The mirror., 1923-07-26
read" Of course they do read, such as

sporting editions, divorce news, and movie
stuff. And most of them can tell you Off
hand, and with considerable accuracy, just
how many times Miss Blank, the famous
picture star, has been married and di-
vorced; whether Mr.. so and so has gold
tooth upon the left side of his lower jaw;
and kindred film gossip; also, just how
many times Kid Wallop has punched some
bodys nose, or the number of Babe Ruth's
homeruns. All of which are perhaps as
really important as to know the exact
number of peanuts per ten cent sack, or
just what the frightened little mouse
thought or did when the old maid
screamed.
'Why Mr.. DePomp! How do you ever
think up such perfectly amazing COM
ments? Why, you ought to write
novel;" calculated Miss True.
"Nonsense," blurted DePomp. "I'm
only quoting remarks which folks have
made to me in all seriousness! Only the
other day, business man called, and as
he entered I laid aside book on music,
and after greetings he inquired "What
were you reading7" replied "The story
of Mozart's Twelfth Mass" and l re-
ceived the astounding information that
General Mozart and his 18th Massachu-
setts infantry made a great record in the
late war"
"Oh my goodness! How perfectly abb
surd!" cried Justice as she wiped tears
of laughter from her eyes. Then looking
at DePomp, she pleaded meekly and anx-
iously "T do hope that you will not think
me silly for asking you all these questions
about business matters"
"Most assuredly not, Miss True! And
I enjoyed your interest in the matter very
much!"
"Thank you Mr.. DePomp, for your
kindness, and the time given me. I am
so anxious to see and learn about every
thing and accomplish something, I hard
ly know what. My task seems stupen-
dous!"
As Justice arose to CO. Mr.. DePomp fol-
lowed her to the door, and, with cordial
handshake, invited her to call again.
She had scarcely reached the elevator,
when Mrs. DePomp sailed grandly into
the Office door, To Miss Watson's cordial
greeting, the wife of the money king gave
but a curt nod of her queenly head, and
with rustic of silks, passed on into the
private office, leaving behind her the odor
of delicate perfume, and an impression in
Miss Watson's mind that beneath this re-
gal exterior there was a character of
coarse and snobbish vulgarity. A strik
ing contrast to the refined, genteel, and
unostentatious Justice True, whatever of
mystery there was in her past life.
Mr.. DePomp arose and advanced to
meet his wife with outstretched arms.
Mrs. DePomp suffered moments embrace
and sat down, gesturing her husband to
do likewise.
"It is so warm that I discontinued my
shopping ana came up 10 rest TOT mo
ment." She exhaled long breath and
began tanning herself, whereupon, Mr..
DePomp pressed a desk button which
started ceiling fan going. "That will
be more comfortable" he remarked.
"As came in, noticed that "True"
woman passing down the hallway 1 was
afraid that she might speak to me, so I
turned aside, for I don't wish to meet her
in public"
DePomp smiled, and said,-"Miss True
was leaving here"
~ surmised as much" replied his wife.
"What could her mission be? Soliciting
funds for charity presume" and she
arched her eyebrows disdainfully.
"No,-just asking position as janitress
for widow lady, and told her that I
would arrange job for her."
"Gerald,-I do wish that you would be