The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-05-08

the notes, she could feel his eyes
burning into her.
She made a pretty picture sit
ting there. i'm her simple little
black schoolgirl dress, with the
crisp white collars and cuffs.
Through the window a sunbeam
entered. and caught up the high
lights m her golden curlS. Her
eyes were cast down, intent upon
her notes. and their long dark
lashcs seemed to rest on the vel
vet OF her cheeks-cheeks which
were a little pink now with a
flush of embarrassment. Norton
regarded her with undiSguiSed APP
probation. -,
After 10 or ID minutes, he laid
the papers aside, deliberately. He
noticed that the tiny clock on her
desk marked the hour of noon.
Its - o'clock" he remarked.
I'm keeping you from your
lunch"
That's quite all right" Joan
assured him. her tone crisp and
busincSSlike. -,
~ think it would be very much
nicer" he suggested, "if | took
YOU to lunch. We could return
later and finish this
Joan started, uneaSily. I'm
very sorry" she Stammered. Il
can't-not today =.
Norton smiled again. Il dis
tinctly heard Mr.. Hendry tell you
to take the afternoon off. Why
can't we spend it together
II have an engagement
Don't tell me that" He laugh
ed ut her. waving aside her eN-
cuscs. How can you have an en-
gagcment when YOU just learned
a moment ago that you would be
free"
He rose carclessly. walked over
to the window and pointed out
doors.
IT'S too perfect an afternoon to
waste i'm an office he comment
ed. And I'm stranger in your
city. Surely you could show me Il
little hospitality -
He returned to his chair, and as
he passed in back of Joan, he too
dropped his hand to pat her Shout
der But i'm his manner of doing 1t
there was none of the fatherfy
kindness which Mr.. Hendry's
similar action had denoted. Nor
toms touch on her shoulder was
deliberate, purpoSeful. and I'M
pleasant. Joan writhed under 1t.
II do have a luncheon engage
ment." she insisted. "Do you
mind if we finish this as quickly
as possible? | should not like to
be- late
You can break the appoint
mcnt."
Joan wondered now if the min
or changes he had suggested IN
the agreement were so very I'M
portant. after all. Was it, rather.
lust a little plan of his own to
sucnd the afternoon with her? II
il was companionship, why pick ON
her. There were a million girls
i'm New York. What was the rea-
son he sought her out so crathly!
It's quite impossible she re-
tortcd sharply. There is no way
in which | can reach the friend l
am to meet
A lady friend, | SUPPOSE ne
asked impcrtinently.
Yes"
Then suppose | take you both
To lunch. and you and | can en-
10Y ourselves alone, later on
Won't he understand that I'm
not going with him, Joan thought,
Must | run out of the office and
leave him sitting here? If only
Bob would drop by now. Bob,
She'd forgotten for the moment
that she wore a symbol of Bon. 5
protection against just this sort OF
unplcasantness.
I'm sorry. Mr.. Norton. Your
invitation really is a little-em-
barrasSing.'
She laid her left hand on the
desk, where the sunlight picked
up the brilliant sparkle of the dia-
mond in her ring. The gesture
was not lost on Norton. He laugh
ed, brazenly.
$50 that's the reason he re-
marked. The boy friends jeal-
Gus. eh?"
"No-not exactly"
Still laughing, ne patted the
hand that wore the ring. Joan
pulled it away quickly.
Don't be so old-fashioned. my
DEAR Norton advised. "What the
boy friend doesn't know will
never matter. While he's working
hard this lovely afternoon, you
and | can steal march
please understand, Mr.. Norton
It's quite impossible. I'm engaged
to marry Mr.. Andrews, of this OF.
flee. You know him, of course. ]
don't think Mr.. Hendry would
like"
Norton looked up in surprise