The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-26

and was never SallSHeu WlIH Hdi way measures. He was. she real ized, watching her strangely:
 "Just what" she asked, 'do you wish me to do?"
 II want you to take all the data that's in there," MT Happ said, and open a set of books"
 When shall I start?"
 "As soon as you conveniently can," he said. You can open a set of books all right?'
 "Oh yes," she said. I'm experi- enced as a bookkeeper. l worked in the office of certified account ant for more than two years"
 Gentry removed the cigar from his lips, stared thoughtfully at the smoke which curled upward from the end.
 Jarvis" he said slowly, let's not rush into this thing too hastily. Frankly, I'm not in favor of open ing up set of books on this thing. | You've got commitments and so have I. I'd prefer to keep this as q little informal partnership. Jarvis Happ shook his head and said, "The deals too big, Dick. We're going to get in trouble with the income tax people and you know it."
 Gentry sighed. "If it wasn't for the damned income tax" he said, "Wed be sitting pretty on this thing"
 Happs gesture with his cigar was one of impatient dismissal. But" he said, there is an in- | come tax, so why sit here and waste time talking about what we would do if there wasn't an In. come tax?"
 Gentry nodded slowly. "When can you start on the bOoks?" asked Jarvis Happ. Right now" Millicent said, and pushing back her chair, moved over toward the suitcase. Gentry made quick motion as though to stop her, then sat back and laughed.
 well" he said, that's com mendable zeal"
 "No," Happ said, mot tonight, Miss Grabes. You've had strcnu- ous day"
 Millicent shook her head, picked up the suitcase and said, Tt would be a relief to have something on which I could concentrate. Would you mind very much if l started looking things over tonight" Not at all," Happ said. Suit yourself. If you're going to start working you might prefer to take them into your own room" T think" she said, that would"
 "Go ahead" he told her. She started for the door, but Dick Gentry gained her side in two swift strides.
 Permit me-" he said, ito carry the suitcase for you. It's heavy" The suitcase was indeed heavy, and she surrendered it to him with a smile, leading the way down the corridor to her room. She opened the door. Gentry stepped in swiftly after her, dropped the suit case on the floor, and kicked the door shut.
 Listen" he said, "how did Jar wis happen to pick you up"'
 She faced him defiantly.
 MT Happ," she said, employed me after having made an investi- gation of my references, if that's what you mean. l assure you there was nothing of the pickup about it."
 1T didn't mean that" he said. "1 wanted to know how he happened to get in touch with you"
 Don't you think" she asked, that it would be better to ask MT Happ about that?"
 No, I'm asking you"
 Every we'll" MT Gentry. Under those circumstances I will speak to MT Happ and ask him to answer your question"
 She moved as though to open the door and Gentry grabbed her shoulder, pushed her back from the door, then suddenly shot an arm about her waist, held her close to him.
 She pushed at his chest with her hands.
 Nov wait a minute, sister," he said. don't get excited. I'm not trying to pull anything funny" She realized that she was help less, and simply quit struggling. staring up at him with her face a cold mask. When you have quite finished" she said, with your caveman tac- tics, perhaps you'll :" Forget it," he told her roughly. That's not what I'm after. Use your head. you nttle IOOl. She saw that his eyes drifted uneaslly toward the door. Listen" he said, there's no req son why you cant be sitting pret- | ty in this thing. Do you under l stand?"
 What do you mean?" You're not a fool.'' he said, "and if you're girl who's had a bit of experience working for a living you understand that it's a life that doesn't get you any place. You can make q living. l grant you that. but that's all. You'll put in all of your youth slaving over typewriter somewhere, and as scon as your youth has gone you'll ind that you're crowded into the back ground hv cron of younger girls