The Snowflake herald., 1920-05-14
HANDS ACROSS
BY GRACE r. RILEY.

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0c 1920 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate')
The electric fan hummed monoto-
nously; the bookkeeper's pen scratcheu
increasingly; even the keys under the
stenographers fingers were momentar-
ily still, when the door suddenly open
ed and voice doomed through the
silence:
.'Is Duncan Pratt in?'
The office force became rigid; alert.
"Your name please" clerk III
quired.
norman Dodge of Dodge, Ltd, Lon
DON"
A comprehensive glance flashed from
one TO the other. Dodge, their largest
competitor!
Mr.. Pratt's door opened and strSk-
ing Young woman, tall. and slender
with a regal carriage, whose bronze
hair in sunlight turned to gold, sum
moned the stranger within. What oc-
Cured there no one knew; but IN
short time he emerged, muttering Id
a testy voice:
you'll regret your decision, Pratt
AS he drove away from the building
his brain plotted the downfall OF Prat'
& Co. He forgot the war had so un-
dermined the once impregnable Sondlty
of his house that he was driven to Dun
can Pratt to reinstate his business
TO IT'S former financial standing. HIS
car halted abruptly; his chauiIer
leaped from the motor and littcd an
unconscious girl from the pavement
Without locRlng at her, Mr.. Dodge
ordered tha: she be taken in his car
TO the hospital
His davs were crowded. His brain
was constantly revolving the problem
of Pratrs refusal. \ week passed be
fore he again visited the hospital
where he learned that Patient 30 was
doing well and would ike to see him.
She sat in a chair by the window; the
sun on her hair turning il to gold.
"How do you do Mr.. Dodge?
With great effort he managed TO
say something agreeable, but his mind
and his speech had no connection
I whatsoever. For an hour they chatted
I pleasantly. When departing he touch
/ ed lightly upon their first meeting. !.
Now that have run down his sec
retary. Mr.. Pratt will be even more
obdurate on my proposal"
please don't think that. ! intend
YOU shall be friends some day.
Every day Norman Dodge spent an
hour with Miss SO" as she insisted
upon being called, and finally she was
able to ride with him.
Il am going home tomorrow, Mr.
Dodge. Next Sunday will you dine
with us?"
"Where is your home?
He was surprised when she gave
him an address in the heart OF Bos'
tons most exclusive center.
'Tll be there"
When. Sunday came he was elated
as a college boy. Never had he met a
girl like this one and he knew the
i impression was to be a lasting one
The girls home was of solid brown
stone.
Miss SO is an anomaly-her char
acter and appearance belong to TINS
beautiful house, yet she is one OF the
\ toilers of the world" he thought, as
he waited for her in room whose
rich simplicity bespoke not only mon
ey but good taste.
"Nr. Dodge" she came in with hanc
extended, father will be here directly
so let's be frivolous while we may be
fore you become immersed in busi
ness. Father lives and moves and has
his being in business, and the only
chance ever have of seeing him is a
his Office"
whats that, daughter?'
Norman Dodge turned at the voice.
"This man her father! 1t could no
beY'
He found himself greeting Duncan
Pratt His daughter left them alone
dodge" said Mr.. Pratt, "since w
last talked business, your chautfeu
has accomplished that which was alb
sOlutely beyond you. In running dow
NY DAUGHTER, ne mas oAouSHl u0 -
gether. In businesS-yOu will pardol
my frankness-you had cut my throa
as often as possible. | would have re
taliated, but the great Dodge, Ltd. wa
beyond my reach. Then the war-th
great leveler-brought you within M
grasp and meant to crush you. Whel
you had this accident, your treatmen
Of a girl whom you supposed to b
poor, made strong appeal, and m
daughter, whom / prize more than sh
can ever know, has made a stronger
She insists, and | agree if you do, tina
we must be friends"
Norman Dodge took the hand e1
tended to him. Il gladly agree"