The Lamar register., 1921-11-09

cOn1rmlnS tnlS conversation at once.
NV representatives will call In day
or so. Good-by"
"Good-byr' - He hung up the receiver
and went out to think. Ii couldn't be
she, of course-not with that name
and yet-the solution burst upon him.
II must he shei he couldn't be de
ceived in the tones even over the wire.
But the name-well, that was easily
explained. She had married some one
named Darlington, and for business
reasons called herself "Miss" That
was 1t. And he-well. he had lost her.
He returned to the office, sick at heart.
His chief greeted him.
"Well. did you put that Darlington
matter through?"
"Yes." The tone was lifeless.
Good work I'll put you on it en-
tirely for the finishing touches"
"No, chief. don't want it."
But, Great Scott, mani It's u big
deal You stand to make lot out of
It in commissions. And know you
can carry II out to the queens taste.
What's the matter with you? Scared OF
a woman
Pretty close to the mark, though.
Davidson but he merely replied: I'D
rather not handle 1t, II you don't mind
I'm feeling sort of down and out"
The chief looked at him keenly for
moment
"All right, old man. Tompkins can
have the job. Better take n weekend
off-go out in the country somewhere.
Do you good" And he turned again
to his desk.
But II was not country air that
Davidson needed. That night he
tossed upon his bed. sleepless, tortur
ing himself with the thought Of all
that he had lost. In the morning he
arose, dressed mechanically, ate "a
tasteless breakfast, and from force OF
habit wended his way toward the
office. When there he was met with n
scene of excitement. The chief called
him into his office at once.
'Old man, I'm sorry. l intended you
to go of today, but, thank goodness,
you're here. Tompkins is laid up
acute lgestion-and that Darling.
ton matters got to be settled today
You're the only man who can handle
1t. Go ahead. put It over, and you
can have week to rest up In. Its
tough. but It can't be helped. Be a
sport-we need you now as we never
needed you before"
Davidson hesitated. II would be
agony for him to meet her; but he
could not desert the company In Its
need. He squared his shoulders.
"All right. chief. I'll take It." he
said quietly.
"Good mani Tompkins made an ap-
pointment with her for 10 80; you'll
just about have time to get there.
Good lucki"
Davidson left the office and made his
way to the subway. All the way down
town he mentally steeled himself
against the meeting. In the busy
outer office of the Darlington Company
he waited; then a girl brought him his
card which he had sent In and said,
Miss Darlington Will see you now"
He rose and entered the inner of.
fee. The slender girl seated ut the
big desk at the side Of the room did
not look up at first, but he knew that
he had not been mistaken In the voice
that II was indeed his lost love. The
knowledge that she was out of his
reach forever made him sick and
shaky, but he steadied his voice and
said:
Miss Darlington, called to see you
about the matter of the ]. ii. Day ac.
count"
At the sound of his voice she
whirled suddenly, cheeks flushed. eyes
shining. Her hands clasped them.
selves over her heart. Then the flush
died, and a deadly whltsness took Its
place. your was all she said.
"Yes-toO lateI" Davidson could
have killed himself the next moment
for uttering those words, but the
strain had been too much. That was
no way to talk to a girl who had mar
ried some one else. He tried to re-
vert to business.
About that account" he began
but he never finished. She had reach.
ed her arms to him. and he. forgetting
all else, held her close, kissing her
cheeks, her eyes, her lips and muir
muring old half-forgotten pet names in
her ear. In a moment he released her.
his face stern.
you tempted me-" he said. u
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