The Lamar register., 1920-05-12
HANDS ACROSS
BY GRACE r. RILEY.
tS. isso. Sy Msciur. Newspaper syndicate

%. 1880. by Mcclure Newspaper syndieats)
The electric fan hummed monoto-
nously; the bookkeeper's pen scratched
increasingly; even tie keys under the
stenographer's fingers were momentar-
lily still, when the door suddenly open
ed and q voice doomed through the
silence:
"fs Duncan Pratt IMP
The office force became rigid; alert.
"Your name. please" clerk In
uired.
Norman Dodge Of Dodge. Ltd, Lon
don"
A comprehensive glance flashed from
one to the other. Dodge. their largest
competitorl
Mr.. Pratt's door opened and strik-
ing young woman, tall and slender
with regal carriage, whose bronze
hair in sunlight turned to gold, sum
moned the stranger within. What oc-
CURED there no one knew; but In a
short time he emerged, muttering In
a testy voice:
you'll regret your decision. Pratt !"
As he drove away from the building
his brain plotted the downfall OF Pratt
& Co. He forgot the war had 50 un-
dermined the once impregnable soldity
of his house that he was driven TO Dun
can Pratt to reinstate his business
to its former financial standing. His
car halted abruptly; his chauffer
leaped from the motor and lifted an
unconscious girl from the pavement.
Without looking at her, Mr.. Dodge
ordered that she be taken in his car
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 36 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.. DodgeT
With a great effort he managed to
say something agreeable. but his mind
and his speech had no connection
whatsosvsr. For an hour they chatted
pleasantly. When departing he touch
cd lightly upon their first meeting.
Now that 1 have run down his sec
Rotary. 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 70 ride with him
II am going home tomorrow. Mr.
Dodge. Next Sunday will you dine
with usf'
where is your homer
He was surprised when she gave
hun an address In the heart of Bos
tons most exclusive center.
"rn be thsrs."
When Sunday came he was elated
a. a college boy. Never had he met
girl like this one, and he knew the
impression was to be lasting one
The girls home was Of solid brown
stone.
Miss 80 is an anomaly-her char
scter and appearance belong to this
beautiful house. yet she is one Of the
toilsrs Of the world" he thought, as
he waited for her In q room whose
rich simplicity bespoke not only mon
sy. but good taste.
Mr.. Dodge" she came In with hand
extended, father will be here directly,
% 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 at
his Office"
whats that. daughterr'
Norman Dodge turned ut the voice.
This man her iatherl 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-
gether. In buslness-you Will pardon
my frankness-you had cut my throat
as often a. possible. would have re-
taliated. but the great Dodge. Ltd. was
beyond my reach. Then the war-the
sreat leveler-brought you within my
grasp and l meant to crush you. When
you had this accident, your treatment
of a girl whom you supposed to be
poor, made a strong appeal, and my
daughter whom / prize more than she