The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-02-22
CHAPTER 1


Hanby looked at Smoker, and
sighed. The secretary-he had chosen
this designation h relf-was a small,
thin man with an active Adams ap
pie, who despised tact as something
beneath him. Handy had often set
out for his offices in Leonard street
with the intention of letting Smoker
go. and of replacing him with a neat
smiling, efficient girl; but Invariably
some sixth sense informed Smucker
of his danger. Invariably he would
speak of his vast responsibilities. OF
his large family, of his invalid father
of the house he was buying on the
installment plan. and of the ravages
of insects in his little garden.
A neat, smiling, and efficient girl
would have known that her employer
was busy. and would have found out
what the visitors errand was.
"Nhat does she want?' inquired
Hanby.
"She wouldn't say. Otherwise
should have Informed you, Mr.. Han
by"
What do you think she wanted?"
II suspect she is DESTROYS of SELL
ing you dog"
Handy frightened.
THAT'S easy. Explain in well chosen
language that In another incarnation
was priest of Bubastis. | cannot,
therefore, as one-time w0rshiper of
the Sacred Cat. buy dogs from strange
ladies'"
Adolf Smucker sighed. Ills employ.
er's frivOlity always saddened him.
lie would have preferred to serve a
sterner. more unbending pOrtlier. and
Older man. a man who never made
jokes or saw them. Slnucker often
wondered why 1t was Hilton Handy
had succeeded so well. A swift glance
showed Smucker that his employer
was looking at the photographs of the
splendid estate he was about to buy
Mr.. Smucker passed to the outer
office with slow step. The lady who
would moi go was the sort of person
whom he always surveyed With hos
tile eyes. She wore too much jeweiry
and was enwrapped iayishly in fur.
If" said he coIdly. you wish to
sell one or more of your dogs. Mr..
Handy says for me to say he's not
in the market"
The stranger pressed her three tiny
beasts so closely to her that they
yeIpetl.
Not all his money could buy even
one of them!" she snapped. Il must
see bin. Tell him shall stay here all
day until be comes through Athai
door,
sfSdu1tg IgIeD honE ron
pay station"
My darlings will not enter a teie-
phone booth, and ! dare not trust
them to anyone else. Tell him do
not want to buy or sell. have some
thing to say of vital Importance. and
he will be wise to see me at once.
Mr.. Smoker. who had all the mas
tier little curi0sities about life which
dwell so frequently with his sort.
wondered If here at last he was tC
learn some hidden details of his EN-.
plOyer's past Handy was handsome
and generous man. Women liked him
Perhaps this singular creature had
daughter who had trusted too we'll.
Something about his past?" AIR
Smoker suggested.
Something about my past" famed
the caller.
MIR. Smucker turned on his heel and
re-entered the private office.
1T isn't the dogs" said he. what
she wants is private conversation
about the past | may be wrong, Mr.
Hanby-I hope | am-but think she
knows something about your past
which may not be creditable to you"
THANK you. Smucker!" said Han
by. Il can always trust you to take
the kindly view. You are quite right.
My past was blacker than night If
] had my deserts, should long ago
have been electrocuted. Bring the
lady in. ! trust she is beautiful T.
Smucker went out, offended. AS
usual, Handy had laughed at him.
Well, the day was not SO far distant
when Adolf Smucker would have his
turn! He wasted a lot of Office time
dreaming of what be would do when
he was in power.
MADAM, | have persuaded the boss
to see you." he said loftily. Then he
jumped back. THAT black dog nearly
bit mei''
II can rely on his Instincts" she
said. you stand convicted as one
whom no woman should trust Do DOT
attempt to deny It. and don't move
your throat in that impudent man
merit"
She swept past him into his en-
plOyer's room.
If he had expected youth or beauty,
Handy was disappointed. 1t was q
tall. gaunt old woman who faced MIN,
He judged that some day. now long
distant she had been beautiful He
could see that she was richly dressed.
and that the Jewels she wore were