The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-01-13
Hard to Tell
By MARY MARSH
g by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service


ing. Mr.. Stewart. the president Of
the concern. was going to Europe, and
Mr. Stone, of the Chicago Office, was
coming to take his place al the New
York office. The meeting had been
called TO make final arrangements
arrangements which it seemed to Rod
ney could have been made as well
without his presence.
But when the six other executives
were making their departure from Mr..
Stewards Office, Mr.. Stewart stopped
Rodney. placed fatherly hand on the
young mans shoulder and asked him
| to wait.
There is something / want you to
do-something simple. but very impor-
tant," began Mr.. Stewart. 81 have
the greatest respect for Mr.. Stone and
know that his coming here may be
fraught with many inconvenience and
anxieties. Now" Mr.. Stewart hest
| tated and then plunged ahead. "It's
about Miss Drew. 1t would be trifie
| difficult for me, you see. She's an ex-
! cellent young woman, and invaluable.
Miss Drew knows so much about the
business, we couldn't possibly have her
90. She is to be Mr.. Stones secretary.
I'm used to her, but Miss Drew Is, well,
| rather"
"Yes," agreed Blaine, calling to view
the swapping black eyes and vigorous,
waving black hair of Mr. Stewards
secretary. "She is, a trifle."
Quite so. | don't mind It now.
Though ] must confess she rather up
set me at first. And Of course, If she
becomes really annoyed at anyone ]
imagine that she would be a real
| tartar.
"Just suggest that as Mr.. Stone is
a stranger, she might treat him with
gentleness. We decided before you
got to the meeting that some one
would better suggest this to her. and
for reasons we decided that you would
best be able to do it,
This was the hardest assignment
| that Blaine had ever had In his asso-
| citation with Mr.. Stewart. Rodney had
never taken much notice of her before,
but now he deliberately studied her
face and her carriage when she was
not looking. He had made mp his mind
that the only way to go about it was
to become friendly with her, to get
| her confidence and then to make an
honest breast of the matter. He was
unsuccessful in the usual wedge of an
invitation TO luncheon, so he sought
to make the acquaintance Of those
who knew Miss Drew socially.
He would meet her after working
hours and thus show his finesse.
Meantime Mr.. Stewart had sailed and
Mr.. Stone had come to take his place
Mr.. Stone, who proved to be blond
young giant who accomplished twice
as much as Mr.. Stewart. Something,
| possibly the long hours and the siren
uous business methods Of Mr.. Stone,
very decidedly softened the edge of
Miss Drew's sharp temper. Her dark
eyes snapped less fire now and the
wavy black hair that seemed to typify
her high-spirited nature seemed to
wave more softly to her face.
Three months had passed and 1t was
the eve of Mr.. Stewards return. Rod
ney Blaine had done his best. He had
never fallen down on an assignment
before. and he had not had his little
talk with Miss Drew simply because
she had never given him an opportu-
nifty.
Rodney was the first of the firm to
see Mr.. Stewart after his return home,
and after a very brief discussion of
business interests. Mr.. Stewart brought
up the subject that was appar-
emily uppermost in his mind Were
you successful in giving Miss Drew
her little tip Off"
Not exactly" began Rodney.
Heavens, man." interrupted Mr..
Stewart, "you don't mean you let her
boss Stone around the way she has
been bossing me. Don't explain. /
was afraid you wouldn't tell her. OF
course, Stone wouldn't stand for her
tongue-and now she's left, I'm sorry
you let this happen. Miss Drew was.
without question. one of my greatest
business assets"
"But she hasn't left" Blaine ex-
planned. Then they were interrupted
by the overtowering Mr.. Stone, and
Rodney Blaine was glad to withdraw.
Mr.. Stone waived all discussion of
business.
There is something I want to ask
you," he said. 81 didn't want to write
it. But a good share of my happiness
depends on the answer you give. Is
Rodney Blaine serious in his regards
for Miss Drew? He seems to follow
her about. always seems 10 be trying
interested in the girl myself. Frankly.
I'd ask her to marry me"
Marry your gasped Stewart, sink
ing in his chair. Marry girl with
a temper like that?''
THE best tempered girl in the
world" interrupted Mr.. Stone "The
point is this: | am newcomer, !
have no right cutting Blaine out If he
really loves the girl But what I'm
asking you is whether Blaine is in love
with her Why does be dog her
around so?"
II GUESS | told him to-" said Stew
art weakly. But it's all right He
doesn't love her. I'm sorry to have
you take her away, but"
Mr.. Stewart never finished the SEN
tence, for Mr. Stone had hurried into
Miss Drew's Office TO deliver the words