The Parker post., 1917-07-21

But the slightest touch brought
shrieks Of pain from the lady.
II don't think there are any bones
broken" said Ruth. II think it Is
just a sprain."
And she proceeded to bandage the
wrist in most efficient way. Next she
brought warm comforting drink to
her guest, and then announced she
would telephone for a doctor. The
lady acquiesced. Then she began to
inquire about the chauffeur. Ruth
ran out to see what had happened,
and was told he had been taken into.
the house opposite, and was rather
badly injured.
Poor Arthur! - exclaimed the lady.
Something must have gone wrong
with the steering gear. He tried to
turn out for a child that ran into the
road, and the next thing we were
crashing into a telephone pole. Some
one must telephone my husband.
Would you, please?"
"Certainly," said Ruth.
''Its the Alpha Insurance company
Mr.. Daniel Barkley."
| Isuth's fingers trembled so she could
scarcely keep the receiver to her ear.
She hoped Mrs. Barkley didn't notice
her agitation. Here was the one per-
| son who stood in the way Of her hus-
! bands advancement actually in her
hands. Well she had no feeling Of re-
venge, and it could not matter much
any way how she felt
Don't frighten him." said Mrs.
Barkley. "Just ask him to get here
as soon as possible"
Ruth obeyed instructions as far as
she thought proper; but the gentle
mans answer showed there would be
no time lost.
81 know that number pretty WELL"
! she smiled to her patient. "You see,
! It's my husbands Office" and she went
on to explain who she was and how
long and faithfully he had worked for
the company. Then she made bold
! stroke.
Eyes" she said, "Joe is wrapped up
| heart and soul in the interests of the
| business. He has always looked for
| ward to promotion when the time
| came-and now it has come"
"What do you mean?" asked the
| other with a kind of cold curiosity.
"Why, now that Mr.. Benson has
gone, Joe is the next in line for the po-
sition. I am so glad, because he de-
| serves it,"
"Why any more than some OthersT'
| Because of his faithfulness, his eff
:iency, his long service. Oh, it's only
simple Justice! The directors must
see it! If they don't"
"Well?" asked the other woman.
"Well, it will crush him. That's all
But no! They can't do it! They
won'tw
Mrs Barkley looked away and said
! nOthing.
Pardon me-" added Ruth. II don't
suppose you know anything about the
business. I should not have troubled
you. How is the wrist now? I must
wet that bandage again." and she
busted herself with the lotion.
When the doctor arrived he compli-
mented Ruth highly on her treatment,
even said he couldn't have done bet
ter himself Next came Mr. Barkley,
an austere, elderly gentleman, whom
| Ruth had never seen but once, but
who through the commendation of the
| physician. and the warm praises Of
Mrs. Barkley, became so friendly, eS-
| pecially when he found she was Short
! ap'S N-ifo that chn nPnSSa6 fn
range a date to dine with them. He
went out to see about the chauffeur,
| arranged to have him taken to the
! hospital, looked over the wrecked car,
and with the doctors permission put
! his wife into the automobile in which
| he came, and took her home.
| When Joe Shorter came home that
night he was greatly excited over
! Ruth's story He wondered what eff
feet his wife's plea would have on
| this woman. Perhaps she may have
aroused her resentment. But he did
not intimate this to Ruth. He loved
| her too devotedly for that. Well the
! next day would decide.
| Ruth did not happen to meet Joe
! the next day when he came home.
There was something on the stove she
| feared would burn. He came up quick
ly behind her, and took her In his
arms
"Darling!' he cried. "They gave it
| to me! The promotion! And you
did it,"
"No," she said very softly, with her
| head against his breast. "Our Father
| did it,"
Fish Enemy of Mosquitoes.