Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-26
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY.
BY Il ]. RATH.
Author OF when the Devil Was
Sick" One Cylinder Sam" etc.

Its Constance! he exclaimed.
Never had the efficiency man called
her that before.
Yes, it's Il"
You might have had bad fall" he
chided. The front stairs are better
lighted"
II chose the back ones" she retorted.
You re unusually early this morn
ing
Possibly"
II. Hedge seemed willing to prolong
the conversation.
It's not eight yet" he remarked.
II know it."
Didn't you drop something's
of course
I'll go down and get 1t for YOU" But
he made no move.
Don't bother. I'll get it."
But insist
Not"
He paused and considered.
It's a nice morning" he observed ir-
relevantly.
II believe So"
Going for Walk"
"Yes-no."
why not say 'perhaps'-you get the
Constance was becoming anxious.
She knew that Tommy Treadwell and
his blue roadster We're waiting below in
the courtyard.
Let me CO." she exclaimed.
Up to that point she had been too
bewildered to notice that there had
been no change in their positions since
II. Hedge interrupted her headlong
plunge.
Not until you let me CO." answered
the efficiency man. And then may
be-"
With a little cry of dismay she olsen
gagged her arms from his neck.
Let me co. she repeated.
Temporarily or permanently" he
asked with great elaboration.
"B- both!"
H. Hedge shook his head sadly.
Il never could do two things at
once" he said. It's unscientific even
to try"
''Please-plnse!"
In that case, temporarily he de-
clared, as he reluctantly withdrew the
arm that held her close.
Constance's cheeks were fiery; she
prayed that the gloom of tho back
stairs rendered all colors neutral
Thank you-for catching me-" she
said coldly. as she passed him.
Thank you-for falling he re
marked happily, as he watched her
finish the descent of the staircase.
For nearly a minute he stood there,
gazing downward. He had seen Con-
stance retrieve her grip and then haSi-
ly make her way toward the back door.
He heard 1t close behind her. H. Hedge
was puzzled.
Out In the courtyard stood road
ster, the engine idling wheezily Tom
my Treadwell was standing behind it,
nervously tapping on the fender. His
eyes lighted with happiness as he
sighted the furred figure of Constance
and he sprang forward to assist with
the grip.
You dear old brick!" he cried
Morning, Tommy" said Constance.
She said it cordially enough, yet with
out that tender enthusiasm which
ought to mark the salutation of
bride to- be. Constance was Hurried
and preoccupied. Her mind was on the
affair of the staircase-and H. Hedge.
Why did he poster her so? And yet.
# he hadn't been there Well, If he
hadn't been there, she wouldn't have
dropped the grip!
Tommy had seized the grip and swung
1T up on the baggage carrier in the
rear. where he began an adjustment
of the straps. Meantime, Constance
stepped in and settled herself nervously
in one of the bucket seats
The efficiency man arrived in the
courtyard while Tommy was still work
ing at the grip. AS Constance sighted
him. she observed with a sinking heart
that he was clothed In one of his omi-
nous Gains.
Good morning" he said, as he
walked across the open space.
Constance paled slightly and did not
answer. Tommy Treadwell fumbled flu
riously at a strap and said nothing.
II. Hedge reached the side OF the car,
leaned over, pressed button on the
dash and turned off the ignition. The
engine stopped.
You let that car alone!" called Tom
my angrily.
"All right; WILL" said the efficiency
man. stepping back a pace and eying
Constance.
Tommy finished with the grip and
came around to the side of the car.
.Wellef asked Hedge.
'Well?" ask ed Tommy.
whats the idea?"
The clippers exchanged swift glances
and Tommy became emboldened.
''Wel II 1t will give you any satisfac-
ton to know" he announced, Connie
and l are going to be married"
You surprise me-" said the efficien
cy man. Il thought we had concluded
that matter last night
You thought wrong. It's all set
tied"
True: it's settled. Miss Brooke is
not going TO marry you"
Tommy flushed a dull red and there
was fighting look in his eye.
Are you Miss Brooke?" asked
Hedge.
IN