New Britain herald., 1925-11-14

1 l III SOlUB lO De lllduS ldlHOuS IT most wonderful book. I'm going to show the gradual Influence of re. form Delightful! And you are inc reformer-the dominant mind. Even l am not hopeless--it says SC In your book. Already l show the effects of rigid discipline.' On. it. exquisite! Have really reformed, MT. Hedge?'
 Until just now you have showr gratifying progress" he answered.
 Constance's laughter overcame heI again.
 And you belleve--that?"
 "I-er-had no reason 10 doub' it."
 You poor, poor creature."
 The efficiency man was mystified and beginning to appear uncomtort- able. Was 1t possible he had made miscalculation? The only thing that was very clear in his mind wal an impression of spirited and at tractive angry young woman.
 Let me tell you something, MT Hedge, and then you will see what fool you. have been. You didn'' know I was fighting you all the time, did you? You thought because was willing 10 come in here and work that I had surrendered. Oh it's rich Just because I'd given UT making an open fight, you thought it was all over. Oh, you were SC much easier than I thought"
 She regarded him with a pityinf smile.
 "Why, was just playing with you--tor what I could get out ol you!" she exclaimed. And l got 1t too. All sorts of things--hats. and shoes, and gowns, and everything that you'd been saying l couldn'' have. And I've made you break your rules a dozen times, until Il has become positively monotonous.'
 A dull red crept into the cheeks of H. Hedge, but Constance was re- morse,ess. The two chapters on the perfect type had proved to be the final turning point. She was burning her bridges now.
 "Just playing with you" she re peated. And your whole wonderful system went to smash under 1t. Ant you thought you were reforming me It was so easy to lead you. too. YOU never even suspected. You were SC sure that you wrote it all down. SC it could be put in book. A book think I'll write one myself. HoV would you like to be the hero Of my book, MT. Efficiency Man?"
 Hedge made no answer.
 Well, why don't you say some thing" she demanded.
 I'm waiting for you to gel through, Miss Brooke"
 She made a sudden dash to the table and seized the nlanuscrlp notes in her hands, waving them aloft with a hysterical gesture,
 "see!" she cried. Heres for your book!"
 She tore the pages across and tossed them into the open fire. AT instant later the diary followed them. The efficiency man did moi make an effort to stay her hands,
 For a full half-minute she faced him, her bosom heaving, her eyet alight with excitement.
 There: That's the end Of that. she exclaimed. "You'll never put | ,,a In a hook II"
 Her voice broke abruptly, ano she was shaken by a tempest ol weeping. , 1 H. Hedge surveyed her quietly and with no trace of emotion.
 Take a seat" he said sharply "As soon as you get through with that sob stuff, I'm going to do the talking. And it's going to be some talk
 Constance seated herself. not be" cause of any command from the etl- ciency man, but in response to a sudden collapse of belligerency. She was terrified at what she had done She had tossed another person treasures into the fire without SC much as asking leave or serving mo- tice; and the reaction was abrupt The calmness of H. Hedge frighten' cd her.
 Leaning Imply forward in the desk chair, she buried her face 1T her and continued to sob,
 The efficiency man watched hel for a moment, alternately drowning and smiling. He had promised her talk, but he was uncertain about thu beginning of it, even though he hac a. clear notion Of the ending. Miss Brooke!" he snapped.
 She did not look up.
 Are you listening, Miss Brooke y
 There was faint nod, although she did not raise her head from th' desk.
 You'd better listen,' he saiC grimly. Because everything is go' ing to eternal smash in the neX ten minutes. This is Judgment Day and VIC are going to get what il coming 10 both of us-pronto'
 still she did not stir But she Wal listening in spite of her soos.
 "Pronto means all.ota-sudden, he added.
 There was a brief pause in which he devoted more study tu the coil O. brown hair.
 "An bets are off, Miss Brooke. DO you hear that? Bets off-Mis' Brooke"
 She heard. but made no acknowl edgcment of the mystifying inteili gence. =,
 You have known me as H Hedge, E. E.." he continued. "Bu hereafter there is no such person He has disappeared. So has Henr! Hodet, who was his immediate pre- decessor. Henry Hedge is aholished Tou are now looking upon H. Well ington Hedge, without any E, E. o other honorary degree tied 10 th'