Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-03-18
CHAPTER LII

Day after day Betty went to work
with the Hotel Supply company,
with the ~proverbial chip on her
shoulder. She had taken Andy
Adair'S dare. Her work vas of the
highest type. The knowledge of the
restaurant business she had as a
result of her reading before she
went to work for George Harris,
and her contacts while employed by
him, were of great benefit in this
new position.
On several occasions, while TAX
ing dictation, or in handling some
detail of the business, Andy had
looked at her with admiration for
some seemingly inexplicable knowl-
edge she had. She was still very
much on her dignity with him, and
did not explain how she came by
her information.
Several times she caught him
smiling at her when she spoke form
ally. She began to doubt if she
could retain her pose. This made
her tend to exaggerate it. One day
he used her given name. He caught
himself instantly and said: I'm
sorry, Miss Brown. That was ar &C
cldent." His evident sincerity made
it impossible for her to do other
wise than accept his apology.
Il will excuse you, Mr.. Affair."
she said, coldly.
He reached up to feel the top OF
his head carefully with both hands
Then he reached back beneath his
coat and seemed to explore in the
neighborhood of his hip pockets
He then lifted each foot and looked
at it. He repeated the performance
anG she asked: Have you lost
something's"
Eyes and no." He grinned ag-
gr~avatingly. Il was just feeling
around for my horns and tail, and
looking for my cloven hoof.'
In spite of herself, she laughed.
mo real use in over playing you1
hand, is there?" he asked, kindly
"Oh, I guess I have been over
doing it a Bit"
Relax and you will float along
easier" he advised.
From that day her work was
easier. She knew that he had dared
her to stay because she was angry
and he thought that the best way
to keep her. Now that she had
stayed and found the work inter
esting and pleasant, it was high
time that she relaxed.
She learned to joke with Saun-
ders, Larkin, Miss Anderson and
others in the office. AS she was
naturally good natured, it was with
difficulty that she assumed her icy
air with Andy.
Now she abandoned it. While
there was no real intimacy between
them she was pleasant. There sprane
up an atmosphere of friendliness
between them which made her days
work ~pleaSanter. One day he came
into her office and found her al
tire window, humming a merry lit.
tie tune.
"I'm glad to hear that" he smiled
You are purring like a c~ontentec
kitten. You are getting to like il
here. aren't you?"
I'm delighted with it. I only
hope you are as well satisfied witt
my work as I am with your office
I'll prove it to you in your pay
envelope Saturday night. You are
due for a raise, and deserve it,"
Thank you, MI. Adair. You are
nice to me-"
who did you thank?" he asked
q~uiZzically.
"You," said Betty, shyly.
ooh. very well, very well! I sup.
pose Mr.. Adair is best in the Of
flee, but I wish you would forget
a whilel"
ooh, I'm very careful never tc
do that, Andy! What would folk.
think?"
alta gall" lie laughed. "They
might think something dreadful, 81
you must never do it, Betty"
II promise positively that I never
will, Andy she replied.
That's best. Betty" he agreed
solemnly.
They both laughed. Larkin, pass.
ing the door. stuck his head in ane
asked: Whats the joker"
I'VE were looking over the sale:
for last month and laughing at ths