The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-06-30

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hideous disguise. She knew that
Freddy Matthews had actually
shuddered when he saw her.
In the hall Freddy turned to
Miss Belden. Look here, Abbey
you can't do this to mel" he ex
claimed.
do what?" she asked with pre-,
tended innocence.
Run my affairs, hire my secre
tary-"
But you complained that you
had no secretary and that you
wanted one. I got one for you, as
a favor"
"a favor! That gosh-awful
creture?"
"She is very efficient.
But look at her, Abbey! Her
face would stop a clock. it would
make it run backwards
Whats that to do with It?
You aren't running a beauty con.
test, you are writing a novel"
."Oh well, no doubt she is a
GOOD girl-a girl with a face
like that HAS to be good"
ANY other kind of a girl. Freddy
Matthews" Miss Belden said.
dryly, wouldn't be much help to
you in writing your novel,"
mo. 1 didn't mean" he
sighed heavily. "Oh well. I am
sure she will be efficient-she
must have SOME redeeming quail
ties, but"
But what?
well, I won't have any work
for her until tomorrow"
Nov listen to me, Freddy
There was a world of appeal in
Miss Beldens voice. Tomorrow
nothing! NOW! You made a
whacking big success with your
first novel.
It spoiled you because it gave
you a reputation and a lot of
money and you are on the verge
Of losing both if you don't get
busy"
Nov Abbey, don't be vulgar
about it," Freddy protested.
"I'll show you how vulgar I can
be. On the strength of your ten
page synopsis of your story I sold
picture rights to Superfine Produc-
tionS for thirty thousands dollars
and they advanced you half of
that. Have you overlooked that?'
"Overlooked 1t, Abbey? I've al
most overdrawn it "
There you are. Unless your book
is finished in twenty-one days you
will not only lose the fifteen
thousand due, but you will be sued
for the half you've already spent"
"Shucks Abbey, they can't get
blood out of turnip."
You stop being a turnip,
Freddy. My reputation as well as
yours is at stake. You have got to
fulfill your contract and deliver
the balance of this novel on time.
Now that isn't being vulgar, it's
being damn serious"
Freddy patted her husky Shout
der.
you are right, Abbey"
you know I'm right. That's
why brought this Miss Morrison
over to you-She is efficient, and
she will not distract your mind in
the least with-er-thoughts."
Freddy grinned at her, under.
standingly.
She certainly WON'T" he
agreed.
Come here" Miss Belden said,
and led the way back through
the living room and into the
study where Margery had
finished busting the desk and
arrayed papers. books. pencils,
erasers and other paraphanalia.
Margery was standing by the
window, her mind still in con-
siderable of a turmoil.
Miss Belden picked up the
desk calendar and. with a foun-
tain pen, made a heavy black
ring around the "25" date.
Miss Morrison" she said.
Margery came over to the desk.
See this date, the twenty
fifth?"
Yes, Miss Belden." Margery
couldn't restrain a smile because
she saw what was coming. Freddy
glancing at Margery. thought that
at least she did have a pleasant
smile.
Mr.. Matthews novel has to be
finished on this date. He is go,
ing to start work right now. You
will be equally responsible with
him if the completed manuscript
isn't on my desk on that date"
Margery looked at Freddy, then
at Miss Belden.
II will do my best" she said.
Then go to it," Abbey Belden
doomed, and left them.
CHAPTER K
"Well?" Margery said, question
ingly. after Miss Belden had or
dered Freddy to get to writing,
and had left them.