South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-16


A whistle. rag-time whistling at
that. sounded outside the. door of
the ONCE OF Fuller & Mckenzie. at
torneys- and tnen the door
opened At the same time, so did
the mouth OF the office-boy. Willie
And Willie's mouth remained open.
Now surprise was strange for VIII
lie He should have been too &C
customed 20 the kaleidoscope life OF
a lawyers office. and this busy one
I'm particular. 10 show surprise. Will
lies boss. Robert Fuller, had the
reputation OF being a hard fighter
And because Of that reputation, he
therefore had plenty OF battles to
fight But ne went through il all
unperturbed. unruffied. seemingly
intent not 10 let any cause disturb
his usually quiet reserved manner
Fuller's youth-he was still under
3O--was only betrayed by his light
buoyant step and his unquenchable
energy And no small wonder that
Willie was surprised.
For Robert Fuller stood lis the
center or the outer office, whistling
while he removed his coat and
gloves. and he was smiling broadly
no. he was beaming-on Willie.
Good morning Willie" said Full
or MY. you're looking bright this
morning Any news?"
Emo. sir" stammered the boy.
iabbergasted. 'Er-yes-Mr. Hal
way was here-heU be back at
1890"
Hallway" echoed Fuller, then he
made a deprecating gesture with his
hand. Il don't want 10 see him. If
he comes back, tell him I'm busy.
He's too quiet for my nerves"
"Yes-sir." faltered Willie. Full
or didn't want to see Hallway, Why.
he had always been glad 10 see this
quiet. reserved old gentleman-one
OF his best clients. in fact.
Better not let anybody in to see
me without announcing them" or
dered Fuller. then ne strobe into his
Office and stood by the window. peer
ing into the street below. He seemed
TO be wra pped in happy day dream.
when the door opened and he turned
around with an absent smile then
besmed again.
These letters" started the in
truder. his stenographer, young
and rather pretty girl. Three Of
them require an immediate answer.
Mr.. Fuller. Do you want TO die
tate them now?"
NO" he answered. quickly. then
changed his mind. "Er-yes Ny
how neat and pretty you look this
morning. Miss Grace. I-er-that
is, think I'll raise your wages this
week-S2 more"
Thank you. sir" answered the
girl, a bit stiffiy She knew the signs
and il startled her a little. She had
thought Mr.. Fuller such a fine man.
And now he was 10 turn out like
some other men-try 10 kiss her. she
guessed They always started with
fiattery and a bride. She held her
self in readiness 10 fly.
What are they" he asked alb
sently. looking over the mail and
rocking-yes. rocking in a school
boy way,-in his office chair. Here
one from Weldon Oh, tell him I'll
waive that interest. If he'll pay
promptly"
Grace gasped Waive the interest
in Weldons Casei ImpOSsiblei
And this one from Heminway."
continued Fuller. beating time with
his free hand now. while he whistled
another outrageous rag-tine ditty.
He's a nut" Nut, Fuller using
slang? Grace regarded him plying
" Nervous breakdown. she sup
posed Overwork did that al times.
"Yes,-a nut" he repeated alb
sently. He don't want 10 push that
case against Jones. Tell him 70
come down and see me. I'll advise
him 10 drop the case"
Mr.. Fuller" broke in the girl,
soliCitously. Are you-well?"
"Well.-I'm elegant, gorgeous"
gushed Fuller. and he patted her
hand. reassuringly. and again she
frowned slightly How long before
he'd try 10 kiss her. He was speak
ing again. And write Houlton that
he'd better think over that divorce
business He don't want 20 shake off
that little wife OF his. They can
patch it up.-somehow The idea
Of q man and wife fighting Prepos-
terouSi"
Yes, thought Grace. IL was pre-
poSterous Not Moulton's battles
with his spouse. but Fuller's atti-
ture Why hadn't he and Mr.. Nc
Kenzie told Mrs. Moulton's attorney
the day before that the case would
be fought 70 a standstillo McKen-
zie, thought Grace, would be furious
MOultOn was big paying client
She rose and went 20 the door.
Anything else" she asked Fuller