Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-08-05

termination. and the hgniiied aloof-
ness Of Miss Eleanor served only 10
make him more DESTROYS Of knowing
the young lady inside that business
she'll
The next morning he opened the
door and walked directly across to
Miss Denslow, greeting her with a
smiling Good morning | hope you are
disposed 10 grant Il favor today
wish To get out an unusual amount ~
work before tomorrow Would II he
possible for me To engage your serv-
ices this evening" | can always do
better work when the noise of the day
Is stilled." With calm exterior he
awaited her reply. Eleanor heard his
request with surprise and looked al
him closely, trying 10 SEE II there was
anything more than business in this
suggestion.
y am not In the habit Of extending
my office hours into the evening
The answer was neither what he
hoped for nor what he feared Eleanor
never knew how it was that she con
sented 10 return to the office that eve
ming. Neither did she know how il had
come 10 be- a regular thing for her TO
dine with Mr.. Balcume twice week.
returning 10 the office for an evenings
work on his book
The time was not all spent In dicta-
ton. Many Interesting points came up
10 be discussed. Of course when they
stayed late Mr. Balcomc could not al
low her To 60 home alone one eve
ming they stopped work earlier than
usual Eleanor did not know that he
had 50 planned IT, when they reached
the apartment. Mr. Balcome said
1T Is too late 70 20 70 the theater
/ and too early 10 % home think you
will have to be- kind. and invite me To
come In. Miss Dcnslow."
She could not refuse 50 for the first
time the gray and rose nest Was in
vadcd by man. That night Eleanor
sat long in the gay cushioned chair,
thinking back over the days 10 that
first time when Bruce Ralcome had
walked into her office and into Ter
/ life. She could not remember when
She had commenced 70 think Of him aS
other than one Of the many customers
who went in and out Of her office How
had she let down the bars that Sepa-
/ rated her business and her home life!
\ few nights later she found box
/ of roses nj her door. Burying her face
I in their sweetness. she Spied note
My Dear Miss Denslow-I am going
/ home tomorrow
She read no further. Going home
/ going hnmc-without word" She
/ clenched the note tightly in her hand
Then he does not care And | thought
/ i thought" She dropped her head
on the table. her feelings too deep FOR
tears. Was ii trueI Had she read il
right? Slowly she raised her head.
dreading. Yet longing. To see the words
again. Her fingers looScned on the
note. Yes. but there was more. Per.
haps he explained. She glanced along
the lines:
Your assistance has meant much 10
me. and | shall miss our evenings to-
gethcr. My hope is that you. too. Will
miss them. and that your evenings will
be 50 lonely YOU will be ready To give
me Il warmer welcome when | return
than you did at our first meeting. |
look forward 10 spending next Satur-
day evening with YOU. and shall not
come 10 dictate but. II your smile of
fV.s III
Yours always BRUCE BALCOME"
''Ieur>. He had underlined it, Had
their comparionShip meant aS much
10 him rs 1t had To her: She would
know soon. but how could She wait:
II WAS "a waiting time filled with glow
ing hopes. She walked home al night
n In u dream. cooked her dinner in a
dream. and rs she sat down to II pie
tured a blue-eyed companion opposite.
Saturday came at last, ana even the
room itself seemed To- wear an air of
expectancy. The pink roSehuds which
showed their bushes against the soft
gray of the vase must have been re-
>ponSible for the rose flush on the face
of the rooms occupant. a flush which
drepened as steps sounded outside and
Il firm hand Knocked AT the door She
could not move tn open il. Another
knock, then voice. Eleanor" and.
as she drew the door back, the dream
figure that had been tenanting her
room vanished as Bruce Balcome stood
before her, a question In his eyes.
Eleanor. hope you have been lone
y this past week us horribly lonely as
| have been"
Her eyes spoke for her As they
looked into his. and he drew her 10
him closely.
Dearest. do you know what a
frigidly cold greeting you gave me
when first met you. As punish
mcnt | am going to compel you TO a
lifetime Of greetings of this kind"
and he lifted her face To his in n greet