The St. Charles herald., 1921-04-23
The Only Obstacle
By R. RAY BAKER

"a 1871, By Mcclure Newspaper Synoicss'h1
A sigh escaped June Alton. ste
nographer, as she finished her WORK
Of the moment and let her eyes wan
der across the private office to uesA
at which sat Dick RouftOn, the hand
some private secretary to Jasper
James, head Of James & Co., top
notch Arm In the Grand Rapids furni-
ture Industry.
The sigh was occasioned by the facl
that June nearly loved Dick. One OF
the points in the young gentleman
favor was of course, his prepossess-
ing appearance. He was dark OF
complexion, tall of stature and attn
letic Of physique; but the thing OF all
things that made June nearly love
him was his adorable personality.
June was aware, too, with wom-
ans ability to see, that Dick cared
much for her, although not once had
he broached the subject. The sign
! was because she did not completely
love him, instead of nearly. She knew
\ proposal was imminent.
"What a wonderful man," she eold
herself, as she watched him working
with a pen. probably signing Jasper
| James name to some letters she re-
Gently had typed. s"What q wonder
full man, with his looks and person
| ality. if, he only had some OF the
boss great supply Of force and exec
utive ability to 60 with them.
June's eyes flashed from Dick to
Jasper James, rotund and pompous,
reading letters with furious energy,
one after another. at still another
desk.
"Such force!" June whispered. tax
ing note Of the middle-aged mans
| concentrated scewl. "And what an
enormous fund OF executive ability
lies behind those little eyes. Oh, II
Dick, only had some Of it-then
would marry him in minute. It's
the only obstacle"
June arranged her hair, which
needed no arranging. and busted the
intricate mechanism Of her typewrit-
er with a long handled brush. With
large brown eyes and those curly
dark tresses and finely chiseled fea-
lures she seemed meant fora man
like Dick. But there was that big
obstacle.
The great man at the other desk
was leaning back in his chair, holding
one hand back of his head while he
glared at q letter held in the other.
Shafts of fire seemed to dart from his
eyes. and June would not have been
surprised to see the letter flare into q
blaze.
"Yes. brains are more to be ad-
mired than beauty in man." June
mused. "Some day If the boss asks
me I'll be tempted to consent" She
knew that Mr.. James. too. cared for
her, although, like Dick, he had never
voiced his sentiments. He was q
bachelor and rich, and the latter fac
tor was something to be considered
although be It to June's credit that
love meant more to her than wealth.
| They were a happy business family,
the three OF them. Formalities were
dispensed with In this inner office OF
| the big Industry. The boss, his right
hand man and chief stenographer
worked together for the interests Of
the firm, and the business prospered.
| While June thus idled away her
| time with cogitations, things sudden
ly happened.
The great Mr.. James bounced from
his chair, evidently having arrived at
decision OF much moment. His voice
rang through the room.
i "Quick, Miss Alton and Mr.. Roul-
ton! Get on your coats and hats
We've got to motor at once to Hast
ings. The success Of the big Jones
contract is involved. The directors
are meeting there right now, and we
must arrive before their conference
ends, or we lose."
Within the space Of five minutes
they were seated In Mr.. James tour
ing car, heading at as rapid a pace
a the law permitted for Robinson
road. which led to the city Of Hast.
ings, thirty-eight miles distant. Dick
was. at his wheel. with his boss and
the latter's stenographer in the ton
neau. June had big pad and some
well-sharpened pencils with her, fol
Il was hoped some documents would
have to be rushed through the type
writer.
!; Eight miles they travelled, before
q anyfhing happened; /; then 'bang T
| went 4 tire, and before the car coult
be brought to stop, sbang!" wen'
another.
.Two blowouts!" exclaimed Dick
Il he stopped the car beside the road
II was afraid these tires were abou
ready to quit. Luckily we have tsv!
Il ind6fed extras While heswas speak
Ing he had turned up the front sea
and was extracting jacks. tire iron
&. ana other implements.
The great Mr.. James was fussinl
and tuning over the delay.
~Here, bon" Dick admonished
~you take one OF these tires of whiI
/ ret busy with the other" Her ea
! tended 1 jack and one Of the irons.
= l - 80. 1rraro<a 3asv,na~,o1d -