The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-07-12
PRESSING his SUIT
BY SYLVIA TURNER.

The telegram arrived about half an
hour after Fleming had sent out his
suit to be pressed. II was quarter Of
nine then. He had figured on quiet
evening nj the hotel going over his
new list of prospective customers for
the firm and starting out early In the
morning fit and groomed for the fray.
The wire was so like Caroline.
"Arrive 1922 p. m, Grand Central.
Evelyn also. Meet"
One Of the charms Of having an elder
married sister was this unexpectedness
Of her calls on one. And by slipping
In that bit about Evelyn Granger, she
had clinched the matter. She knew
that the only thing which could really
stir him to definite and swift action
was the chance Of seeing Evelyn. Yet
1t was now after nine, and he wore
a suit Of pajamas.
The boy who answered his prolonged
ring was dense. The one who had TAX
en- his suit was of duty for the night.
This one didn't know where the other
had taken the suit to be pressed. Any
way, all the tailoring places were
closed now. Fleming stared down at
him with deadly fascination, as the
boy made manifest the hopelessness Of
| the situation.
He could go to bed. He would have
a heavy cold, quick congestion, any
thing that necessitated great caution.
He called up the Office and ordered
some hasty drugs TO make showing
with. Tie took the heavy white blank
cts from the bed and piled the pillows
on the couch. drew the small stand
near and arranged his bottles around
temptingly. Then as 10 80 drew near,
and he knew 1t was time for their
arrival, he stretched out under the
covers, after phoning the clerk at the
desk TO tell Mrs. Henry Hardy, his sis
ter, when she arrived, that he was Ill
and to reserve the best suite for her
and Miss Granger.
Caroline received the message In
blank amazement.
as he very ill?" Mrs. Hardy asked.
The clerk was inclined to the opinion
that he was. His tone had been fever
ish and slightly delirious over the tele-
phone. He was just about to send the
hotel physician up.
"Oh, by all means send him up"
Caroline exclaimed. pneumonia is just
everywhere now. Perhaps I should
call I'D Doctor Hazelhurst, too. He is n
wonderful specialist, Evelyn. You
know what he did for Uncle Charles.
l think l WILL"
Evelyn waited anxiously while Doc
tor Hazelhurst was summoned.
ooh, yes, I got him. He's coming up
at once. Let's go up now. don't
know, Evelyn, but what I'll ask you to
go with me, I'm so unstrung and upse,
by this. Ken wouldn't mind, and he's
probably out Of his head anyway"
SO 1t happened that without being
announced save by a soft tap on the
door. Fleming's guests appeared sud
denly before him. He surely looked
wild-eyed and stunned. Mrs. Hardy
hurried to him tenderly and knelt be
side him.
Dear, dear old chap" she cried
Don't worry one bit. It's so fortunate
we came in time Are you very illT
Fleming remembered his role, anc
said he was. He tried to avoid Eve
lyn's appealing eyes. She had never
looked lovelier than now. In her brown
broadcioth travelling gown, with 4
wide-brimmed hat, and big bunch OF
violets at her belt. II he had had any
doubt before, 1t was swept away b!
the message her eyes sent to him.
do you know US, Ken, dear?" Caro-
line begged anxiously, smoothing bacl
his hair. ''You mustn't worry one bit
I shall stay right with you and Doctor
Hazelhurst is coming at once. VIII!
don't you go to bed? There's draf
here from that transom?"
She stepped into the inner bedroom
to investigate, and Fleming sat up
alert and calm, very calm.
Evelyn" he said, In a low tone
you'll understand. I'm not Ill. Tv'
sent my only suit out to be pressed
Can't you steer this beastly specials
J away from meT"
The telephone bell rang. Evelyl
stepped to the wall and took the re
ceiver down.
"Hello?" she called. "Yesf Oh
send him right up, please. Thank yol
so much. And-and when the docto
comes tell him Mrs. Hardy will see hin
downstairs"
She turned with a twinkle in he
eyes. a demure little smile on her lips
Its Tucker, the bellboy." she said
"He has parcel for you, Ken. Shall
We wait for you downstairsf I'm aw
fully hungry. We Just had a ligh
dinner before leaving and though
you'd go out to supper with us late
here ut the hotel. or wherever yol
wanted TO take u.s."
'In ten minutes" Fleming told her
exuberantly.
II took the full ten minutes to max,
adequate explanations to Caroline
likewise to the keen-eyed old doctor
when he arrived. And later, wher
! Fleming found his opportunity, II wa,
an odd proposal Of marriage he made
| lontS t.tSt hA