Evening star., 1932-11-27

He has been am~z.ngly foreSlghted ABOUT
meeting my arguments in advance" MIR. Mac
Donald said dryly
Suddenly the contest was personal one. 1t
was between Mary and the ruthless man sit
ting across from her and blocking Brad's path
to progress. But you must be interested in
the idea of advertising or you wouldn't be hav-
ing a conference hot Saturday in June.
And it was Mr.. Randolph who aroused your
interest"
You are very loyal Miss Smith, Donald
Macdonald said Guilty We'll start along now
I'm keen to be getting home"
His eagernesS easily understood when
he turned the blue coupe into winding lane
where lilac bushes were still fragranty and
triumphanty in bloom among the roses. The
road went rustic bridge and swung in
half circle at the foot of a green knoll where
a rambling white farm house was browsing
among patriarch elms and gossiping white
birches. He stopped the blue coupe at gate
cut into box hedge.
Would it be disloyal to Mr.. Randolph and
your standards of secretarial conduct to admire
my garden?" His voice mocked her as he held
out his hand. None of it seemed real but it
was happening. The air so sweet it made
her heart ache just to breathe it.
MI. Don," voice called. "Oh, Mr.. Don,
you're wanted on the telephone" A white
haired, rosy-cheeked old woman came out
through the honeysuckle door and over to the
edge of the terrace.
You're nuisance Mrs. Seabrooke," Mr..
Don said without letting go of Mary's hand.
Get the message for me, that's dear. I've
something important on just now. I'm taking
Miss Smith down to meet the Sweet Williams
and the shrub bush. I'll bring her up to meet
you later. And I hope there will be scenes for
tea. Miss Smith will adore your scones."
I'D be sure to enjoy anything Mrs Sea-
brooke made" Mary said
Mrs Seabroke beamed on her. And weu
enjoy you, Miss Smith. But you'll have to an
swer the telephone now, Mr. Don. Mrs. Harmer
won't like waiting"
oh" he said, and let go Mary's hand He
hurried back to the house if that were the
only thing that mattered
hARY went down the hill. She wondered
lVI if the call had anything to do with
Brad. After a while she began to realize
that it very warm afternoon. The fra
grant air was overpowering, almost depressing
1t appeared that Mrs. Harmers message had
been important; it had made Mr.. Macdonald
forget everything else. Mary climbed the hill
again and found it exceedingly steep.
There was nobody the fagstone terrace,
so she sat down in a big Canton chair to wait
for the conference to assemble After a while
she slept peacefully
When Mary awoke tall, thin old gentle
man with thatched eyebrows high -bridged
nose and a whimsical mouth sitting oppo-
site her He didn't look like granite at ALL
but ike young Donald melloWed by the
years.
Get a good rest?" he inquired
I'm frightfully ashamed of myself
Needn't be. You look very lovely in that
big chair. Nobody should begrudge old
a pleasant vision"
Nobody could begrudge you anything" She
was still half-asleep or she would never have
said anything like that.
Then you won't mind having tea with me-"
So she had to explain. I'm Miss Smith of
Rufus & Harmer. Mary Smith"
And I am Cyrus Macdonald of Kenilworth
Farm Now that We are formally introduced
I dare say you don't mind pouring the tea.
-Four sugars when Seabrooke isn't looking.
And if you are an able conspirator you'll con-
trive cup of black coffee for me after dinner"
I'D love contriving things for you, Mr..
Macdonald But 1 shall not be here for din
ner"
"Of course you'll be here for dinner"
But waS-fetched down to act secre-
tary to conference-not to be house guest"
All the dimples came trooping out to disclaim
the auSterity of her tone
We'll have to wait for the conference. Cir
cumstances have compelled our poStponing it.
John Rufus will come over to dinner and Wen
play contract if don't have a debate on
the importance of advertising. / hope you
play contract"
Yes play" Brad had taught her.
You'd better telephone your mother at once.
You might say that arbitrary old tyrant
requires your services indefinitely and that you
probably won't be home until Monday
After tea with four humps of sugar and two
Scotties and Airedale begging for scones.
Mrs. Seabrooke whisked her off to the blue
and yellow room She tried to recover her
secretarial frame Of mind there and then got
down to dinner to find she had no use for it.
Mrs. Rufus called her Mary dear child
and there didn't seem to be anyone present
who was conscious that she was really "our
Miss Smith" Dinner delicious and Mrs
Seabrooke herself permitted Mr.. Macdonald
his demi-tasse. Afterwards they played con.
tract.
by the way Cyrus Macdonald said 81