New Britain herald., 1929-02-02

behind their Spectacles, did not falter. however. Hadn't better leave the door on the latch? You might not hear her knock"
 Let her pound on it. then!" Bor- den retorted gr,mly. You know I never stay in these offices alone without the door's being locked. What with hold-up men and belly aching investors dropping in with their pretty little threats because they can't take their losses like men. my life wouldn't be worth a nickel, if ! hung around here alone with the outside door unlocked. Don't you worry your pretty head over Mrs. Borden. child. She looks soft. but believe me"
 Benny Smiths noisy arrival cut short whatever confidence Harry Borden may have been about to make. The employer spoke curtly to the office boy: "Well. Benny. about time you were drifting back! Been shooting craps n the alley again?" No, sir.' the boy mumbled. 1 flushing darkly. "There was long line at the stamp window" ''rhere's always long line at the sta,pp window when you go to the post oflicc," Borden agreed sar- castically. "i.istcn - and get this U through your thick head: want ] tn t nf 1 ipk up a couple of bags that my man has packed for me. Take them to the station. check them and bring nc the checks. And make 1t snappy --hcar?"
 Borden passed into his private office. but almost immediately re- appeared. Firing in the letters you have finished. Ruth. I'll sign them now. and Benny. you'd better hol.l down this office until Miss Lester comes back. don't want it to be left unattended. No telling who'll stroll in. I'm expecting Adams this morning. and if he comes in, tel | him 10 wait"
 At Borden's first use of her Chris tian name Ruth flushed with resent ment. bur she cbedicntly gathered , up the finished correspondence and followed Borden into the private office. but not before she had caught the look of sullen hatred with which Benny vas gIaring al lis employers back. So Benny had ! ,oft hot lt,t N S Ruth" too. and was resenting il passionately.
 Guess I'm sort of nervous to, day" Borden confessed. with a wrl grin. "A week end at Winter Haver will do mo good Who was that chap that came in this morn ing. all het up over losing money or some Of my stock ?" he asked sud. denly.
 He wouldn't give me his name, Ruth answered. "He insisted or seeing you personally said h, would be back. I dealt with him a: tactfully as I could--"
 '"Tact and efficiency are youl long suits. aren't they. child?" Hor' den smiled. "Draw your chai, around to this side of the desk We'd better go over the figures il I'm going 10 let him hold me ul for bigger commission. Look. confoundedly like hlackmaii .t me-"
 There was nothing for Ruth tt do but to obey. She dragged he chair from its usual place at tn, big flat-topped desk opposite Bor den. and placed it where Border indicated. with a pointing finger - so close to his own chair that thu legs almost touched.
 Look" he pointed to the lette
 under his large. well-manicuret hands. Wouldn't you think tha
 was hig enough commission fo any fly-by night like Nathan ,t make""
 Ruth leaned forward and pccrc' through her spectacIcs. Eordr' laughed suddenly. "Eet you coul, see better without those goggles , Ruth! Come! I'm going to talk 5 'cm off for you. I,l bet q hundre' , dollars your eyes are just the righ 1 shade of blue to go with these vel , low curls of yours" and his hand reached cut. were about to lay hol
 upon the last item of the girls dis guise which men Of Harry Borden r type had made necessary. if sh :. was to be allowed to work in peace k Ruth's head jerked back. he F small hands going up to hold hi g back. "Please. MT. Borden. Tn !. light really hurts my eyes," she lie n frantically.
 Then somehow she was out Of he k chair, and Bordens left arm Wa