The St. Charles herald., 1922-07-08

Lane--sunny, helpful Bob--had mean'
TO her. And now, along with the real
ization, came Il storm OF resentment
that he should have dared to make
her think him fine and clean ana ali
that was desirable in manhood, while
hiding from her. and doubtless derid
| ing her ingenuousness, that hideous
| other side OF him that Emmons had
| found out and Collurd SO suddenly and
| belatedly revealed. She felt victimiZec
aud dlsgraced In her own eyes.
In this mood she went out to most
unsatisfactory lunch. And In this
| mood she was returning, when at
street corner she found herself look
| Ing suuarely into the eyes of Bob
Lane. lie was poorly dressed, indeed.
| and his face was thin and haggard.
| There was a trace of embarrassment,
too, as he put himself in her way and
extended his hand but the eyes were
as frank as ever-and eager.
Rose had not thought of meeting him
thus, or at all. She had planned no
course of action. Suddenly she was
aware that her heart had given one
great wild leap: that Il high anger had
possessed her, and that she had iS
nored his hand, stepped aside and
| passed ON without u word or second
look at him. She was shaking when
she reached the bookshop.
Ten minutes afterward Mr.. EN-
mons. also returning from lunch, looked
curiously at Rose as he passed her
then he turned and asked her to come
back to the desk with him.
Miss Blythe" said Emmons blunt
ly, 'why did you give Bob Lane such
CHASTITY cut just now? / was just
behind you"
The bitterness of Roses disappoint-
ment in Lane was still upon her. ''You
should know better than any one else
Mr. Emmons," she answered. Il can
not be friends with thief"
Emmons's eyebrows went up. "a
thief! What the deuce? There's
some misunderstanding here. guess
In five minutes he had picked it all
out OF her-what Collard had told her
at which he looked grimly grave: the
shock it had been to her, at which ht
hid whimsical. smile.
"Now let me tell you something
young lady," said EmmOns. "BOt
Lane was not discharged. He went ou
of this business for a reason of hi!
own-whether it was good or not re
| ho af
time when it took nerve to throw up
Job, and he went out practically dea'
broke, for he'd just finished paying TO
terrible costly operation on his sis
ter's crippled boy. He'd had prett.
rough time of it this winter, take ii
although he didn't complain. You see
had a talk with him just after yo'
snubbed him, and he came back her
only because the sister has been yer.
i'll an rgged for him to come. Bu
the i, is. he knew very well whel
he went that he was likely to hav
rough shedding.
Bob is coming back into the store
Business is enough better to warran
it, and 1 told him to come In tomol
row. But now that I've had this tai
with you, he isn't coming back as
junior clerk; he's going to take Co
lard's job. Collard's plumb right abou
one thing-I won't keep the thief !
my employ; not even the kind OF
!, thief who can manage to keep hi
fingers eff his boss's money but can
keep from stealing rival suitor
good name!"
Rose was staring at her employer
her color coming and going.
Like a lightning flash had com
sudden illumination. ''Mr. Emmons
she trembled, "If Bob didn't have al
other position and wasn't discharge
why did he leave?"
"Can't you guess?" asked Emmons
"Oh, oh, yes-yes! And believe
such awful things, just because that
: that beast told them to me! Wh'
shall | say to him? What shall do
, II don't know, my dear. But Bt
: told me he had tramped and ridden II
!, bumpers and starved and been threa
g ened and had an altogether wretche
!, experience since he went away, b'
! never went down under anything till
= few minutes ago. II | were you, Ros
: I'd just lift him up"
, "Oh, if there's any way can wi
- | WILL He has been wonderful J"
: "Then dry your eyes and go back
: YOUR work." said Emmons, with h
:. whimsic smile. "For if ! know an
: thing of life, Bob will soon show "