The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-10
CHAPTER DCLv.

ctency' basis during the day MT. Lacy was scheduled to visit 1t for the first time Miss May settled down to bus mess almost grinaly after shed ex- hibited her first amazing business like attitude on the score of my wis itor. I blocked out my plans for the Ye1da copy and she typed and drew and lettered so cleverlY that the rough drafts clearly revealed just 1 how the advertisements were going to show up when they got into print l But when the afternoon drew to a l close my assistant showed decided signs of uneasiness.
 l Don't make me stay and meet MT. 1 Lacy'' she begged. I'm so awkward with strangers. I don't know how to act or what to say. I'm nothing but l a secretary and can't feel that be- 1 long, 1 You belong right here,'' I replied l grimly And here you stay. It's l high time you overcan1e your diff l dence and shyness and learned to l meet people. Once you can talk up to the rest of the world as you do to me, you'll be put in the niche l where you belong Don't let me l hear you talk about your job so snobbish1y. Never again-young l woman!'
 But my words didn't put the poor, shy spinster at her ease. I felt a1- most a brute for making her stay to meet MT. Lacy in spite of the fact that as my right hand man and partner, she must learn to meet peo- pie and handle situations. However, needn't have worried or reproaehed myself.
 It was precisely five-thirtv when Ralph Lacy came into the office. I was at the telephone, so I could only look up long enough to smile and 1 frja P1,+ return of greetings. MT. Lacy pro- ceeded to march over to Miss May with his hand held out and his face as ingenious and friendly as child He drew up a chair and began chat ting with her in a matter of course fashion. His voice was too low to trouble me, but hers buzzed out now and then in a nervous staccato. To save her from misery. I cut my own conversation short and called out a 1 greeting to the visitor.
 Good afternoon, Mrs Harrison ," he said, coming over to shake hands. Then he returned to his chair by Miss Mays side, and smiled at her as he spoke. 'HThis partner of yours has an exaggerated idea, of your import ance. She wouldn't cast one glance at the proofs I've brought up till you'd seen 'em. How do you get folks that way?"
 I l
 You told me that your partner was a. marvel" grfnned MT Lacy, with a boyish impotence which made Miss May smile shyly and uncertainty. But I didn't grasp it. You know men always discount feminine enthu- siasm about twenty per cent''
 Mfrs. Harrison's very sincere and conservative in all her statements began Miss May with her usual ready defensive for me.
 ''You said it yourse1f-as should n't,'' fwinkled MT. Lacy so gaiIy that Miss May ventured a little gigg1e in response. "Her remarks in re part ner were absolutely correct. You come up to specifications Madame '
 He. ro~s and made quick bow tc the drab little woman. Then, wief a deference, all the sweeter because it was clearly nothing more than youths chivalry to age, he went on:
 'H you're both ready, let's get down to brass taeks. Pm not going to make habit of costing you you1 dinners, Mrs. Harrison"
 Miss Mays expression became a trif1e puzzled, and she tried for 2 look of weI1-bred deafness to what probably wasin't meant for her. Mr Lacy came to the rescue and saved her from the ugly feeling that come: from being shut out of secret oth CTS share.
 Mrs. Harrison was shameful1y de layed at my office few evenings agt and@'
 Then he stumbled and crimsoned no doubt realizing that he cou1dn' save one woman's peace of mind b, airing another's views. So I rushed ahead of him.
 And I'm an old fashioned wife as you know, Miss May we didn' trot out for belated sandwich ane GID of coffee together, as two ner might do.''