Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-12
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER eERiAL STONY.
~ "A J. RATH.
Author Of when the Devil Was
9icA," -ons-Cytio1er eam." stc.
CHAPTER XIII, Continued.

fO-->@
strong. Sit where you are: don't dare
to move. I'll bs back in half q min
ute"
He rushed from the library, and she
heard him running down the hall. She
sat there, powerless, even though her
instinct was to fly from the house and
escape the mailman. A pity he was
mad, she found herself thinking-a
pity, because in his madness H. Hedge
seemed almost sublime. Certainly he
was superhuman. There was some
thing fine and spirited in his frenzy.
something SO utterly different from the
efficiency man that Constance, even
in her awe. was compelled to admire.
From another part of the house she
heard an echo Of heavy blows. Heav-
ems! H. Hedge was KILN. some
body!
Then a sound Of rapid footsteps, and
he was again in the library, wild
light Of triumph in his eyes. He flung
the poker into a corner and laughed
joyously.
ITS DONE" he announced. That's
a bully poker"
, Constance questioned him with ter
rified eyes.
Yes. it's done. The time clock is
dead-all the wheels and insides
spilled out on the floor"
The girl in the chair breathed again.
There had been no murder in the
Brooke mansion.
Nobody IL ever punch that clock
again, after the wallop I gave it." he
cried happily. Busted the dial at the
first crack. Looks as IT, it had been
shot up with n 42-centimeter gun.
Mary Is reviving Elvira-she tainted"
He paused for an instant. then
rushed forward. seized Constance by
the wrist, dragged her from the chair
and whirled her across the room.
"Sit down." he ordered, pointing to
the little office chair that stood at the
typewriter desk.
She obeyed. trembling.
Stick in a sheet of paper"
Mechanically she followed his In
structions.
Now take this:
Economy & Efficiency Corporation.
New York City, New York
Got that?" he demanded. "Good.
NOW, go dhead:
Gentlemen:
II resign.
God that? Right! Now:
Don't send anybody In my place. If
you do I'll bust him over the head.
yours truly.
That's all. Let's see. Here-I said
bust not burst Change it. There
that's correct. Now address an envel-
ope. Thanks. And now put In an
other sheet"
Constance did as hidden. in terror Of
the mailman.
Take this:
Dear sir:
mo- wait minute. Scratch out
the Dear Sir That's it. Now:
Dear Henry:
Did you hear me say Dear HenryT
Write 1t, then! Young woman, who's
debating this letter? All right, then.
Dear Henry:
II resign my job as secretary, to
take effect as soon as can write my
name under
Yours affectionately-"
Constances cheeksflamed and her
fingers became paralyzed after the
Yours"
GO on! Write 'affectionately," he
ordered menacingly. You take orders
until you sign that. You're still my
secretary Write!"
I'm not your secretary" she de-
clared passionately. at last finding her
voice. "You've-you've resigned your
self"
Mot until I sign It," he cried.
Write 'affectionately'!"
With trembling fingers she wrote
-affectionately
"Good!" exclaimed H. Hedge as he
dragged her back to the big desk.
Now sign"
He dipped a pen and thrust it into
her hand.
"Sign!"
She signed.
He snatched the pen from her fingers
and signed the other letter. in a bold,
scrawling hand.
There! That ends the business
the efficiency part. You resign; l re-
sign. It's all off. Now we're ready to
take up the other matter. Here-where
are you going? Not much; sit right
where you are-Connie. Don't forget
that you are mine 'affectionately."
Constance sank back and stared at
him. As she did so. the wild look faded
from his eyes. and he smiled at her.
"Now, Connie" he said, seating him.
self on the desk and looking down at
her. I'm sorry II scared you. but It
had to be done. Tn not crazy; I've
just become sane. I've chopped six
years of efficiency out OF my life and
I'm beginning all over again."
Last night" said H. Hedge. you
turned the lights out on me. I don't
blame you. was still an efficiency
engineer. I'm Just plain Henry now.
and as such I'm entitled to q hearing.
I love YOU"
Constance watched him curiously.
He was utterly unlike the efficiency
man. Somehow, his dark eyes had
changed. They were ardent. They
carried an appeal that even his voice
Ia Iw "a