The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-31

be interested 1t will be big thing for
Ithe. man who accomplishes 1t. Yor
could help me out IL you would. Just
nsk her to see me. That would be
simple thing for you to do. and 1t
might mean so much to me-"
The girl wrinkled her brows perplex-
IDLY do l understand this to be an
affair of the heart ?" she Knocked. "If
so Miss Fleming might not be entirely
Ibdurate. She has been quoted by one
Of your papers as searching for soul
nate So II that is the CASE The
,irl slipped gracefully down from the
wall
1.-The Lord forbidw calculated Billy.
I'm pretty anxious for this interview,
but not desperate enough to propose to
a female encyclopedia in order to get
1t. Pardon me-" he added hastily. ~
| forgot she was your aunt"
The girl waved her hands. "Oh,
don't mind u.s." she said sweetly.
We're used to reporters. That's why
we like yellow cats!"
Billy's lugubrious face frightened
visibly as he looked at her standing
before him. you are a good deal old
or than you seemed up there upon the
WALL" he conceded.
The girl nodded. "Yes," she repeat
ed seriously, "a good deal older"
For moment she stood studying
his good natured, disappointed face,
then impulsively seated herself at his
side. Maybe" she suggested, 'just
maybe, you know, could answer
few of those questions of yours with
out disturbing my aunt"
YOU" Billy's brows went up in
credulously.
She nodded. 81 always 20 over my
aunt's copy as it comes from the ma.
chine
Breathlessly Billy grabbed at pencil
and paper. ITS a COMPOUNDED sub
ject to get at" he said alphabetically,
but I'll do my best from these in
structions."
Lets see," interrupted the girl. And
in moment it was her pencil that was
flying across the pages of Billy's note
book.
There" she said at last raising a
sparkling, glowing face. THAT covers
the subject pretty well. think And
now"-with q childish movement she
held the book behind her back-"prom-
Use before | give it to you, solemnly
promise, that you won't open this,
won't read a word Of 1t, till you are
back In the Office"
IT'S some trick, them" said Billy
sadly. II knew it was too good to
be true"
Promise" demanded the girl. my
hand on It," she added quickly.
Billy glanced into the teasing, tempt
ing eyes. down at the little proffered
hand. then surrendered.
Gross your heart" laughed the girl
Gross my heart" said Billy.
Over the soft hand be held close In
his own he saw suddenly woman's
erect form approaching, o woman with
fine, intelligent features and white.
severely brushed hair.
Blushing cOnfusedly. the girl with
drew her hand, leaving in its place the
reporters book.
"Auntie," she said. III be with you
directly
"Goodby," she added meaningly as
with new hopefuness Billy waited.
"GoOdby." the girl repeated and, pick
Ing up her yellow cat, passed swiftly
through the garden gate.
Dazedly Billy glanced after them.
THE WITCH" he muttered. "What nom
sense has she scrubbed in that book?
Nothing to do with the case, Of course.
Billy Atkins, you've been cleverly dis
posed Of, and just when you might
have landed real copy"
But there was his promise. Jove!
He could still feel the firm clasp Of
that little hand. A very pleasant and
heretofore unknown sensation trem-
bled about the region of Billy's honest
heart.
"Jovew he murmured again and
laughed softly.
What luck?" cried Brothers as Billy
tried to pass unseen into the seclusion
Of his Office. He must read her mes
sage alone. Half an hour later he
rushed about wildly. his voice trium-
plant.
What iuck?" he cried. What luck?
Well. just about the best ever. Full
and comprehensive article, personal
touch. too because Ii was written by
the lady herself"
"Oh. come off, jcered Brothers, but
Billy was back I'm his room reading
again personal postscript.
You're to be congratulated" he read,
upon having this enlivening article
direct from the pen Of the author, for
poor little | am the author. Aunt is
only my amanuensis. | couldn't help
it, could |, because you got us mixed?
I'm doing this to make up for my dis
agreeable remark as to the preference
for cats and here's hoping for that
promotion. Yours. Helene Fleming"
Billy closed his eyes in smiling rem
iniscence, then rushed to the phone.
MAY I come out tonight" he begged
his unseen listener, ito try at least to
speak my gratitude?"
There was silence for q moment.
Unless" he added humbly, you still
have preference for yellow cats7'
"If," answered Miss Fleming sweet
w ssyOu can ovorcomo vo,rr avoroiov,