The Dolores star., 1920-05-07
HANDS ACROSS
BY GRACE r. RILEY.

lUuSlN, the hOohhStp'A f -,
increasingly. even the Keys uhoer 'n'
stenographcr's fingers were moineh'"t
uy SIM when the door suddenly open
ai and voice doomed through the
silence:
rs Duncan Pratt lur'
The office force became rigid; alert
Your name, please eie'h III
CURED 80 -,
Norman Dodge of Dodge, Ltd Lon
don"
A comprehensive glance flashed IRON
one tn the other. Dodge. their largest
competitorl III
Mr. Pratts door opened and strik'
ing young woman, tall and slender
with regal carriage, whose prone
hair in sunlight turned TO gold, sum
moued the stranger within. What oe'
curred there no one knew; but In
short tIne he emerged, muttering In
testy voice:
You'll regret your decision, Pratt
As he drove away from the building
his brain plotted the downfall OF ffat'
4 Co. He forgot the war had 80 uh'
dermIned the once impregnable solldlty
of his house that he was driven to Dun
can Pratt to reinstate his business
TO IFS former financial standing. his
car halted abruptly; his chauiter
leaped from the motor and llfted an
unconscious girl from the pavement.
Without looking at her. Mr.. Dodge
a ~, N
to the hospital.
His DAYS were crowded. His brain
was constantly revolving the problem
Of Pratt's refusal. A week passed be-
fore he again visited the hospital
where he learned that Patient 80 was
doing well and would like to see him.
She sat in chair by the window; the
sun on her hair turning 1t to gold.
How do you do, Mr.. Dodge"
with a great effort he managed to
say something agreeable, but his mind
and his speech had no connection
whatsoever For an hour they chatted
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 I intend
you shall be friends some day."
Every day Norman Dodge spent an
hour with Miss 36" as she insisted
upon being called, and finally she was
able to ride with him.
81 am going home tomorrow, Mr..
Dodge. Next Sunday will you dine
with u.s."
where is your homer
He was surprised when she gave
him an address in the heart of Bos-
tons most exclusive center.
I'm be there"
When Sunday came he was elated
as Il college boy. Never had he met a
girl like this one and he knew the
Impression was to be Il lasting one.
The girls home was of solid brown
stone.
Miss 36 is an anomaly-her char
acter and appearance belong to this
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.
"Mr. Dodge" she came IN with hand
extended, father will be here directly,
so let's be frivolous while we may be-
fore you become immersed in bust
ness. Father lives and moves and has
his being in business, and the only
chance l ever have of seeing him is at
his Office"
whats that, daughter?"
Norman Dodge turned at the voice.
This man her father 1t could not
bel"
He found himself greeting Duncan
Pratt. His daughter left them alone
Dodge" said Mr.. Pratt, "since we
last talked business, your chauffeur
has accomplished that which was alb
solutely beyond you. In running down
my daughter, he has brought us to-
gcther. In business-you will pardon
my frankness-you had cut my throat
as often as possible. / would have re-
taliated, but the great Dodge, Ltd. was
beyond my reach. Then the war-the
great leveler-brought you within my
grasp and | meant to crush you. When
you had this accident, your treatment
Of girl whom you supposed to be
poor, made a strong appeal, and my
daughter, whom | prize more than she
can ever know, has made a stronger
She insists, and agree if you do, that
we must be friends"
Norman Dodge took the hand OK
tended to him. 81 gladly agree"
"Then shall We 20 further-let us
reconsider the matter which brought
you to my office. If details can be mr..
ranged, shall we clasp hands across
the sea?"
wait moment, you twO-I am
coming into this hand-holdinr cam.
1aign.' Natalie Pratt came back into
the room. II think the combination
should include me, too" She looked
from one to the other, the dlmples
coming and going, blush colorinp |
her chppks