The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-09-04
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER VIII

telephoned the hoSpltal soon aIIer
she mad come TO work.
"How is Mr.. Francis jarvis
please?" :.
There was a moments wait
while the operator consulted her
card file. Then: "Mr. Jarvis was
discharged early this morning
His injuries were very slight.
But Judith's conscience would
not let it go at that. She realized
she had been the indirect cause
of the mans accident, and she
wanted him to know she was ready
to accept a certain responsibility.
In the telephone directory she
found Jarvis office number be-
meath that of his home number.
Deciding that it would be better
to see him personally than to try
to explain matters over the tele-
phone, she obtained permission to
take an hour off.
When she had reached the Of
fices of Francis Jarvis she was
due for a surprise. They were
luxurious business quarters, In
deed, and she quickly discovered
that in them the name OF Francis
Jarvis was important. OF course
she had noticed that his automo-
bile had been no small model =.
but nowadays even the moderate
ly fixed may drive more than
eight cylinders.
The girl in the walnut-paneled
reception room regarded Judith
with polite suspicion. what did
YOU wish to see Mr.. Jarvis about!
Perhaps Mr.. PomerOy, his assist.
ant, could be of service to you"
"Pm afraid not. You see, Mr..
Jarvis was injured slightly in an
automobile accident last night
and l was responsible" :,
81 see. Just a moment, please.
Expertly the girl plugged in. And
apparently Jarvis was guarded by
still another young woman.
"Please tell Mr.. Jarvis that a Miss
Howard is here to see him. It's
with regard to-a-an automoolle
accident last night" There was
a moments silence, after which
the switchboard operator told
Judith, "Please go right in" She
nodded toward a beautifully fig
ured walnut door. :,
Hesitatingly, Judith opened 1t,
stepped onto a deep, soft carpet.
At the other end of the good
sized room was broad, flat desk
which held nothing more than a
green blotter pad and an ornate
pen set. Behind it sat a man OF
middle-age, slender, bit florld.
His dark eyes were younger than
his face, but when he smlled-as
he did now-his face complement
ed the eyes, and he seemed to drop
five Or six years. ,,, Il
Miss Howard?" he said. wont
you please sit down"
Judith thanked him, choosing
the nearest leather-cushioned
chair. Suddenly it occurred to her
how absurd it was for her to be !
offering this man responsibility !
for the accident. Obviously ne
could afford almost any given
number of such mishaps. /
"You wanted to see me about
last nights little accident?" With
p smile Jarvis touched the SIDE OF
his head where a broad patch OF
white tape covered his dark hair:
You're not by any chance that
very preoccupied young woman
who caused me to swerve into an
unyielding fire hydrant?' =,
"Tm afraid l was" Judith said:
81 came to tell you how sorry
am-and to assure you that l feel
quite responsible for any dam
age"
His eyes widened, and for mo-
ment he looked as if he believed
Judith might be attempting to
somehow trick him. But when
Judith's guileless expression as
sured him that she was sincere, ne
broke into a pleasant laugh. "Well,
this is refreshingw He got up,
went to a sideboard. Would you
care for something's" Judith shook
her head. "Mind if l do?" |
Not at all. /" she started to,
rise from the chair. "Pll leave
you my name and address, and
then if anything comes up you can
get in touch with me-"
He looked at her curiously.
"Just what do you mean?" |
"Why, there's the damage to
the car, but / imagine that's COW
cred by insurance. was thinking
mostly of your injury. Sometimes
those things appear to be all right,
and then later on they develop in
to something serious"
Jarvis laughed, and tossed down
the contents of a small glass, fol-
lowed it with neither water nor
soda. 81 hardly think this one
will" He returned to his desk.
"But, as you suggest, I'll take
your name and address, just In
case anything should Develop
Judith resented his apparent
mild amusement. Getting to her
feet, she said, s"Of course / didn't
know what Your, circumstances
might be, and" :. -, =,
"Oh, please don't think / don't
appreciate your thoughtfulness."
He laughed pleasantly. "The bond
business hasn't been quite as good
as it might be, you know. l may
hold you responsible, at that"
That would be fair enough"
Judith said, and gave him her ad-