The Press., 1920-04-29

looked out at the maze of windows in the wall opposite.
 In her dust-dry garden of business routine the girl longed for breath of youth and companionship, but Mapes fell short of the mark. She decided that whatever happened she wouldn't go another time with him to a picture theater or restaurant.
 Absently her gaze fell upon a win dow directly opposite her own, but on the floor below. young man stood in plain view, looking straight at her and smiling. In his eyes at that moment she thought she read the romance of moonlight, springtime, youth and adventure. There was no mistake He was looking all of those things right at her.
 His hair was reached back in the most genteel style. His brows were arched exqusitely above his dark eyes, which now Sparkled with merr1- ment. He was surely smiling at her, and she looked away abashed at first; then back at him with an answering but inquisitive expression. She saw him reach across his desk for sheet of letter paper, upon which he printed in large, clear letters with pen:
 EAST DOOR AT NOON"
 She had never seen him before, but from that moment he was new and intense interest in the routine of Elec- tric Square. Maybelle decided that she might as well trust her noon hour with him as with Mapes, and he was so much better looking than the lat ter. So she nodded "Yes," and ad- iusted her pearl-bead necklace while she smiled and blushed.
 Just then the door opened and Mr. Mapes came in.
 Miss Maybelle-you read my note, I suppose. Well. here I've col~e for rou. Will you let me have the pleas ure?" He seemed to take it for grant ed that she would go out with hIt...
 "Thank you very much, MT. Mapes. l have other plans for my noon hour today, and cannot accept your invi- tatiOn." was her businesslike refusal. He was plainly surprised. and with the instinct of jealous natures at once suspected the cause.
 I'm sorry, Miss Maybelle." was all he said.
 Following her a few minutes later he saw her hurrying toward the east ern doorway of the great building, where she met and timidly shook hands with a young man. Mapes lost trace of them in the swift current of the crowd.
 Don't you think we ought to be introduced?" Maybelle asked her es- cOrt.
 "Why, hadn't thought of that. We already know each others names. I'm Romeo-so-you're Juliet, don't you know?" he laughed.
 She did not exactly understand. but persisted in her own way.
 Il mean" she said seriously. ''it isn't right for me to be walking with you when we don't even know each other"
 Do you mean to say you don't know who I amp" he laughed. II found out your name week ago, Miss Maybelle Kinney. Well, anyway, Pm Tom Wendell, alias Romeo. and right heres where I feed every day at 12:15. Will you step in?"
 It was one of those restaurants where an orchestra played dreamy melodies and harmonies that suggest ed moonlight, springtime, love and TO- nance. In the eyes of the young man she saw these things reflected.
 So this was the beginning. Mapes never had another chance at the noon hour. The girl and Tom were always together then. and often they met af- ter closing hours and on holidays.
 One day Tom dropped in at her office. where he was clandestinely ad- mitted by Daniel.
 "IIoW do you like this one?' asked Tom when they were alone. He slipped delicate little band of Orna- mentcd platinum set ablaZe with pure blue-white diamond upon her finger. It flashed in a thousand hues the brilliant glory of the sunlight