Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-07-28

/ Us Bal. AASsaiA- a 40 Al4|S SuNAI &SAA4
20 like our city"
i The new advertising manager sat
down on the edge Of Marcia's orderly
desk. There was something breezy and
boyish about him-Somet hing crisp and
fresh and fine. One wasn't conscious Of
the seasoning Of gray that was sprtn-
killed. through his thick dark hair, one
was conscious rather Of his engaging
smile and the clean blue Of his eyes.
I'm going to ike your city very much
Miss Blake" he said. I'm sure Of that.
I'm going TO enjoy my connection with
this outfik-if you're any sample Of
the personnel III be pretty much Of q
nuisance 70 you, fear, as the days
60 by, both IN learning the secrets Of
the organization and the town"
Marcia tried TO laugn naturally as she
met his gaze. She told herself
'sThis sort Of thing doesn't happen:
especially, It doesn't 10 me. I'm hard
boiled. / don't fan for men"
Aloud she said:
"On those times when you want help,
Mr.. Logan, or motherly advice, OK the
latest office dirt, you know where to
come. You probably couldn't be mud
sance il you tried. just ask me any
thing"
sIu begin, said Karl Logan. by ask
| ing you TO have dinner with me to-
night. I'm stranger in strange land
and breaking bread alone is q rather
grim business"
Marcia answered: I'm not breaking
very much bread nowadays modern
women go In for MeIba toast without
butter AS for being a stranger IN 8
strange land, won't it be a problem to
start cruising around right off looking
for restaurants I've q counter sug-
gestion-co up to my apartment and
have dinner with me. We can sit in
front Of the fireplace after dinner and
relax and get acquainted"
~Fireplaces have dreadful effect
ON me" said the new advertising man
I ager. Say, I think that's q swell idea.
Miss Blake, but won't it be a lot OF
bother for your"
Marcia said: "Im the best cook in
the world, bar none, and my place runs
like clockwork I'm one Of those busi-
ness women that believes efficiency
should begin at home. NO, 1t won't be
any botherl"
To her heart she murmred: stop
making that absurd noise. Stop it - or
hen hear"
The evening was eminently success
full Marcia, despite the late afternoon
rush Of work-why does rush Of work
invariably come In the late afternoon
managed to achieve 8 finger wave
and manicure. She didn't need either
OF them badly, but then Marcia never
waited until she needed them, for such
items as waves and nanicuresl She
had phoned her apartment earlier IN
the day to order dinner for two-and
Cora, her staid, perfect cafe au lait
maid, had found short stemmed Tails
man roses for the table. Marcia, COM
ing in through the door, paused ON the |
threshold to survey her domain. She
invariably paused in this way to drink |
IN the immaculate serenity Of the place. |
The books in their low shelves were
always freshly busted, the glass cur
tains we're always plump and correctly
placed. The apartment couldn't have
belonged to anyone but Marcia--it was
an accurate reflection Of her poise and
temperament. A catfish friend had said
once. while drinking tea in that apart
ment:
I'm forever hoping therein be a
crack In the ceiling or Clipped plate.
Just as I'm always hoping 10 catch
you, my dear, In down at the heels
shoes. But no such fuckI"
Marcia had met the remark with q
bland Mona Lisa smile. It wasn't neces-
saxy to explain at-coming as she had
from q shanty Irish background this
a ~
was q home. It wasn't necessary TO ex-
plain, In view of her mothers too well
remembered calico wrappers, that her
appearance was holy rite and creed
Il don't think that women should be
unkempt, ever" she said simply. IF my
work were sloppy I'd be on my ear In
the gutter instead Of styIist for q big
house. II I looked sloppy IN the office,
I'd only be making half the salary be-
lieve it or not-khat I'm making. An
swer me this: Why should my home be
different from me, and why should I
be different at home than am during
working hourg9"
The catfish friend had chuckled and I
said:
wait until you're married, old dear.
Marriage rumples good many things. ]
Marcia had answered coldly: I'll
never get married n
She hadn't met Kari Logan then.
It was at first sight, ia the office, I
hat Marcia had fallen In love. But
when she saw her guest for the second
tme against the background Of her
treasured apartment she knew that {
he was more than In 1--we, that she
vas away ahead Of that.
Il want to be with him all the time, |" 6
he told herself wildly, I'm an idiot"
Karl Logan had put on q dinner suit 6
md Ia the lapel Of his Jacket he wore I
0sne sort OF q darkish flower that was
Iurply blue and made vivid reflections
q his eyes. he didn't look exactly hand Il