Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-04-18
IRRESISTIBLE s sss Ms a:@.s,

all over the dormitOries. Youn Il
solt on me and we won't accomplish
thing" he seemed so perturbed and
certain, that Kenneth feared he might
lose this big chance.
Look, MIR. Harden, / don't want "a
oe rude, but the type Just doesn't in
seIeSt me. Rolls off my knife, as Il
Old Francis paid no attention.
You're too damn nice looking. that's
another thing. She likes 'em big. Your
clothes fit you too well" He stopped
sna his eyes ran over Duryea's double
breasted brown sharkskin, the solid
color tie. the custom made oxfords
self?"
7 might grow a beard" Kenneth
suggested.
How about q nice navy haircutq
How about-Iu tell you; weren't you
ever much heavier or much thinner
haven't you got an old suit that doesn't
No, but I saw a snappy little plaid
number Ia q window near Times Square,
the other evening. Seventeen-fifty, with
Two pairs OF pants"
Instantly Mr.. Harden's problem was
solved. The very thingl" he CALCULATED.
Kenneth leaned forward. You're not
serious?"
Son, was never more so. I've lost
lot Of sleep over that girl, but I'll
be hanged II III lose a big Job and
promising worker Get that suit and
another like it-worse, II you can find
one-and all the trimmings. And any
little faux pas you can make at the
table viii be Just so much to the good.
Kenneth had gotten up and was
prowling about uneasily. NThis's been
lot Of nice clean fun and all that
sort Of thing, Mr.. Harden. but I don't
mink you quite realize what you're
asking me 70 do"
The boss eyebrows came together
menacingly. Don't like the idea OF
making yourself a little less attractive,
mot at ALL" with some asperity. IT
don't like the idea Of assuming I'm 50
devilish attractive that something has
70 be done about It'll 1t goes against the
Mr.. Harden had never found himself
In the position Of having to modify his
charms. but he could see the younger
mans viewpoint, and tried another
tack. |
How about if you classify it as a |
lark2 How about doing 1t just for the
'How's about If you and I just go
to hotel2"
1t took an hour and 10 minutes.
Tempted by the absurdity Of it and a |
very urgent desire to stay In good with |
the old man, Kenneth allowed himself
to be persuaded-but the haircut was
out. Definitely"
When Gabrielle walked into the Ii
orary the following Sunday evening,
the Mr.. Duryea her father introduced
70 her was certainly nothing to write
nome about He was, however, worthy
Of second glance. Milk chocolate
brown crisscrossed with robins egg
blue; patch pockets in profusion and
trousers that practically began at the
lrmpitS-the little plaid number far
exceeded Mr.. Harden's widest hopes.
The trimmings we're 100 percent. With
hem, Mr.. Duryea appeared to have
AIKEN on certain gaucherie Of man
Ter that suited his employer 70 T.
Gabrielle'S nostrils gave small, In
voluntary witch and a shudder passed
through her. But long line Of aris-
ocratic ancestors and finishing schools
TODD her in good stead. How do you
TO, Mr.. Duryea2" And it really sound
d as though she wanted to know how
lie did.
MIR. Duryea. however, was completely
and showed IL. Gabrielle was
ock you in the midriff and throw you
# balance at the first sound Of the
ong. Few, indeed, survived to analyze
Ter ganely and perceive the fact that
ne was really no beauty at all.
Her hair was the color and had the
niny smooth surface Of q band Of
opper. She wore 1t parted In the mid
le. Her dark eyes and straight, thick,
aintbrush eyelashes stood out in
sartling contrast to the camellia petal
bitterness Of her skin; and then, Just
} surprise you stu further, her mouth
as full and wide and wicked looking.
he a small bad boys Sometimes, In
er favorite white satin, with Grand
lOther Harden's emeraldS around her
ender patrician throat and her bur-
lsned copper head held high, she
ould have been frightening almost
1t hadn't been for that bad, bad
geater and stained ski pants. with her
lt1rely gamin-n 1t hadn't been for
sr slender patrician throat and the
gal carriage OF her Furnished copper
sad.
She was quite courteous TO Mr.. Dur
% that first evening, saw to his bodily
zn1orts, sat with them both q polite
l1ir after dinner; but the door OF the
iephone closet In the hall inadvert-
lily swung aJar, and her conversation,
several dinner parties she
20 planned TO give, was distinctly au-
BILE.
q MM ~ ~