Evening star., 1919-02-23
ORDER

she! Only--her husband was succeed
ing.
Edith cried inwardly that she
thought no disloyalty to Ralph. She
was complaining of conditions which
kept him and her whore they were
conditions for which the stinginess of
Fanston, whose factory now loomed
ahead seemed the chief cause. AS she
pictured herself approaching Fanston
in his office, She despised him. loathed
him--and the next moment trembled
for fear he would not give her the
order even at the price at which she
had had 1t before. Was there no way
to get this years business at a fair
profit?
What was that?
Her eyes absently had been gazing
at the typewriter page in bhe hands
OF the man beside her. she had read
few lines mechanically, but the
words had not registered in her mind.
Perhaps they would have had no
meaning for her had not the man. sud =
denly conscious that he had exposed
the paper, concealed il with start
and turned and stared at her in alarm,
He did not recognize her, and she gave
no sign that she had realized any
thing of Significance. He settled back.
treasured. Then she knew him as
Hastings, the attorney for the Var
rows in their lawsuit against Fanstou.
And suddenly she realized the tre-
mendous significance of the lines she
had read and knew their overwhelm-
ing Importance to Fanston.
'Fanston's works" the conductor
called. she jumped up mechanically
and bolted for the general Offices
Three quarters of an hour later she
emerged and stood on the street cor
ner gazing up the track at q car go
ing toward town. Constantly. uncon-
sclously' her fingers clasped and an
clasped the fastening of her wrist ba g
and felt inside it to touch a folded
page of paper.
AS no car was in sight. she started
toward drug store opposite, where
the blue sign proclaimed a public tele-
phone, but checked the impulse and
turning toward town, she set off on
foot rapidly. She seemed to see no
one whom she passed on the street.
though many stared at her; for at
times she broke into run.
a car going in her direction caught
up with her. but as if she now needed
the physical outlet of effort, she did
not try to hail it, but hurried on.
Ralph, she painted as she ran into
the office of their shop. Ralph
Her husband came, all inky. from
the preSsroom.
We've got it! We got it! Ralph,
Ralph, he gave it to u.s..
She thrust the precious paper from
her wrist bag upon him. See! See.
We got iti'
Edith. at our price? Fanston,
Edith.
Yes, it's $780,. Ralph! He gave
1t to me himself. It's signed It's his
order! Don't you see?' She was un-
steady now. trembling terribly.
He caught her in his arms Il see!"
he cried, and reckless of the smudge
OF Ink upon him. she pressed to him
and made him hold her
KISS me! Kiss me-" she cried.
Now hold me again, hardw
But, Edith. ! cant believe 1t. I
can't see how you got it," He strug-
gled with himself to realize It after
she had relaxed a little from him.
Why? Isn't It what we had a right
to expect? Isn't the price only fair?"
only fair. Eut I can't believe It,
Think what 1t means. Edith You
don't have to stay here. You can go
home now. Now"
She closed her eyes. Eyes, now. I
can go home now"
Dol" he commanded her. He took
from her the order and almost in awe
put 1t safely away. 'J've got to stay
here now, but you can 60 home and