Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-04-08
The Only Obstacle
By R. RAY BAKER
By r. RAY BAKER


nographer, as she finished her work
OF the moment and let her eyes wan
der across the private Office to a desk
at which sat Dick Roulton, the hand
some private secretary to Jasper
James, head Of James & Co., top
notch firm In the Grand Rapids furni,
ture industry.
The sigh was occasioned by the fact
that June nearly loved Dick. One Of
the points In the young gentleman's
favor was, Of course, his progresses
ing appearance. He was dark Of
complexion, tail Of stature and ath-
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 preached the subject. The sigh
was because she did not completely
love him, instead of nearly. She knew
q proposal was imminent.
'What wonderful man." she told
herself, as she watched him working
with a pen, probably signing Jasper
James name to some letters she re-
Gently had typed. "What a wonder
full man, with his looks and person
ality. if he only had some Of the
boss great supply Of force and exec
ntive ability to go with them"
June's eyes dashed from Dick to
Jasper James, rotund and pOmpous,
reading letters with furious energy,
one after another. at still another
desk.
"Such forcet" June whispered. TAX
Ing note of the middle-aged mans
concentrated scowl. "And what ON
enormous fund Of executive ability
lies behind those little eyes. Oh, if
Dick only had some Of it--then /
would marry him In a minute. Its
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 for a 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 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 a
blaze.
Eyes, brains are more to be adj
mired than beauty in man." June
unused. "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 a
bachelor and rich. and the latter fac
tor was something TO be considered,
although be 1t to June's credit that
love meant more to her than wealth.
They were 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 cogltations, things sudden
ly happened.
The great Mr.. James bounced from
his chair, evidently having arrived at
a decision Of much moment. His voice
rang through the room.
"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 we're seated In Mr.. James tour
ING ear, heading at as rapid pace
as 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, for
II was hoped some documents would
have to be rushed through the type
writer.
Eight miles they travelled, before
ANYTHING happened; then "bang Y
went a tire, and before the car could
he brought to stop, bang" went
another.
.sTwo blowoutsi' exclaimed Dick,
a. he stopped the car beside the road
~ was afraid these tires were about
ready to quit. Luckily we have tive
inflated extras" While be was speak.
Ing he had turned up the front sea:
and was extracting jacks, tire irons
and other implements.
The great Mr.. James was fussinR
and tuning over the delay.
"Here. boss" Dick admOnished
avon take one of these tires off while
/ get busy with the other" He ex
tended jack and one Of the irons.
Mr.. James looked dismayed,