The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-01-04

not account Tor this iuauisltinn
Iirn. 40 at once he remembered
Celia Hart had once said she had me,
SLIT Eabcock several times. aud liked
him
Casets face grew cold and hard
I've nm interest In you, Tim" said
sE!r with i Sudden change OF tone.
I'm obliged
"Haye YOU ever wanted 10 60 into
the trucking business for yourselfT'
The younger mans face underwent n
brief change.
EVERY man looks TO bcttering him
sclf' be said warily.
"l'd let yan haze thc old stable on
West street and three tcams-rd give
cm u you
what fory demanded Casey buntly
sGlT dropned subierfuee and looked
bis driver square IN the eye.
"Yonl understand when tell You
THAT I've made up my mind TO marry
Celia Hart Look what can give her
diamonds. an autymoSle. all the
money she wants TO spend and hired
2irl 10 DO her work What can you
,lyr nor cht" His sheer could not
te suppressed eFor the sake OF the
airl / shoad think you'd step back.
Casey! She's too fine 20 work herself
10 the bone as the vie Of q poor truck
arrcr IS Mrs SEif Babeock she'd
I've HE lady You stand of and III
set You 90 IN bnslness-yon'r smart
and en- stand where do ten years
from now You'll never have another
chance
Ashcn faced Casey stared back at
him
I'll not do g." he muttcred
"Nhat IS your price Them demanded
Skin impatlcntly. Name it and I'll
pay H."
me pricef' stammered Casey. And
he seemed 10 ponder the question,
Yes your price Name It and III
pay ~ S'dG smiled complacently
THINGS were coming his way. He nev
ef had Known this treatment to fail.
Every man has his price.
Suddenly Caseys head went up. ME
price is ths," he said hcavily-"me
urico IS this Send for Celia Hart and
let her choose between us "
SliTs smile faded Its no way to
treat lady tn scare her" he said
,louAtfnIly
"lt's me price" reiterated Casey sui.
cnly Let her have the say. ! don't
want your Job"
SliG Eahcock nodded shortly and
pulled the telephone toward him. lie
called w the milliner's where Celia
Hart worked and asked that she be
sent ut once in taxicab to the Office
Of the Shif Babcock Trucking com.
pany, and then he sat back and waited
nervously 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
obviously rich proprietor and the shirt
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 Babcock the best?
Celia should decide.
A half hour licked away, and at last
a taxi drew up to the curb. and slim,
black gowned form crowned with a
coral hat all askew flew into the office
and looked d1Zedly around
whats happened to Timmy?' 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. thought you was
dead. or something she cried. What
is the matterT'
SlIiff Babcock stepped into a small
adjoining room.
Tim Casey's great chest heaved, but
he did not unfold his arms to encircle |
her.
Celia" he said hoarsely. you're |
promised TO me. and I'm poor man
But suppose there was another man. |
rich and better'n me. Some one like |
Skiff Babcock. Which would you |
choose. oh; He's got an autymobile I
and diamonds. and his wife could live |
like lady"
Celia Hart shook bis shoulder vigor- |
ofsly. Tim Casey. believe you're /
run struck or something. you act so
queeri"
Would you. Celiaf"
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 EN-. and she set rue 1
TO trimming 1t myself And yon called /
me away from that to ask me would
marry Skiff Babcock"
Yes
We'll. you can take It from me that
wouldn't" declared Miss Hart emphat
Icaily. mot If he rode in ten anty