New Britain herald., 1926-02-09

front of her apartment building and count on seeing you here again tomorrow night. Believe mo, l don't i. like 10 see you in this trouble"
 "Whcrr would l go? Where could 1 go?" she asked. "l'll be here to- morrow night I promise you,'
 q believe you,' he said, and helped her out of the cab.
 His first thought when he reached the office the following morning was to find Mary and fry to explain, When he did encounter her, how ever, along toward noon, the speech froZe on his lips. He was about to speak. but she gave him curt nod and turned on her heel. He thought Of writing her note and sending it through the office boy.
 "Sho't probably toar it up,' he ro. flccted. He brought his worries along with him when he went out to lunch. He toyed with his food and pushed 1t back uneate..
 Going up in the elevator he was conscious of man staring at him. He was man of perhaps 40 with black hair, gray around the temples and q sharp pointed nose. He was broad -shouldered and bulky of chest but uncommonly slender from his waist down. There was something familiar looking about him. Jimmy knew he had seen him before.
 bol Ia ylo uh as he contemplated Jimmy. He seemed amused. It irriiated Jimmy. He felt like asking 10 be let in on the joke. He resented being stared at like q monkey in zoo. He was even annoyed by the others fine grooming and obviously expensive attire.
 They went in the office together, and Jimmy realized where he had seen him. It was the man who had been with Mary last night when he was helping Olga Maynard into the taxi
 The man opened the door of the chief clerks office and walked in, leaving it open. Jimmy could see Mary smile at his greeting. They talked and Mary laughed heartily at something he was saying. Jimmy wondered whether they were laugh ing at the recollection Of the spec tacle he and Olga Maynard must have made in front of the hotel.
 "Who is that Mac?" he asked the young fellow at the next desk.
 "Who? Oh that's Church-Sam Church. He's one of the attorneys for the c. and R. Handles lot of death and accident claims. Comes in here quite lot and makes it a point 10 give Q little dictation once in a. while 10 the boss stenographer. I think he's pretty sweet on her my self"
 'I see--thanks.
 AS a matter of fact" Mac con- tinued, "I have sneaking suspicion that Miss Lowell doesn't exactly hate Sam Church. Good looking dog. Built like 8 bull in the upper story-chest and shoulders-and like a greyhound below. Got lot of money, too, hear. That's all you need to get along in this world, Rand-money. It'll buy anything"
 You think, Mac" Jimmy asked, that money can buy love-"
 Mac was slow in answering. Rand" he said "it'll buy anything, There's nothing in this sentimental love in a cottage stuff. I know. was engaged once Then war came along and I went away, with her crying and everybody promising wonderful things for the boys when we came back"
 He cursed. And then what hap pened? My girl marries one.of these fat profiteers that stayed safe at home and made a pile of money while they were digging machine gun bullets out of me in France.
 Rats" he said. "Give me mil lion and I'll have everything I want and do anything I want. And if overstep the law l can buy my self off. John Law doesn't bother the guy with dough. But he makes us poor fish step"
 Mac" said Jimmy, "1 think you're wrong. hope you're wrong." . He bent over his desk as Church came out of Mary's office, talking , in low tones 10 the chief clerk Hil- ton, The same amused smile was playing over his features as he passed Jimmy and walked out of the main office door.
 . Mary" he stood in front of the : water cooler, making a pretense of } drinking, and blocking her path Mary, I know it looked rotten. Just give me chance to explain"
 "Mr. Rand-please" She was looking through him rather than at l, him, her dark blue eyes cold as ice. "Let me explain, Mary-after five . o'clock. Give me a chance" he pleaded.
 Ut is not necessary, MT. Rand. I ! am able to understand what I see without the aid of an interpreter" ' She stepped past him and was gone. He breathed again that subtle fragrance of her hair, as he had uoHe tne lllsllt Ae udHCeu "llH neT . He stood staring after her re- treating figure with hunger in his , Shortly before five o'clock Hilton called him into his private office ? and told him he was discharged. We're giving you weeks salary instead of the customary two weeks . that we allow our discharged em- ployes. Considering the short length of your stay here, I think that is 7 fairly generous"
 . Jimmy took 1t calmly. without so ) much as raising an eyebrow. Any . thing wrong with my work?" he asked. "I at least did my best while