Little Falls herald., 1922-06-30
The Girl rom
B:jor'n, )
By JUSTIN WENTWooDlI

e4cIdlmeQ DOlly, putting out neat
gloved hand to Dick. what are you
doing here?" @.s.
"1've got a clerical job downtown"
said Dick. "And you, Dolly?"
"1'm in the ladies' dresses depart
ment Of Bjorn's," said Dolly.
"Can l call and see your"
"Oh, yes!" She gave him her ad-
dress, boarding house in the Fifties.
But I'm pretty busy, Dick" She
laughed. Zone makes friends quickly
here"
Dick frowned as pretty Dolly Mat
thews walked quickly away. Bjorn's
was fashionable department store,
but-Well, he had heard things about
the character of it's employees. Even
department stores have their separate
regulations.
Dolly and he had gone to New York
from the same town, two years before,
but neither had known where the
other lived. They had been sweet
hearts in the old days. But Dolly
craved the excitement of city life.
Dick, to tell the truth, had sold the
little farm he had inherited and gone
to New York because life without
Dolly had seemed impossible in New
ton.
He called the next afternoon, but
Dolly had gone out. He waited till
she arrived-in a taxi, accompanied
by man who put Dicks back up.
He was an overdressed, flashy look
Ing individual who attempted to kiss
Dolly on the steps. Dolly disengaged
herself, laughing, and the man, per-
ceiving Dick, turned away with a
scowl. A minute later the two were
alone.
"Well, Dick?" There was mild inter-
ogation in Dolly's look.
dolly, who's your friendY'
"That? Mr.. Perkins, the business
manager of Bjorn's. He's a good fel.
low"
He tried to kiss your
"Well," she famed out, what if he
Cid? One has to stand in with these
people and lead them on a bit if one
wants to get anywhere"
Dick felt a cold thrill up his spine
dolly he pleaded, II don't want
won't you-?'
Dolly looked at him and burst out
laughing.
"Why, Dick" she Knocked, "any one
would think that you were still in love
with me. Call again when I'm in!''
Dick called again and found her in
With her was a flashy type of gir
from Bjorn's. They chartered all the
e, ening of men and amusements. Dick
outstayed her, and. when she was
gone, asked Dolly to marry him.
"Why, Dick, what nonsense!" sale
Dolly. "I'm going to marry a ric1
man who'll take care of me properly
No, Dick, I'm fond of you, but-it's
absurd"
When he tried to speak about he1
companions Dolly was furious. An6
so Dick passed out Of her life.
But every evening he hurried from
the Office and paced the street opposite
Bjorn's, keeping guard over Dolly. He
followed her from the store to where
she ate, and then home. It was all he
could do.
One night she waited at the corner
instead of going to her restaurant
Dick, growing uneasy, after a while
watched man join her. He recog
nized Perkins. He followed them tt
smart restaurant in the theater dis
trict. A long time afterward the.
came out and got into a taxi.
Filled with uneasiness, Dick callel
another taxi and ordered the driver t,
follow it. When the driver stopped
he leaped out, handed the man hi
fare, and saw Perkins and the gir
ascending the steps Of shabby-look
ing apartment building
Perkins had the girl by the arm, a
if supporting her, and he did not Sc
Dick as lie hurried up the steps be
hind them in time to catch the doc
as it was swinging back.
Then he heard Dolly's voice, an
she spoke as if she were half-asleeI
or drugged:
'"This isn't my home, Mr.. Perkins
You've made mistake-I mean tn
driver. Take me-
Perkins caught her in his arms an
strained her to him. The gi1
screamed.
Dick leaped forward and dealt tn
manager a blow that sent him rec
ing. There were a few seconds o
furious encounter; Dick knocked hir
down. Mr.. Perkins stayed down.
Come, Dolly" said Dick. and, civ
ing her his arm, he led her out Of tn
place.
"Oh. Dick!" sobbed Dolly in tn
street. 1--WE been a fool. Heb
must have drugged me in that restar
rant, and-how did you know?'
"Why, I've been looking out for 70,
of course" said Dick. Don't you re
member what we promised each othe
at NewtOn?"
"That was so long ago. Oh, Dicl
If you could care-but I'm not you
kind now. You don't want to marry
girl from Bjorn's!''
"Just give me the chance" sal
Dick, putting his arm about her.
And as their lips met Bjorn's We
blotted out forever.