The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04

sy CAROLINE STOREY.

the nve Dusy macnlneS, Tor the tihk-
ling little jingle 1t gave was compare
lively faint. Perhaps, as no expec-
tant faces were raised. the only one
who did hear 1t ring was the girl who
sat nearest and answered 1t impati.
emily.
Peggy! Peggy Somebody for you,
she shrilled to one OF the girls who
was manipulating her machine with
rapid accuracy. The young woman
called arose, hurriedly crossed the
room and took the receiver from Its
resting place.
Hello! Oh, hello, Jim What jew
say? Oh, get you. No, 'mawful FOR
ry. Jim, but | gotta mother engage
ment for this evening-thanks, thanks,
just the same, though, Jim. Uh huh !!
Whazzat? Oh! somebody you don't
know. No-I couldn't honest.
couldunt-he'd be awful sore, know /;
he's that Jealous. Why don't you ask
Mamie? Shed like ter go. l think.
Yuh-feeling fine, thanks. How're
you? That's good-alrightee Goo
bye, Jimmy, bye"
Peggy was as bright as they make
them-and then some. II was rumored
among the other girls that she was in
line for the head Of the Office force,
which was soon to become vacant.
Eventually the rumor became fact,
and ggy was authoritatively in
stalled In the position.
The busy morning wore on until the
sirens and whistles began to call and
scream over the smoky city. proclaim
ing a rest for the work-a-day world.
Peggy, after settling a chic toque on
her glistening locks and donning a
modish coat, which enveloped her,
Joined her friend Mamie at the en-
trance TO the building.
Jimmy give you an invite to the
show for ternite?" Peggy casually in
quired. as they were making slow
progress towards small but respect
able restaurant several blocks away
from the building.
"Yep! he called me up this morning
an asked me to go. How'd you know?
Ask you first?" Mamie looked ques-
tioningly at her with one unsophisti-
/. Gated blue eye-the other being OBJ
scured by the rakish tip OF her hat.
Peggy extracted small hand-mirror
(cloudy with powder) from her hand
bag and critically regarded herself In
IL after she had wiped 1t clear with a
slightly soiled handkerchief. from
which exuded the plainly distinguish
able odor OF violet perfume. Peggy
had passion for perfume-especially
the highly pungent kind that can he
purchased nj the bargain sales Mt 81 40
per.
"Yuh, | suggested that he asked
you." she explained. briefly. generously
covering her nose with powder.
"Somethings the matter, or you'd
have gone with him Yourself" COM
mented Mamie. slightly nettled by the
explanation. "I'll bet you hadda tif-
bout time for one, anyway. You
know you always useter give up any
other dates for him--no matter what
they were"
aloofy. but got over that foolish
ness long ago. like Jim, an all that.
but it's tiring to keep going round
with the same fellow all the time. No
tiff tall. I'm going out with Mr.. Ger
ard this evening-he's been taking me
out for about week now"
The oncoming pedestrian traffic mo-
mentarily separated the two. When
they had disentangled themselves and
were united again Peggy continued: !:
"First we're going TO swell cafe
then to show. and wind up with
roof garden. He's a real nice man
even If he does need to use hair tonic
and take smaller size belt. An
when IL comes to spending fortune.
he knows how" she announced EN-
phatically, peeling the paper from a
piece OF gum. AN Mamie, promise
you won't tell.'
"what Is IT." asked Mamie, mildly
interested. but still preserving dis.
tant attitude OF hurt friendship.
Peggy popped the gum into her
mouth. Hes on the edge Of propos-
ing--I expect him to ternite," she said
confidentially "Hayva piece"
The next noon, over their coffee and
doughnuts and above the clatter of
dishes in their usual eating place, Peg.
gy. with explanatory gestures. mar.
rowed eyes and righteous Indignation.
Informed Mamie the cold and bitter
truth about Mr.. Gerard.
"An' after his funny-faced wife fin.
ished with him" she ended her nara.
tive taking long drink Of her luke.
warm coffee 10 give time for Mamie to
become duly impressed. "I made my.
self scarce"
"You poor thing" exclaimed Mamie
sympathetically II hadda punk time.
too. What you see in Jim don't
know. Last night he was the deadli.
est. pckiest--"
Peggy's cup descended on the mar
ble-topped table with an omlnous and
rather unnecessary frmness.
"Ohl Is he?" she interrupted slow.
Iv with 1aodIv amnbaciq hacomtno