The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-12-09

| when Constance next ventured a
glance she detected a faint grin on
the efficiency mans features. He
froze it Immediately when he dis
covered that she was observing him.
well. where next?" he repeated.
Constance decided upon another
strategic 10Y
Honestly, 1 don't know" she
said. What do you think ! want
7 mean need?"
He studied her until the scrutiny
became a trife embarrassing. There
was a penetrating and inclusive
quality in his survey that caused
her to flush family. She wished IL.
Hedge was not quite so thorough / N
his examination. yet she was con-
scious that his painstaking interest
was not displeasing.
Il think you need a set of furs,"
he said.
She beamed at him IN sudden be-
wilderment. How could he possibly
have guessed. How could he be SO
wonderfully human? And why-oh,
why couldn't he always be like that?
You are a mind-reader. Mr.
Hedge" she affirmed. You almost
brighten me-
mo, I am not a mind reader said
the efficiency man positively. But
you see. the other day l noticed that
your muf and boa might easily
even profitably, be replaced with q
set more in harmony with your fur
coat"
when in the world did you notice
that?" she asked in surprise.
ION the back stairs"
Constance turned pink. 1t was the
first time he had even alluded, in the
most indirect manner, to the morn
ing when he had robbed Tommy
Treadwell of a bride. She herself
had brought up the subject once, by
mistake, but H. Hedge had never
reopened it.
Il did not know you were so OBJ
serving" she said for the sake of
speech.
ut is my business to observe.
Where do you buy your furs?'
She gave a direction to the chauf-
feur and presently the efficiency man
found himself in one of those Fifth
shops that resemble nothing
much as a palatial private home.
Half an hour later, truly dazed,
emerged with a silver fox
skin around her neck and a great
that matched it. Furtively she
pinched herself to make sure it was
not a fantasy of the brain.
Its five O'clock" announced the
efficiency man. Shall we drive in
park or take tea?"
you decide she murmured.
wen drive"
1t would have seemed logical, after
lis amazing afternoons record, that
he efficiency man should be in gay
trifiing mood. He was not. He
ndulged in long silences, broken
,nly by monosyllables, yet marked
~ frequent and disconcerting in
'pections of Constance. Sometimes
he glowered at the bundles on the
seat. There was something
rim in his mood.
Once he turned to her abruptly
nd said almost sharply:
II wish you would wear blue more
~requently."
Constance widened her eyes, then
tammered:
"Wh-why?r
Suits you"
sfA-I - ILL., IL NJ
ledger"
He did not appear to hear, having
elapsed into another of his silences,
The number of parcels which were
emoved from the car as it stopped
t last in front of the Brooke man
ion caused Horace to display a sur
rise that is inexcusable in any ex-
erienced butler. H. Hedge did not
office this, however.
He walked directly to the library
nd began going through the after
DON mail. Constance hurried to her
ooms, where she soon had Matilda
out for inspection every
inner gown that she possessed.
She chose a blue one.
The efficiency man had little to say,
lring the evening meal. He did not
Ill to observe the gown, but he
ade no comment, as Constance
hoped he would. He was un-
p~reoccupied. 80 that he for
to tell Horace that he took
necessary steps in walking from
e ~sideboard to the table.
NEXT CHAPTER Consumes