The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-03
CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER NM
Miss Farrell was surprised to find
her employer already in his office
when she unlocked the door at eight
o'clock the next morning, and her
surprise was increased when Har-
wood, always puncdnous in such mat
tiers, ignored the good-morning with
which she greeted him. The electric
lights over Dams desk were burning,
a fact not lost upon his stenographer,
It was apparent that Harwood had
either spent the night in his office or
had gone to work before daylight.
Roses ewes were as sharp as her
wits, and she recognized at a glance
the file-envelopes and papers relating
to the Kelton estate. many Of them
superscribed in her own hand, that lay
on Harwood's desk.
She snapped off the lights with an
air that implied reproof. or could not
have failed Of that effect if the man
At the desk had been conscious OF
the act. He was hopelessly dis
traught and his face appeared no less
nallid i'm daylight than in the electric
glare in which Rose had found him.
As the girl warmed her hands at the
radiator in the reception room the
telephone chimed cheerily. The
telephone provides q welcome com
rauionship for the office girl: its i'm
portunities and iusolences are at
once her delight and despair. Rose
took down the receiver with relief.
She parleyed guardedly with an un-
seen questioner and addressed Har-
wood from the door in the cautious.
apologize tone with which wise Of
Gee girls break in upon the medita-
tions Of their employers.
Pardon me. Mr.. Harwood. Shall
8 say you're engaged. It's Mr.
Thatcher"
Dan half-turned and replied with a
farneness Rose had not expected.
Say what You please, Rose: only
don't want TO talk to him or see
him. or anybody"
The clock I'm the courthouse tower
h"oned nine sombrely. Dan dis
'tusted its accuracy as he distrusted
-s-,.ry-' hfnl, I'm the world that morning
walked liStlessly 70 the window
ronpared the face Of the clock
r .-a his watch. He had thought IT
i... be- noon: but the hour Of the day
.fE not matter greatly
"I.'s afi right" said Rose meeklv
f."n thc door. ct told him YOU We're
probably ~ tho Statehouse.
"Whnu? oh. thank you Rose"
And then. as though 70 ease her CON
Science for this mild mendacitv. he
added. .I believe I did have an en-
gaEeuent over there at nine"
"He said" Rose began warilv.
and then gave him an opportunity to
cut her short.
What Gid he say?"
"oh. he was hot, He said If YOU
came IN before he found you. to say
that if YOU and Ramsay didn't help
him deliver tho freight today he
would get action tomorrow: that
that's the limit"
He said tomorrow. did he? Very
well, Rose. That's all"
Rose. virtuously indexing the let.
textbook, saw Harwood as he idly
ranged the rooms. try the hall door
to make sure it was bolted. Then he
stood at the window of his own room.
staring at nothing. The telephone
chimed cheerfully at intervals. Ram
say sought him; Thatcher had sta
toned one Of his allies nj the telephone
booth in the State House corridor to
call the office at regular intervals.
Newspaper reporters demanded to
know where HarwOod could be found;
the governor, ranking under the crit
icism he had brought upon his party
BY the special session. wished to SEQ
HARDWOOD to learn whom, If possible.
the legislature would take itsolf home.
To these continual importurities Rose
replied in tones of surprise. regret. or
chagTin, as the individual case de-
manded. without again troubling her
employer. The index completed. she
filed papers. smoothod her yellow
hair at the washstand. exchanged
fraternal signals with girl friend in
the office opposite. and read the
"Courier's" report of the senatorial
struggle with complete understand
ing Of its intricacies.
"Rose"'
&c was IL CLOCK when HarWOOd
called her. He had brushed aside the
mass Of documents she had noted on
her arrival, and a single letter sheet
lay before him. Without glancins IN
he babe her sit down. She had
brought her notebook prepared to take
dictation- He glanced at it and shook
his head The tired Indifferent Har-
wood she had found at the end Of his
night vigil had vanished: he was or~o
more the alert. earnest Young man of
action she admired
Rose. 7 want to ask Won some que.
tons. think Won viii believe mo If
7 say that 7 shouldn't ask them if
they were not Of importance-of very
great Importance"
IAN right Mr.. HARDWOOD"
Her eyes had fallen upon the letter
and her lids nuttered quickly. She
touched her pompadour with the back
Of her hand and frightened the knot of
her tie
This is on the dead. Rose. It con
csrnsAa lot Of people, and it's inpor-