New Britain herald., 1929-01-30
CHAPTER I

black pigeon its irdescent breast cleaning in the sun
shine Of the January morning crcled wary above !ne open
erked back and FORTH brilliant black diamond Of an eye cock
ed suspcous the little feet battered just out OF reacn OF
the white hand extended invitingy, palm upward
Ritz mel I'm don't look different this morning that
you don't know mel Is because have no crumbs TO
The black pigeon stood still his little red seangwax feet
and studied the girl his graceful head cooked
Them treasured the cleaning black wings s sp rs. 70 e
tightly gripping Ruth Testers forefinger.
As they had been waiting for signal from Their Leader
cons whose home the roof Of the
Building swoopng down upon the broad 6ss q a Me
den to pay court the suddenly revealed beauty Of
private secretary. -, ,,
far out Of the window In moment she was living pigeon
perch On her little white hands along her arms on nef
shoulders her golden head Brown peon'
bronze and gold and purple; pigeons whlte
pgeonsno only pigeon that was pure white and only one
An exclamation made the girl raise her eyes, but did not
stare her. for she had been expecting It, Directly
Building broad window exactly like the from which Ruth
leaned framed young mans head and The January
shver rays and Concentrate them for borrowed warmth upon
the coppery-br brown head of Jack Hayward.
Ruth leaned further out Of the window imp ne
her. the to whom she had just become engaged
the pigeons took wing and uered indignantly awsysa but
the black pigeon which chung stubboy to her fnger
beady black eye flashing from the girl to the man.
"oh, beautiful Jack called softly Little snow princes:
with the sun in her golden har You're too beautiful Go put
on your big yellow spectaces and slick back your hair I'm
jealous Satan, and he's jealous OF mel Look believe
he'd like to peck my eyes OUT!
Ruth laughed then very gently, as not to frlghten
Satan away she reached into the pocket Of her sweater In
moment she holding the struggling pigeon against her
korr, Oft
with typed message love one Of the tiny red
legs securing with bit Of the black silk thread which she
kept in the office for dang in the sober stockings she
had always worn to work until today-today!
IF you have any bread crumbs. Mr.. Hayward" she
laughed Be able to learn something ar to your
Then because she heard the door Of the outer ol wnere
she supposed to be opening the morning mail she Drew
into the sobey but richly furnished where Handsome
Harry Borden conducted business which had need of every
For Henry Borden was one Of those financial vuures that
pray upon the cupty Of and the creduy women VINO
Hasi bos to ths collie
stock salesman who worked for him that he was always with
il the but ku in growing d ssoa asd Sos TO
But now-now-there was no need to worry about Harry
Bordens cookedness about his offensive private life
nt She had been engaged be married to John Darlington
Hayward who listed on the bulletin board OF the star
ehtu boyshness Of that te Ruth thought endery Brok-
erwhen Jack hardly made enough selling life insurance to
pay the rent his suite Of two small offices 3ut she loved
the courage with which he stubbony kept the the boysh
coksureness which made him spurge
front"
"uo Ruth! Any mail for the future president Of the Unit
ed Sates cocky nasal young voice called from the outer
office.
Ruth smiled dmple which she did not have to
longer Juggling the of her adorable little mouth Then
she stepped through the door that divided Bodens private Of
flee from the big outer office which served reception
and office for Bordens secretary and messenger boy
Benny Smith, IT, and just beginning to be very grcon
scous was sprawled in Ruths little narrowbacked swive
chair paving the pile of mail her desk His sandy hair
still wet from its morning brush, his big very red from
the scrbbng to which they accustomed He had
told her recently burst of confidence that he using
eck his specked cheeks and neck The dear He
be asking girl to marry him just Jack Hayward
had asked her last night. :.
Nothing from your girl this morning. Benny, Ruth called
out in the meek repressed little voice which had been
part of the disguise she had temporarily discarded
Girl? Who said had gr?" Benny sputtered, whirlint