Smyrna times., 1917-05-02
MIR. kNNESLEY'S NAP
BY JOAN BUeBY.


hOmeW
"'BOut fOur-maybe half-past"
"YOu look it!'
"Just how?"
'Seedy. You need sleep."
Il know it," he groaned. "I wish to
thunder the governor was at home. I'd
sleep all day. But here I've to go to
that blame store and be tormented for
ten hours"
tits your own fault. You should
have come home earlier"
1T wasn't my fault. 1 took Myrtle
to the dance and she wouldn't think
of leaving. 1 was nearly dead"
"LOOk here, BERTHE. You've got to
pull yourself together. Peggy Brice is
coming today and I'm counting on you.
In the first place, can't you meet her
at three and come home early?"
Il might manage it, sis; but I'll have
to have some sleep somehow. Three
did you say?"
"Three-five at the Pennsylvania sta
tion. No use describing her. Just
pick out the prettiest girl you see."
'rll find her."
So Bert went to the store and called
| Johnny Stebbs, who had two rows of
brass buttons down the front of his
diminutive jacket.
"JOhnny, it's up to you whether I get
a nap or not. Two good solid hours
So if any of those people come, drum.
mers, you know, tell them I'm dead,
and don't let them view the remains,
either. If they insist, send them to
BarlOwe or Martin"
'Yes, sir !"
"Here's a dollar. Now you stay by
that outside door and don't let anyone
in."
In two minutes Bert was snoring.
But the anterOom was very warm,
and Johnny was very tired.
And then-as fairies come when
folks are asleep-she camel
She was pretty and little and taste.
fully dressed, and she carried a
satchel. She asked for Mr.. Annesley's
office and was directed politely. She
opened the door of the anterOOm with
it's two rows of highbacked seats fac
ing each other and to her surprise
found only a small boy asleep.
On the door opposite was the word
'Private." She opened the door. A
snOre greeted her. Turning, she saw
asleep. She had intruded unwittingly
and started to tiptOe out.
But her bag knocked against a
chair. Mr.. Annesley sat up instantly,
seeing someone in the room he sprang
to his feet.
"Who did that?"
The girl was backing frightened into
a corner. "I-Pm afraid 1 did"
"This is a - Of a place where q
fellow can't have two minutes peace
without someone butting in and hall
killing him besides. Who let you in2'
"No one. just came"
where's Johnny? I told him tt
keep everybody out"
"The little boy? Oh, he was tired
too. He was asleep, poor little fellow
I'm so sorry I upset that chair. i
was stupid and awkward of me-"
But Bert did not notice her haltinl
confusion, for he was having a ba(
time on his own account.
81 beg your pardon, most humbly,'
he said, getting redder by the minute
ST thought you were selling some
thing, you see. VIII you please for
give meT
''It's all right" she laughed merrily
having recovered her own equilibrium
''rve had enough fun out of it to NOR
than make up for the other. And now
Mr.. Annesley, if you'll kindly tell IN
how to get to your house TIL be yer
much obliged. I'm Peggy Brice.
came earlier than I intended, an
haven't an idea how to go. Your stOr
being so near to the station, though
I'd come in and inquire"
And thenI And this is really whs
the story is all about, but it Onl
takes a minute to tell it, although
affected the lives of two people fC
all time. The very thing Peggy wa
blushing about, a little card, had
some manner slipped to the floor. Sh
stopped, and Bert stopped at I'll
same time, but he got it. And it wf
his own picture!
She looked wretched and ready
cry. And he looked at her long, lor
time in a very odd way. And his hea
seemed to go along with the look an
to stay, for he never had eyes for al
other girl after that.
And Johnny, whimpering and scare
to death because he had slept at Il
switch and wrecked the peace of b
employer, nearly fell dead when M
Annesley, going out with a pretty gil
gave him another dollar.