Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1925-11-20
z70 Much .Effffiiciehcy
By E.JG.5SSxsss)RdH
~ let me co." answer

~ 4-@ ~ ~
mot until you let me go" answer
ed the efficiency man.
And then maybe"
With a little cry of dismay she dis
engaged her arms from his neck.
Let me gop she repeated.
Temporarily or permanently"
he asked with great elaboration.
"B-bothr'
H. Hedge shook his head sadly.
81 never could do two things at
once" he said. ITS unscientific
even to try"
'Please-please!"
"In that case, temporarily" he de-
clared, as he reluctantly withdrew
the arm that held her close.
Constance's cheeks were fiery; she
prayed that the gloom of the back
stairs rendered all colors neutral.
Thank you-for catching me"
Out in the courtyard stood a road
ster, the engine idling wheezily.
Tommy Treadweil was standing be-
side it, nervously tapping on a fend-
er. His eyes lighted with happiness
as he sighted the furred figure of
Constance and he sprang forward of
assist with the grip.
"You dear old brick, he cried.
Morning, Tommy" said Con-
stance.
Tommy had seized the grip and
swung it up on the baggage carrier
in the read, where he bagan an ad-
justment of the straps, Meantime,
Constance stepped in era settled her
self nervously in one of the bucket
seats.
The efficiency man arrived in the
courtyard while Tommy was still
working at the grip. AS Constance
sighted him, she observed with a
sinking heart that he was clothed in
one of his ominous Gains.
Good morning." he said, as he
walked across the open space.
Constance paled slightly and did
not answer. Tommy Treadwell
fumbled furiously at a starp and
said nothing.
Hedge reached the side of the car,
leaned over, pressed button on the
dash and turned off the ignition. The
engine stopped.
"You let that car alonew called
Tommy angrily.
"All right; will" said the eff
cheney man, stepping back a pace
and cycling Constance.
Tommy finished with the grip and
came around to the side of the car.
"Well?" asked Hedge.
"Well?" echoed Tommy.
Whats the idea?"
The clippers exchanged swift
glances and Tommy became embol-
dened.
"WeH, if it'll give you any satisfac
ton to know" he announced, Con-
ME and l are going to be married"
"You surprise me-" said the eff
cheney man. 81 though we had con-
cluded that matter last night"
"You thought wrong. It's all set
tied" Y
"True; it's settled. Miss Brooke is
not going to marry you"
Tommy flashed a dull red and
there was a fighting look in his eye.
care you, Miss Brooke? asked
Hedge.
Constance compressed her lips and
nodded.
(Which shows how error will pre-
sist," said the efficiency man, ap-
parently talking to himself.
He stepped around to the rear of
the car, Embossed strap with deft
motion, and swung Constance's grip
to the pavement.
"You may as well aight, Miss
Brooke" he said.
Tommy Treadwell sprang forward
and confronted him across the grip.
you'd betted keep out of this"
he said grimly.
Tommy was quite large young
man, fully as large as Billy Brooke.
He was taller than the efficiency
man, and wider. But H. Hedge did
not appear to be observant of Tom
my's bulk just at that instant. HIS
was looking only at his eyes.
81 can't keep out of it," he said
simply. st happens to be my duty
to stay in it. Go in the house, Miss
Brooke"
Constance remained immovable in
her seat and maintained silence.
you're the one that's going in the
house." announced Tommy, clench-
ing his fist. "And maybe they'll
carry you in, if you don't get out of