Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-07-09
COLVIN LENDS
WILLING HAND
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS


away at her typewriter perfectly I'M
conscious that fate in the guise OF her
employer was weaving bit of rO-
nance for her.
Miss Danvers," Colvin said pulling
his nominations into expression Il
am going to ask a very large favor of
you and want you to take it seriously
and not be either amused or inSulted.'
Nancy's bright eyes twinkled as they
looked straight back at him. Il sup
pose | am as game as you evidently
expect me to be- she told him, what
is it,"
Il want you to pose as my be-
trothed for short time. 1t is Il curl
Gus request, | know, bur | am going to
Try to nod young Sanford ON his feet.
He's slipping backward. | promised
his father | would look after him and
keep him going ahead and am hav-
ing a harder time than | exactly APP
preciate.
Nancy looked her establishment.
And how can help?'
Colvin smiled. by being engaged to
me and from the safety and supposed
immunity of your position to Vamp
young Sanford until he is so madly in
love With you that he will straighten
up and be the man that he really is
in the depths of him..
You flatter me-" laughed Nancy.
and l suppose he would not vamp so
easily-if | were free
and now, Miss Danvers--or Nancy
as we had better make it-since we
are to be engaged | must get ring
and for the next few days had we bet
ter not rehearse. as it were, by getting
wee bit familiar with each other
outside of office routine. Lunch
theater and a bit of atfection-we must
not seem awkwArd-when we spring
ourselves on Sanford"
"Yes-David-I feel dreadfully I'M
acquainted with yOu-as my tiance."
Nancy laughed with joyous surrender
to the situation. Butt think ii will
be fun-only please don't think me for
ward if l seem to-love you-when Mr.,
Sanford is about"
GO as far as you like" agreed
| Colvin. I'm bit of a duffer about
women, outside an office, so you'll have
| to prompt me-" He looked helplessly
at her now that they were actually
| embarked on their curious journey.
! "However, We will take lunch together
noW-if you are free
A half hour later they went together
| down to the street entrance. Once
there, Colvin would have marched off,
but Nancy slipped her arm well within
his and allowed him to pilot her across
I the crowded streets.
Colvin had baked ever so slightly
at first, but Nancy's quick whisper,
young Sanford might see u.s." left
him obedient and by the time they had
walked three blocks the warmth Of
Nancys arm against his side had a
most soothing effect. SO much did he
appreciate her sportiness in this re-
quest of his that he stopped to pur-
! chase three fragrant red rosebuds for
her.
She smiled up into his eyes and
pinned them against the soft black at
her neck. You are going along splen-
didly," she told him.
Back at the office door after lunch
Colvin would have opened the door to
enter, but Nancy stopped him with a
tug at his arm.
Don't you know what an engaged
man would do before going in there?"
she questioned. He would glance
swiftly up and down the corridors,
snatch a quick kiss and then go in
looking perfectly unconcerned."
You little imp" said Colvin, "I'll be
sorry for young Sanfords chances
when you begin vamping him." and he
opened the door and they went back
to business. Colvins brain took up
the threads of finance and Nancy'S ma
chine clicked as usual. But about half
past four Colvin stood beside her.
Can we have theater and dance to-
nightY'
Il should love it," There was no
doubt about the girls pleasure. II can
slip home and into another frock and
we can dance while before the the
ater | just love dancing"
They arranged to meet at seven and
Colvin stood watching the Broadway
crowd until taxi stopped and Nancy
stepped out. Colvin caught his breath.
Was this dainty fragrant, chittony bit
of fluff his Miss l. MYERS of the office?
"Well, DaNey, dear-here we are"
she laughed.
"Nancy!' was Colvin's only greeting
as they went within the big restaurant
and found coy table, He put off
the silky wrap she wore, then found
his voice, You're gloriously, wonder
fully beautiful" was what he said.
Lets have one dance before we dine"
Nancy arose and he came toward
her, masterfu look in his eyes that
she had seen often in them when con-
quering a big business affair.
b.J