The Raymer enterprise., 1923-07-19
THE EXPERIMENT
sy MoLLIG MATHGR

nOt Lne ut0 um0 tneI nis niece nau
brought from him lids slsn Of dis
tress.
my dear Bob" he said, Il don't see
how can influence Patsy to marry
you, though that 10 The dearest wish
Of my heart. You have those staying
qualities that Patncia's willfulness
needs. Why Is she avsrss to your
"Averse!" Bob exclaimed, indig.
nantly. "Why. Pat loves meas much
a. she can settle down to love any
body"
The man leaning against the desk
smiled.
"'When she will, she will,'" he quot.
ed, land you may depend ont
When she won't. she won't, and
there's an end ont"
Did you ever try making Patsy
jealouss I've heard that 10 q great
remedy for tardiness In love-"
I've thought I'd like to try her out
on that" Bob said.
A stenogrnpher entered the Office
at this moment. and gathering up some
notes left the room.
Il will see you presently, Miss
Orme," the lawyer said. The young
woman smiled. Bob wheeled about as
she smiled.
"Jove!" he exclaimed, what
graceful, ladylike girl. Poise, Barney,
poise, In every line Where'd she
come fromT
Barnett Adams sank into chair.
"Pve just thought Of Z possible
plan, Bob" he returned. Better stay
few minutes. Miss Orme is par.
ticular friend Of Pats. You have not
been privileged to meet her, because
the girl forswears society In general.
She was Patricia's college chum. II
was Pat who persuaded me to employ
her, and Miss Orme has made good In
the business world Occasionally Pat
brings her to take dinner with Us.
Miss Orme Is always eager to show
her gratitude to me for my interest
in her behalf. Also, she knows our
delightful. provoking Patsy well. And
Is as anxious as for her future wei.
fare. All Of which," added Barnett
Adams. "leads up to the plan which !
am considering II might be well to
ask Pat to invite her friend to the
house for several evenings-and II
you happened In, that would appear
only the natural thing. Miss Orlne
forewarned. would. think, be able
to resist your dangerous fascination.
Bob. II you should devote yourself to
her for short space Of time. II our
difficult charge shows signs Of jeal
ousy-well, then, press your advan-
tage."
Bob, passing out later through an
adjoining Office, glanced toward the
smooth, dark head Of Miss Olive Orme
and thought that hh task would not
be a hard one.
"Of course III ask Ollie, the dear"
Patsy warmly assured her uncle that
evening-and In return for my will
ingness. you'll come out Of your shell,
guardian Barney, won't your
''It's one thing being a bachelor b.
preference-and another to be selfish
In your own satisfaction. I'll let Bob
come. and we will have jolly eve.
ming together"
The evening, when 1t arrived, was
not as jolly as anticipated. And
there seemed to be no reason for this.
Patricia, at the plano. could not un-
derstand what was the matter. Uncle
Barnett had come obligingly "out o!
his shell"-Or out Of his usual com.
Portable place In his study, and Olive
Orme was her gay. old.time. college
self Bob was apparently charmed
with this heretofore unknown friend
Of Patsy's, and Ignoring Uncle Bar.
ney, fingered to chat at her side.
Patricia remained at the piano. She
was al0ne-a novel experience for the
popular young woman. When Miss
Orme arose to 60 Bob, with hurried
excuse to Patricia, went with her
wouldn't do to let the girl go home
Alone" he whispered.
Patsy gathered up her music. "Good.
night she abruptly told her guardian.
Patriclas guardian was sadly dis
tressed-and the ball which he had
started rolling was now impossible to
stop.
Without Invitation the formerly dis.
tant Miss Orme came frequently to
Patricla's home TO spend an evening,
and on these evenings Bob also would
be sure to appear.
Back In the Office the employer re.
garded his stenographer with In.
creaslng coldness. And while Miss
orme appeared to be perplexed by
this attitude, she was not distressed.
After succession Of sleepless
nights Barnett Adams felt called upon
to ask his former favorite a question.
He summoned Bob.
"Your plan?" he asked caustlcally.
May l be permitted to know II It has
had the desired result, or have you
become Indifferent regarding that re
sult?"
Bob grinned.
Those two precious girls have been
taking us ln," he said.
"Seems that Olive dropped hint