a
chance to better herself. Celia was a
lovely, bright creature. and the best
was none too good for her. But was
Skiff Rabcock the best?
Celia should decide.
A half hour licked AWAY. and at last
a taxi drew up to the curb, and a slim.
black gowned form crowned with a
coral hat all askew flew into the office
and looked dazedly around.
"What's happened TO TimmyT" she
demanded breathlessly.
Then her eyes fell upon Tim Casey.
standing there so grim and silent, and
she ran to him and flung herself on his
breast.
"Ah. Jimmy, l thought you was
dead, or s~omethingt' she cried. What
is the matterY'
Skiff Babcock stepped into a small
adjoining room.
Tim Casey's great chest heaved, but
he did not unfold his arms to encircle
her.
Cecilia" he said hoarsely, you're
promised to me, and I'm a poor man.
But suppose there was another man.
rich and better'n me. Some one like
Skiff Babcock. Which would you
choose, Ell? Hes got an autymobile
and diamonds. andshis wife could live
like a lady"
Celia Hart shook his shoulder vigor-
ously. Tim Casey. | believe you're
sun struck or something, you act so
queer!'
"Would you, Cellar"
did you call me away from trim
ming my wedding hat-yes, sir, I'm
getting MY hat at Nine. Moriarty's,
with the best of 'em. and she set me
to trimming it myself. And ~you-called
me away from that to ask me would |