The Dolores star., 1922-02-10
LABOR. TROUBLE.
BY GRACE r. OlIN.

'SeHt Iof you, Betty, said Mr..
Horace fremont. leaning back in his
chair and looking very fierce indeed.
Il sent for you, because We might
us well thrash this thing out now, as
any time
Betty studied her slim silken clad
ankles and neat pumps critically, and
suppressed a yawn gracefully.
Just what have | done. father, to
add to your wOrries?' she asked In
nocently.
1T isn't what you have done, it's
what you are doing. Now, Betty, let's
he done with beating around the bush,
and get down to business: my time is
valuable"
$50 is mine, father" Betty glanced
al the little gold watch. Twenty
minutes more. exactly. and | have an
engagement for luncheon"
'In that case" answered Mr.. Horace
fremont. biting the end off his cigar
tritie vici"usly, "we'll come straight
to the point. It's about young Preston
Upon your recommendation and be.
cause of your atiilation in Red Cross
work, | engaged Preston as my
private secretary So far. all well
and good Then, without asking my
approval, my daughter allows my
private secretary to make love to her,
which is neither well nor good.
"rhey dine, dance auto and swim
together, under my very nose, and ex.
pect to get away with It.
Nov comes Harkins, in the opposite
building, with story. Young Preston
is milking love to my daughter he
says, that he may baSk in the sunshine
Of luxury via my money.
"Who is he? asks someone else.
"'Tis funny, insists another. Betty
doesn't care to introduce him and 50
It goes. Who is he? l question also.
And why does thirty-iive dollar
week secretary make advances to my
daughterf"
"Mr. Harkins offered Mr. Preston
ten dollars more "a week if he would
come to him, did you know that"
asked Betty, spiritedly.
(Which only strengthens my argu-
ment," answered Mr.. Horace fremont.
grimly. ''Mr. Harkins has no charm
ing daughter to assist him in finally
getting in soft, and there you are"
Dad. there is no idea of getting in
soft In Mr.. PreSton's head, | assure
you"
Betty Mr. Horace fremont leaned
forward and spoke almost patiently,
I've been In business now for thirty
years, and | guess I'm as shrewd as
they come.
Now, you think this young fellow is
deeply in love with you just for your
own charming self. and l think he's
fortune hunter: Think it over. Hasn't
your dads Judgment a right to count"
81 he e inherited great many traits
from you, l imagine, father" She
raised serene blue eyes to his.
The man at the desk opposite her
scowled reproachfully.
"If you please, we'll stick to bust
ness" he said.
but we are sticking to business
Betty dimpled ever so charmingly. II
encouraged being made love to by
WHIP"
will p fairly roared her father. $50
it's reached that stage, has it?'
"You see, win is much too austere
and formal, so I generally make 1t
Billy" ..'
"Tell Mr.. Preston 1 want to see him."
Mr.. Fremont told the office boy who
answered his ring.
"Hello, Billy" called Betty cheerily,
as tall young man entered the sane
tum and closed the door after him.
"Why, hello, dear the young man
answered, eagerly.
"Just minute, Preston" Mr.. Tre-
mont halted him with gesture. "For
the first time in my career there Is
labor trouble In my Office"
"Just what do you mean by that,
sir?" asked the young man, respect
fully.
"Just what / said-labOr trouble.
engage a secretary to labor for my pest
interests and there is no end of trouble
over it. He wins my confidence and
then, behind my back, makes love to
nv daughter Wouldn't you call that
labor troub'e?"
"Mr. fremont" said Preston you and
Garrett Bowdoin were once gooa
friends and later bitter enemies.
Everybody in town knows of your
absurd quarrel and the stubbornness
on both sides to make up.
"When Betty and / met we thought
IL I could establish myself In your
good graces. as she has already done
in Garrett Bowdoln's eyes, all would