The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-09-17


luncheon, so he sought to make ~
acquaintance of those who knew Miss
Drew socially.
He would meet her after working
hours and thus show his fnesse
Meantime Mr.. Stewart had sailed and
Mr.. Stone had come To take his pNlce
Nh Stone, who proved to he blond
young giant who accomplished twice
as much as Mr. Stewart, albeit he sat
IN Il rocking chair and INDUCED In
three electric fans Mt once. He had
IN endless capacity for work, and
often when Rodney Blaine left at half
past five he still heard the heavy
voice Of Mr.. Stone debating to his
stenographer behind the closed doors
of the executive office. Something.
possibly the long hours and the siren
uous business methods Of Mr.. Stone.
very decidedly softened the edge OF
Miss Drews sharp temper. Her dark
eyes snapped less fire now and the
wnvy black hair that seemed to typlfy
her hlgh-spIrited nature seemed to
wave more softly to her face. 1t had
almost been forgotten In the office that
she had ever had temper to be
dreaded.
Three months had passed and I,
was the eve of Mr.. Stewards return.
Rodney Blaine had done his best. He
had never fallen down on an assign
ment before, md he had not had his
little talk with Miss Drew simply be-
cause she had never given him an OPP
portunity Now he was dancing at the
same country club. studying Spanish
In the same class, even going to the
same church-aI with the hopes Of
sometime having the opportunity he
had been urged to find.
Rodney Blaine was the first of the
turn home. and after very brief dis
cusSion of business interests. Mr..
Stewart brought up the subject that
was apparently uppermoSt IN his
mind. "Were you successful in Civ
Ing Miss Drew her little tip OFF,
n
Heavens, man" interrupted Mr..
Stewart, you don't mean You let her
boss Stone around the way she has
been hoSsing me. Don't explain. |
was afraid you wouldn't tell her. OF
course, Stone wouldn't stand for her
tongue. He is not patient as l am.
| have felt 1t vail along. No one has
mentioned her in my letters. 1t hap
pened just as feared. Stone
wouldn't stand for her bosslness-and
now she's left. Rodney, I'm sorry you
let this happen. Miss Drew was one
Of my greatest business assets
But she hasn't left" Blaine ex-
planned as soon as he had an oppOr-
tunity. Then they were interrupted
by the overtowering Mr.. Stone, and
Rodney Blaine was glad of an excuse
to withdraw.
Mr.. Stone, after hearty greetings
had been exchanged, waived all dis
cussion of business. He closed Mr..
Stewards office door and talked in
subdued voice.
YOU" he said. II didn't want to write
It. But good share of my happiness
depends on the answer you give Is
Rodney Blaine serious in his regards
for Miss Drew? He seems to follow
her about, always seems to be trying
to tell her something. ! am more than
interested In the girl myself. Frank
~, I'd ask her to marry me"
Marry your gasped Stewart sink
ing back In his chair. Marry a girl
with temper like thatT
1.-THE best tempered girl In the
world" interposed Mr.. Stone. "The
point Is this: | am a newcomer,
have no right cutting Blaine out If
he really loves the girl. If he doesn't,
| have hopes of persuadng her to be-
come my wife"
"Then she didn't leave?" Mr.. Stew
art seemed momentarily relieved.
but what I'm asking you is wheth-
er Blaine is In love with her. Why
does he dog her around SOP
IL guess | told him to-" said Stew
art Weakly. But It's all right He
doesn't love her. You needn't worry
about that. I'm sorry to have you
take her away but"
Mr.. Stewart never finished the SEN
tence. for Mr.. Stone had hurried Into
Miss Drew's office to deliver the words
Of q ong-postponed proposal, which
did not come as a surprise and that
IA not ,.oit l,pu fnr on npcuyor