Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-18
CHATTER CCCTI
Copyright, 1919, King Feature Syn
60

dicate, Inc.)
$50 far, Miss Condor, you've liked
every one of my pet bits. exclaimed
Tom stopping in delight before q
crudely colored TarSar rug, at which
Daisy was gazing rapturous2.' In her
progress through Toms new uptown
studio. You ought to let me deco
rate your apartment for you. III
wager I'd be able to do 1t up a bit
without word from YOU"
Daisy lifted her hazel eyes, which
had darkened to brown in the DIM
ness of the studio, and she flung out
her hands in little gesture of pro-
test.
My apartment! I live in a third
floor-back in a boarding house on a
side street, Mrs. Mason. I'm nothing
but stenographer-one of Mr.. Har-
rison's poor but honest friends"
Her concentrated bitterness star
tied me no less than her choice of
words. I couldn't help wondering
If Daisy called herself honest be-
cause she wasn't, or hadn't stumbled
on the formula as a matter of course.
But Tom seemed to derive an in
spiration from what she said, for
he replied with eagerness of sort
different from any I had ever seen
him show:
You're a businesswoman? Fine!
Now to cap the climax you have only
to tell me you're dissatisfied with
your present work and would like
nothing better than to come and
take charge of my studio during the
hours I'm at my place further down.
town.
If I knew anything about those
marvellous things I'd love it," said
Daisy with sincerity and earnest
ness I handn't known was in this
little grain of dust. "Or If I didn't
have a pretty good job-one that
just about fits my abilities. I'm not
clever, Mr.. Mason"
Maybe not. But you're some
thing just as good--or better" he
replied. And that's honest. You
have respect and an admiration
for my antiques that would make
you easy to train. And, of course, I
can't have any one in charge here
unless I hive absolute confidence
in her integrity. First of all, you're
friend of Anne Harrison's so I'd
be inclined just on that evidence
to trust you with the priceless
things and the big sums of money
that pass through this little shop
of mine"
I have averted my tell-tale face. I
could hardly keep silence, and yet
not for words would I have spoken
and so destroyed what might be
Daisy's big chance.
And apart from my being q
friend-or acquaintance-of Anne
Harrison's," persisted the amazing
Daisy.
Apart from that-now please
don't think I'm being patronizing
or schoolmarmish-but this strikes
me so forcibly I've got to say it.
When I suggested doing an apart
ment for you nine women out of
ten going through a shop with q
casual acquaintance who happened
to be the proprietor would have
put me off with some remark about
not wanting anything of the sort
just now-or letting me know If
they decided to have any work done
While you"
He stopped suddenly and bent de-
ferentially over Daisy, who had
never seemed smaller and more re-
tiring than now, measured against
Toms bulk and the heavy insis-
tence of his forceful. self-indulgeni
features. In spite of being only a
few years older than Jim, Tom
looks almost middle-aged-a hand.
some, well-groomed middle age -
but he has lived so much and sc
unreservedly that he has a spont
and blase appearance. Drab little
Daisy accented that
while L" prompted Daisy
breathlessly.
while you," Tom smiled as hi
took up his idea again, you were 81
honest that you promptly corrected
my impression that you were one
of the spenders and told me tha
you are an Garner. I think you sale
you were nothing but a stenogra
apher. Don't underrate your job
or your personality"
Daisy fairly hung on his words
She frightened and flashed the wa!
dull stone does sometimes wheI
you scratch away the earth cakeC
on it, and find cleaning quartz un
derneath.
Did you mean it when you sale
you'd put me in charge here?" sh,
demanded eagerly. You'd teac1
me all about these wonderful