Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-11-06
CHAPTER Nv


One lovely September morning, at
eleven o'clock, a smartly dressed young
man stepped briskly into the Office Of
the Harmer Motor company. He held
his soft gray hat in his hand, and
smiled as he said he wished to see Mr..
Harmer, If you please. The charm of
| his manner was not lost upon the
| young girl at the desk, who told him
with real regret that Mr.. Harmer was
in very important conference, and
| had left word that he did not wish to
be disturbed She professed her entire
willingness to produce any other per-
son connected with the establishment
who could be of any possible interest
to him. But the young man shook his
head. He said he must see Mr.. Har-
mer in person, and should very much
appreciate the earliest possible mo-
ment-consistent with Mr.. Harmer's
convenience, of course.
The girl said she would see, and
what name, please?
Duane Allerton, from New York
city,"
She smiled. She had been expecting
| "New York city" from the moment she
noted his entrance. She went away
and came back almost at once, saying
that Mr.. Harmer was very busy indeed,
and that another hour, or indeed an
other day would suit him better, but
recommending the services of his bust
| ness manager, who was available at
| the moment.
Duane considered that report. He
took letter from his pocket.
"Will you give this to Mr.. Harmer,"
he asked pleasantly, land tell him that
will return at any hour, or any day,
he cares to designate? But l prefer
not to see the business manager, I'M
| less he insists"
The girl smiled, and went away with
the letter, curiously studying the ad-
dress on the envelope. She was gone
some time. There was something like
awe in her face when she came back
and said Mr.. Harmer was waiting for
Mr.. Allerton in his private office. She
pointed the way, and Duane Allerton,
the soft gray hat still in his hand,
light of deep amusement In his dark
eyes, opened the door and walked in.
Jerrold was standing up, the letter
in his hand and the two men studied
each other with equal interest. Jer-
rold put out his hand.
'Tm sorry l kept you waiting" he
said, indicating an easy chair close to
his own. I'm apology, may l explain
that the young woman, my daughter,
did not evidently deem it necessary to
mention this little-er-invitation to
me?"
do you mean to say you didn't
know"
mot the slightest suggestion of
hint. 1t is news to me-"
Duane broke into a short pleased
laugh, and Jerrold, after puzzled,
anxious moment joined him.
II like that!" Duane said.
Jerrold showed box of cigarettes
toward him. Each took one and lit 1t
In silence. Duane leaned back COM
| fortably In his chair, and smiled at his
host. But Jerrold, under cover of the
cigarette, was sharply appraising, re-
marking the dapper smartness Of
Duane's clothes,- the weave, the tailor
ing, the studied niceness of colors and
| tones.
do you want a job?" he asked,
hopeful of refusal.
"Yes, please"
"What can you DOR
"Lord knows"
"Know anything about carsT'
II can drive Them"
"How old are your"
"Twenty-seven."
"How long has your father been
dead?"
Twelve years."
Jerrold faced him shrewdly. "Are you
Rs badly off as my daughter seems to
believer
Duane hesitated "Well, perhaps
not quite. / didn't lose as much as the
papers said. Didn't have that much"
"Then your father died when you
were fifteen. My impression would be-
that man who could earn fortune.
would hardly entrust his sons entire
future to his own disposal-at fifteen"
I Duane flushed little. Il hope you
won't be such poor sport as to tell
your daughter that. AS a matter of
fact, 1 lost more than could afford
to, but my father tied up enough to
take care of me, however much Of q
fool might turn out"
(To BE coNTINuED.)