The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-24
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will. Because that's the only way IT be able to learn."
 She stopped . moment, looking over the little audience. T thint that's all wanted to say-except that I hope I'll have your help"
 As Helena turned to LasSiter and Barnes and the attorney she could feel the heavy silence down there in the auditorium. I've muffed It." she thought. "They don't trust me. They"
 Then suddenly 1t came. 6 wave of spontaneous and prolonged ap" plause. John Lassiter leaped from his chair and clasped Helenas hand. "You were rnarvelousI" he exclaimed. Listen to that ap- proving buzz down there"
 Barnes was not enthusiastic, however. T thought" he said, clearing his throat, "that you in- tended to outline some policy to them. I'm afraid t isn't c good idea to keep them after closing time just for c general handShake Mrs. Henderson"
 T don't agree with you" Helena told him, holding her temper with an effort. T happen to know that there's one thing loyal employe appreciate .and that 6 an occasional word from the owner of the firm"
 Courtney nodded. T don't know whether your psychology was eel. culated or not" he said, but tt was perfect. I feared you might try to impress them"
 Empress tnem?" Helena re- peated. Then she laughed. With what?"
 AZ she and Lassiter walked ahead he said quietly, in answer tc her question, with your charm, of course" Then he reddened. Forgive me. I---I shouldn't have said that. It was stupid of me. but then, I'm Q stupid person."
 T refuee to believe that" Helena told him lightly. And l don't take such things seriously anyhow" Then she thought. oddly, T do, though. I believed them from Peter, and that's why I'm here"
 Tn the elevator she turned to Barnes. Could see Q list of the customers whose accounts have been running % days or r1ore?"
 "Why, yes of course"
 In his ofAce he instructed his secretary to bring the list to Helena. Swiftly she surveyed t, saw the name of Leah Frazier, and of Mrs. Frank J. Frazier. Their accounts showed no amount paid for more than 10 months, and Leah's alone was over the thousand mark. Helena turned to Lassiter, handing him the list. These names mean nothing to me. What would you say about them?"
 Lasslter studied the list. well | :" he said slowly, its dimcult to generalize. Some of these are farmers with assets, and they'll pay when crops are harvested. Some of the others have had profitable investments in the past, but :" he glanced at Barnes, T should say that they are taking advantage of their regulations as first families in the town"
 T see," said Helena slowly. Then: 'Mr. Barnes, ! wish you'd have letters sent to all these peo- pie, advising them that unless some arrangement is made with the credit department we'll be forced to suspend their credit"
 "You darea't do thatl" exploded Barnes. "'Shy why, some or these people,
 "We'll have to do 1t, I'm afraid" she told him.
 But downstairs Helena felt her staunchness dissolving. Between Lassiter and Courtney, in the late ter's coupe, she suddenly burst 1 into tears. q - I'm as limp as a rag" she confessed. T was 1 b-blufing. and I just got out of there in time"
 Lassiter patted her wrist. There. there. You did 6 alarmed good job or | 1t. and it was a sensible bluff. As . mater of fact, 1t was something that the bank would have had to take up with Barnes--and mighty soon." Fie looked across at Courtney. T think we've got . mighty flne pres- ident for Henderson's and mighty fine citizen for the town. don't you7"
 NO question about iti" Courtney boomed.
 But I'll tell you 6 secret" Helena managed slowly. "W-wnen I've shown them. I'm going to turn the whole thing back. don't want something that doesn't really ! fTo Be Ceniimmsdl