The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-27
@lssl Bs MEA sEpvIcE iNs

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 For more than an hour Norma's pencil raced to keep up with the rapid-fire dictation. When she re- turned to her desk she had notes that would keep her busy most of the afternoon.
 It was after II when her em- to make the 11:25," he announced. Be back in the morning. If any, thing important comes up can be reached at Mrs Helen Frazier's home. You have the address some- where. Goodby."
 He was out of the office, flinging the last words over his shoulder. Norma sighed and put a fresh sheet of paper in her typewriter. If she finished the letters she might be able to get away a little before five o'clock and avoid the nightly rush.
 Her fingers flew at the typewri- ter. Some days it was so easy to be accurate and some days wrong letters jumped continually from the keyboard. Apparently to-day was to be one of the good ones. The door leading into the corri- dor was always open. Norma was not aware anyone had entered un- ftil she heard a voice asking, "Is MT Stuart in?"
 She looked up. A stranger stood in the doorway. A slender, middle aged man wearing a gray topcoat. He wore trimmed spectacles and he spoke with an eastern accent. gone out" Norma told him. "Is there any message you'd like to leave"
 what time do you expect him back?"
 "I don't think he'll be in until tomorrow morning."
 The stranger drowned. Isn't there some way that I can reach him ?" he asked. "I came to Marl- boro especially to see him and I've only few hours. I'm Abernathy of McCleod's Weekly"
 "Oh, Mir Abernathy! know MT Stuart's been expecting you. He thought you'd be here to-mor- row!'
 "Yes. That's what wrote but I managed to save a day from my schedule"
 Norma was not listening now. Her eyes were on the clock. AL most 1920 now! Stuart had said he intended to catch the 11:25. There was a chance-the barest possibility-that she could stop him.
 "I'n try to get him for you!" she said. "I'll try it!"
 She had the telephone and was giving the number of Union Sta ton. The wait seemed endless. Then she got the call through to the captain of the red caps. "I want you to page Frederick Stu art!" she said excitedly. Hes talk him something's happened at his office and he must come back! It's very important!"
 She hung up, realizing that she herself might be delaying the mes- sage. Abernathy was still stand ing, watching her. Suddenly Nor ma remembered how important this caller was.
 Wont you sit down." she said, rising. "Mr Stuart was going out of town but if they can reach him know he'll be back. He was going today especially so he could be here to see you tomorrow. I know he'd feel terribly to miss you! If he gets the message he'll come right back"
 The hands of the clock had shift ed. It was exactly 11:25. Norma was telling herself that of course they hadn't ben able to find Stuart when the telephone rang sharply.
 At the first words she smiled. "Yes, MT Stuart," she said. "Mr Abernathy is here in the office. was sure you'd want to talk to turned toward MT Abernathy.
 "It's MT Stuart. He'd like to speak to you" she said, handing over the instrument.
 Within IS minutes Stuart had arrived. He and the representa- tive of McCleod's Weekly disap- peared into the private office. Their session lasted until after Norma's lunch hour. Then the two men went out together and came back late in the afternoon. They were still talking when Norma left at five.
 It was not until next morning that she learned what her quick witted telephoning had meant. Stuart entered the office, jubilant.
 Good morning!" he greeted Norma. "Fine day, isn't 1t? You got away last night before had a chance to tell you how grateful I am that you didn't let me get out of town yesterday"
 "I'm so glad they could reach you at the station"
 "Well, 1t was a lucky day all around. Abernathy took the Clark serial along with him. For $6000! Ten per cent commission gives us $500 for the days work. Not bad? And besides that I've practically made him agree to another serial in the fall"
 "You helped on the job. There'l be a $10 bonus in your envelope on Saturday. And don't forget that
 Thank you, MT Stuart. Thank you ever so much"
 The words of praise. the pros- pect of $10 more in her pocket book than she had expected sent Norma at her days work light hearted. During the lunch hour she tried to decide whether to apply the bonus on Marks new carriage or to pay it to Chris. It should go to Chris. she concluded finally.
 She had not been back in the office an hour when she answered the telephone to hear a hysterical feminine voice which she recog- nized as Mrs Carey:s.
 What's happened?" Norma cried. "Oh, what is it?"
 Mrs Carey tried to explain. No. she said Mark was not sick. Some