Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-15
CHAPTER Xxx, (contlnued).

Billy sighed heavily.
The efficiency man bent over one Of
the lower drawers in the desk. avert
ing his face.
what sort OF work is he going to
do, Mr.. Hedge? she asked.
"Oh, we hadn't reached that. Just
general talk, Miss Brooke
"W1ll he be an efficiency engineer:
Billy cast a look of scorn at his SIS
ter and a final scowl Of warning at RI.
Hedge. Then he stalked out Of the
library
Constance was puzzled. She knew
they were hiding something from her:
and she had misgiving that Billy had
been indiscreet.
as my brother really going to work,
Mr.. Hedge?" she asked, as she seated
herself at the opposite side OF the
desk and picked up pile OF report
cards.
"I-oh-no reason at all. OF course,
said Constance quickly. "Only-'
Il can do all this sort of stuff" add
ed her brother, with a grand wave OF
his hand in the direction of the filing
cases and the desk
"Oh, can your she challenged
DOu Uc lOO suiO, Di"1'
BET you | CAM
The efficiency man was studying the
manner in which her hair waved about
her ears and the singular steadlness
of her serene, gray eyes, so that TOR
the moment he did not answer. Then'
remembering, he reused himself.
"He wants to 60 to work he an
swered
That's encouraging, To work at
what:'
He offered to be my secretary
Really" This was subject Tor
thought, and Constance devoted a NJ
tie time to It, "Am-am | to be dis
charged, them"
Not while you are efficient" he as
sured her
And am I eficent?"
This was disconcerting even to an
eficiency man. particularly one who
has Just been warned by a big brother,
Medium he answered.
Constance frowned. She had expect
ed something better than that. and
wondered if the campaign had struck
snag. 1t is annoying to apply for a
reference and obtain only half-heart-
I'd one. AS for II. Hedge, he realized
that he must be cautious. The business
discipline of the Brooke household
was a thing to be maintained at all
costs.
II hate being medium" she said. as
she began checking up report card.
upon which Giovanni had noted the
presence Of clinkers In the coal. Il
want to be either very good or very
bad"
why such extremes?
Because being only medium is
colorless. Am colorless?
"Eh .-Who said so? MOI"
"Well, you inferred it. Then what
color am ~
Pink" said the efficiency man as he
watched her cheeks. And gray'-that
was for her eyes-"with dash OF
chestnut" He was looking at her hair.
"And some blue" 1t was her gown
now. And bit Of"
Constance glared at him.
81 didn't ask for an inventory" she
Interrupted sharply. "Or card index.
You're always putting down items to
be added
Fl. Hedge came nearer TO wearing an
expression Of despair than at any time
since his invosion Of the Brooke house
hold.
"Well. what on earth do you want'"
he demanded almost irritably.
Constance knew what she wanted.
felt angry at herself for wanting 1t.
and still angrier at the efficiency man
for not knowing what she wanted. She
wanted a compliment. She flushed, too
when she realized that perhaps she
had been guilty of fishing for one.
81 don't want ANYTHING. if you
please" she retorted. I'm busy with
the reports
He made gesture OF hopelessness
and became busy himself.
Constance did not remain in the
library long. After ten minutes or SO
she laid aside the report cards on
pretext and started toward the door
She was almost at the threshold when
the efficiency man called after her. in
a desperate voice:
You're the color of twenty-four-
carat gold"
She affected not to hear. and did not
turn her head in acknowledgment; H.
Hedge sighed and shook himself IT.
ritably.
well. how in blazes do know what
color she wants to be-" he muttered
Constance straightway sought her
brother. She proposed to have an ex-
PLANTATION Of something that disturbed
her mind.
What we're you talking to Mr.
Hedge about" she asked abruptly.
Work answered Billy. taking his
cue from the efficiency man.
She waved hand impatiently.
Were you talking about me?"
Billy hesitated and thus supplied an
answer.
who started it?' she questioned
swiftly. did he?"
Billy remained silent.
"Oh course not: knew he didn't"
Constance affirmed with nod. You
started it. What was it about?"
"You." answered Billy gruffly, thus
completing the circle.
well, what about me? What's
wrong with me? why do have to be
discussed? What business"
LOOK here" blurted her brother:
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