The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-07-19
The Girl From
Bjorn's
BY JUSTIN wENTWooD


Fancy meeting you In New York I"
exclaimed Dolly, putting out a neat
goved hand to Dick. "What are you
doing here?'
"rve got clerical job downtown"
said Dick. "And yoI, Dollyp
"l'm in the ladies' dresses depart
ment OF BJorn's," said Dolly.
"Can call and see your"
"Oh, yesW She gave him her adj
dress, boarding house In the BlftIes.
"But I'm pretty busy. Dick" She
laughed. Y0ne makes friends quickly
here"
Dick frowned as pretty Dolly Mat
tlews walked quickly away. BJorns
was fashionable department store,
but-well, he had heard things about
the character Of its 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. lie waited till
she arrived--in taxi, accompanied
by man who put Dicks back up.
He was an overdressed nashy look
Ing Individual who attempted TO kiss
Dolly on the steps. Dolly dIsengaged
herself laughing, and the man. per-
celvlng Dick, turned away with
scowl. A minute later the two we're
alone.
"Well. Dlck?" There was mild inter-
ogatlon in Dolly's look.
Dolly, who's your friend"
THAT? Mr.. Perkins, the business
manager of Bjorn's. He's a good fell
low"
lie tried TO Kiss your
"Well" she famed out, what II he
cid? One has to stand in with these
people and lead them on bit If one
wants to get anywhere"
Dick felt cold thrill up his spine
dolly" he pleaded, ~ 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 stil in love
= with me. Call again when I'm in"
Dick called again and found her in.
With her was tlashy type of girl
from Bjorn's. They chartered all the
e,enlng of men and amusements. Dick
outstayed her. and, when she was
gone, asked Dolly to marry him.
why, Dick, what nonsensel" said
: Dolly I'm going to marry rich
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 her
/ companions Dolly was furious. And
j. so Dick passed out of her life.
But every evening he hurried from
u the Office and paced the street opposite
Bjorn's, keeping guard over Dolly. He
:, followed her from the store to where
u she ate, and then home II was all he
i could do.
i One night she waited at the corner
e instead of going to her restaurant
J. Dick, growing uneasy. after while
It watched man join her. He recog-
: nIzed Perkins. He followed them to
= u smart restaurant in the theater dis
y trict. long time afterward they
{ came out and got into taxi.
u Filled with uneaslness, Dick called
, another taxi and ordered the driver tC
follow It. When the driver stopped
he leaped out. handed the man his
fare, and saw Perkins and the cir
ascending the steps of shabby-look
ing apartment building.
: Perkins had the girl by the arm, a;
| If supporting her. and he did not SCI
| Dick as lie hurried up the steps be
hind them in time TO catch the dool
as 1t was swinging back.
| Then he heard Dolly's voice, an(
she spoke as If she were half-asleep
or drugged:
| "This isn't my home, Mr.. Perkins
You've made a mlstake-I mean thu
driver. Take me-"
| Perkins caught her in his arms an,
strained her to him. The cir
screamed.
Dick leaped forward and dealt tn,
manager a blow that sent him reel
ing. There were few seconds o
furious encounter; Dick knocked hin
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 fool. Heb
must have drugged me in that restau
rant, and--how did you know%
"Why, I've been looking out for yor
Of course" said Dick. Don't you re
member what we promised each othe
Mt Newton?"
"That was so long ago. Oh, DicE
II you could care-but I'm not you
kind now. You don't want to marry
I 10