New Britain herald., 1929-02-04
& 5E;; r. ]; 4 AK !!4:: <. R}EG5;E|;!Q'i!X
THIS HAS HAPPENED

hides her beauty behind heavy spec
tacles and ill-fitting clothes. hop
ing thus to work unmolested for
Handsome Harry" Borden. She
would resign but for a romance
which springs up between her and
Jack Hayward, whose office is just
across the narrow airshaft from
Borden's.
They become engaged and Ruth
comes to the office this Saturday
morning with her disguise removed.
When Borden comes. Ruth is sum-
moned with the mail and gives him
an orchid tinted envelope which he
impatiently thrusts into his pocket.
She tells him of a call from the
woman with the contralto voice"
whom he has previously refused to
talk to.
Ruth gets $500 from the bank
and two tickets with drawing-room
for winter resort for Borden. She
suspects the second ticket is for
Rita Dubois, night club dancer, who
calls at the office just after her re-
turn from the bank. Mrs. Borden,
Borden's stranged wife and mother
of his two children, calls for her
monthly alimony. Hearing Rita's
laughter she swoons into Ruth's
chair, catching sight as she does so
of pistol in the lower desk draw
er. Mrs. Borden promises to return
about 1880. Borden waves a torn
bank note at Rita as she leaves, re-
minding her of her bargain. \
Ruth is called in for dictation.
When Borden playfully tries to re-
move her spectacles she screams,
attracting Jack in the opposite
office. He angrily tries to jump to
her assistance across the airshaft
but is restrained by some man.
Ruth wishes she had not screamed.
She wanted only joy to enter into
this particular day. At 1:c0 she goes
to meet Jack for lunch.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER v
Lord, darling. I thought you
were never coming. Just one more
minute and I'd have gone in after
YOU" Jack Hayward greeted the
'C"ut'iti Siil WIN ran Ctlt VI Iool-
denis Office to join him at the ele-
Nator. Did that beast"
Ssh" Ruth warned. Look!
Here comes Minnie and Lefty. lug
ring their brooms and scrubpails.
poor things! 1 wonder if they'll
recognize me? Hello, Minnie!
Lefty! Aren't you going to speak
to me?"
Tho two calico-clad. gray-haired,
stoop- shouldercd, old women who
had been sossiping together as they
rlodded down the hall. stopped and
stared then grinned humbly, apollo
gctically.
"They really don't know met:
Ruth laughed. hugging Jacks arm
dclightedly.
The older of the two women
nudged her companion with her
broom handle. ITS Miss Lester.
Lefty! Now, don't that beat Ill?
we've took your specs off. amt you.
dcarie? My, what a change! Lefty.
maybe if US girls 'ud take off our
specs we'd catch us a beau, too.
ch?" and Minnie cackled shrill
mirt1 at The idea.
Lefty Miller shook her gray head
slowly, a resigned smile ripping
ncross her pale, lined face. Reckon
our day is over Minnie. But it's
nice to sec a young couple sweet
l,artin'. one as handsome as the
Just for that. Lefty" Jack
laughed. drew q dollar bill out of
his pocket. and tucked it into the
torn, sasging pocket of the calico
dress.
The arrival of the elevator cut
short his cleaning wOman's eager
thanks. AS they stepped into The
car, Ruth squeezed her sweet
hearts arm and whispered with
mock severity: "Prodigal! Don't
you know you've got to save money
now? But it was dear of you."
AS the car shot down to the main
floor Mlcky Moran, the elevator op-
orator, commented with impudcnt
frankncss on Ruth's changed ap-
pcarancc. and it amused the girl to
sec how jealousy Jack resented the
boys familiarity. Imagine being
jealous of Micky! They were pass
ing through the lobby of the office
building when Ruth suddenly re-
membered that she had left her
savings bank book in the office.
Wait here for me, darling" she
told Jack. Il forgot something. Be
right back. No. don't come up with