South Bend news-times., 1918-05-17

passed her friend az the pattern
counter, oatting her already sleek
coiffure and dropping her heavy
lashed lids with a conscious half
smile.
Ada. her friend. smiled tolerant
ly. "Spied the new man first thing.
for all your hurry" she remarked.
But 1 wouldn't call him a hick ex-
actly."
Rubie shrugged a shoulder.
Il didn't have time 10 be exact.
IL was just an impression OF
course. you've been here longer"
Ada flushed under the taunting
tones. Il guess I've had something
10 do besides looking across the
aisle. Rubie Wentz. leave that
pleasant pastime for somebody else.
"Oh, la, la! I'm it. Never mind
being subtle, Ada" Rubie's reply
was good natured. She was rather
proud Of her reputation for CO.
quetry; and even now her bright
dark eyes were flashing up and down
the length OF the sunlighted depart
ment.
More than one pair Of masculine
eyes responded TO her darting morn
ing greeting; but one pair fingered
languishingly. They belonged 20
Mr.. Gibson Of the linen section op-
posite And beside his dapper.
smartly dressed figure the large.
Muscular form of the new clerk ap-
peared heavy and rather graceless
He wore a commonplace suit Of
gray and a carelessly tied cravat Of
neutral color. His hair had a red
dish tinge and rose stuObOrnly from
crooked part. Quite a contrast to
the well groomed and precise Mr.
Gibson. Rubie thought: and yet the
stranger was not without a certain
rugged attractiveness. Only he was
not susceptible. Rubie resentfully
recognized this fact after a long
distance investigation of the cool
depths Of steady gray blue eyes un-
der bristling brows
1T takes a country boy TO stare
you down like chat" she reflected
vexatiously. "He has rather nice
eyes, too. l won't look at him again,
and see how he likes that"
Apparently quite uncOncerned as
TO whether Miss Rubie Wentz look
ed at him or not. the new clerk went
through his first day of duty in the
linen section. The next day passed
in much the same way, and the day
following. Then Mr.. Gibson met
Miss Rubie Wentz outside the store
after closing time.
Saturdays our night out. you
know" he reminded her with a
touch OF tenderness. "and I wonder
If you'd mind making it a party of
| four? Mr.. Ely-the new man. you
know is lonesome, and he wants to
go along. Said he wanted to meet
your friend"
"Who-Ada?" Rubie's dark eyes
stretched in surprise. Then she
laughed airily TO cover her ruffled
feelings. mo doubt, Miss Kirk
would be pleased TO show your
friend a glimpse of city life"
ooh, l know he isn't your style, "
said the dapper Mr.. Gibson. almost
apolOgetically; but Ely's rather a
nice chap. and not exactly a stranger
ih our city, either"
'No?" returned Rubie Indifferent
~. NO doubt ne and Miss Kirkll
get on famously together"
I'VE should worry" whispered
Mr.. Gibson with a fatuOus smile.
But his companion seemed TO be
suddenly absent-minded.
Mr.. Ely and Miss Kirk did appear
TO get on famously together from
the first moment Of their meeting.
And the next morning. Rubie
hOunced pertly TO her place behind
the patterns.
'In take back all | said about
Mr. Elys being slow. Ada she said.
after a brooding silence on her part.
But. Of course, with the encourage
ment he got last night"
What did l do? asked Ada innO-
Gently; but her eyes were twinkling
/ She flashed a glance across the
aisle; and the new man, standing
/ idly there at the moment. caught
the glance and actually smiled back
Rubie glowered at them both in
\ turn Her friend had never been
given 10 open coquetry; and she was
rather awkward at the art. Rubie
/ thought Back of this thought was
the reluctant appreciation of the
newcomers smile 1t was a genial
sort OF smile. deep and enfolding
\ Rubie did not remember that any
man had ever smiled at her in such
a satisfying way.
'Mr. Ely would like to make UP
another little party for next Satur-
day night" Ada was saying conf
deutially. But OF course if you
/ prefer "a party Of two"
Two" Rubie perked out her
little chin. why. / don't even know
/. il I'm going out with anybody next
Saturday night. I'm not tied TO Joe
I Gibson. YOU know"
Then let's go Wen ask him.
coaNed Ada You'll go. Rubie?"
Just to be obliging, yes" Rubie
agreed
The next Saturday evening Mis-.
Rubie Wentz changed her tactics
Instead OF treating the host of the
evening indiherently. she eNerted hei