The herald., 1922-06-15
Mr.. Fagin's
Secretary
BY MALCOLM BROWN

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
$50 you're the young man that
thinks he can act as my secretary,
heyT inquired Mr.. Pagan, swinging
round in his swivel chair and staring
at Blake under pair OF bushy gray
eyebrows. Nine and twenty I've
turned down today, but II you think
you can manage-shake hands,
He gave Mr.. Pagan his hand and
felt q peculiar pressure of the fingers.
which his own leaped to meet. Then:
II left college last year, sir" he
began. II can"
Tut, tut, young man." replied the
eccentric. Consider yourself en-
gagged. 1t warns my heart to meet
you. I'm a judge of men and-we're
both Irishmen, amt WEI"
Indeed we are" said Blake enthusi-
astically. And so he went TO work
and proved highly efficient.
Blake had two troubles about this
time. One was his ability to dis
cover how it could be that a man Of
Fagan's apparent limited education
had gone through college. The other
was Fagan's daughter, Muriel. 1t was
a case of love at first sight with both
the young people.
1t was about two months after his
introduction to the manufacturers
house that he found himself seated be-
side Miss Muriel upon the piazza. He
took her hand, and drew the girl TO
him and kissed her.
"Muriel, dearest" he said, do you
know l have loved you ever since
set eyes on your
Muriel blushed 80 divinely that
there was nothing to do but repeat the
episode.
"But / don't know what your father
will say" ne said, with the timid fear
Of lovers. IF he discharges me-w1ll
you wait, Muriel?"
"For ever" she whispered. BE
sides, I can win over papa. What Is q
papar'
So II happened that when he stood
before his employer and stammered
out his story. In the way young mer
approach wealthy old gentlemen
Fagan's eyes fixed themselves upor
Blakes's shirt-front and narrowed Il
needle lines.
MAY I ask you why you are wear
ing a green tie on this day Of all days
Mr.. Baker" he demanded, with omin
Gus calm.
why" said Blake. hesitating, "yo'
see, today is the anniversary Of tn
Battle Of the Boyne, a day abhorren
to all good Irishmen. and"
Blake's great grandfather had bee
hanged for treason in the days o
Robert Emmett.
Pagan leaped out Of his chair wit
the agility Of a tiger.
"Scoundrel Scum Of Limerick" b
yelled. ITO insult a good Belfast ma
by Haunting the green fiag!" Your
fred. I'll have your pay sent you
~
~Come, papa, what Is all TIL
aboutT inteposed Muriel's soothin
voice.
Hes wearing Of the greenland
this day, Of all days" stormed hi
father.
Father, dear-for my sake listen
pleaded Muriel. 81 am sure that A
thur-Mr. Blake can explain ever.
thing. Father" she pleaded, I'VE lo'
each other.
But he's a damned rebel. Moll,
and-and the Internal impudence {
I'll"
"Tell him it's all mistake. A
thur" pleaded Muriel.
ut amt mistake, It's Jul
treachery," roared her father. NH
and twenty good men. fine men.
turned down that morning till he gay
me the grip"
"What gripr demanded Blake.
1.-THE grip Of the United Orang
mems Brotherhood" roared the o
man.
"The grip I gave you" answer
Blake, was that Of the Alpha Omei
Mu fraternity. I had been told
helped a man to get position by q
ing It. I thought you were a cole
man."
Old Pagan stared at him In stup
wonder. Then:
"Giye me that grip again." he sal
and Blake, all against the fraterni
rules, delivered 1t.
my fault" he acknowledged. ~
got your thumb crossed In the wro
Mace. It must have been my 60
had made me imagine-Well. you
fellow, maybe I'll let you keep 20
Job"
"And how about Miss FaganT
quired the other.
"Muriel7 My daughter I'll
you-I-er-nowd don't cry, Molly, de-
I guess she goes with the job"