The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-02

| Deem CUElOuSly IduI al u1OIAllIS-
| and screamed.
What are you trying to do, you
little devil2-arouSe the building?
make them think I'm numbering
you?" Borden demanded furiously.
Look That chaps getting an eye
ful across the airshaft and-get out
Of here and stay out, or I'll knock
those pop eyes Of yours out Of your
headI"
Ruth, who had obeyed his COM
mand to look, and who was taking
staggering, uncertain step toward
Jack Hayward, framed in the oppo-
site window and being forcibly re-
strained by another man from leap
ing through 1t, thought at first that
Borden's last furious sentence was
directed at her. But Benny's voice
from the doorway told her the
truth.
IF you're hurting Miss Lester,
Ill-Ill-" Benny was sputtering,
his fists clenched.
Get out, and mind your own
business! You, tool" Borden added
viciously, nodding furiously and
gesticulating toward Jack Hayward,
who was calling out something in a
rage-strangled voice.
"Sit down again, Miss Lester" he
added, more normally. And keep
your confounded glasses on, if you're
SO crazy about them. Where's that
letter to my laWyer?"
Before she obeyed, Ruth turned
toward the window again, shaking
her head slightly and laying her
fingers against her lips. Then, trer1-
bling, she sat down and was not
again Inolested while Borden signed
the letters.
"rT~ELL that fool Office boy to 20
Il on to my apartment for my
bags Borden reminded her grufhy.
Then, I'm sorry, Miss Lester, but I
can't see why you kicked up such q
fuss. Didn't mean any harm"
"It's-all right, Mr.. Borden" Ruth
said meekly. "And-I'm sorry I
screamed. Tm-easily frightened"
And indeed she was sorry she had
screamed, for now the blight on her
perfect happiness had been COM
municated to Jack Hayward. But
her remorse then over having
kicked up a fuss" was nothing to
compare with the agony of self
reproach which was to come to her
later.
She found Benny Smith at her
desk, bending over the pulled-out
bottom drawer. What are you do
ing, Benny?" she demanded sharply
you must keep out of my deskl"
Looking for a towel the boy
muttered. Then, tensely: Listen,
Ruth, If that guy gets fresh with
you again"
Hush, Ben11y!" Ruth cut short
his threat. Run along to his apart
ment now for his bags. I can take
care Of myself, Benny It's sweet Of
you to mind but don't want you
to lose your job on my account" she
added gently.
The boy closed the bottom drawer
! of her desk and Snatching up his
overcoat and cap, strobe out Of the
Office, fancying himself, Ruth re-
! f1ected tenderly, every inch a man,
and-what's more man in Lowell
"Oh, wish hadn't screamed she
told herself disgustedly.
The door had scarcely closed upon
Benny whe, it opened to admit Carl
Adams, one of Borden's dapper, col
legiate young stock statesmen. Few
of the men worked on Saturdays,
since it was half holiday.
"Hullo, Miss Lester. Saw Benny
at the elevator What's this about
you and Borden? Benny seemed to
think you might need protection.
And don't wonder.
why, the scared little bunny has
turned into beauty! Greet
ings, chief" the salesman broke off
his confidential compliments and
hailed his employer jovially.
/ Come on in, Adams" Borden an
swered grinlly. Bring me Adams
sales record, Miss Lester, please"
Except for an ulimportarlt tele-
phone call or two, Ruth was allowed
to finish her letters in peace.
It was ten minutes after one when
the flushed, angry-eyed young man
jerked out of the Office, and twenty
minutes past when Ruth, the last
letters signed and stamped, hurried
to the elevator 20 keep her overdue
appointment with Jack Hayward.
She had telephoned him. In a
guardedly low voice, that she would
be a little late, and she knew that
he would be waiting. !. If only