Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-06
CHAPTER TWO


ITS ALL right, butler. I'm not
the least bit afraid of him. I'm not
afraid of anybody, see? I can't at-
ford to be. But I've got to see him
now! If that herd of females gets
at him he'll be"
Graham. the Merrifield butler
who was already distressed at this
days unseemly routine, had come
again into the masters study. AT
his heels this time was a strange
Young man. Of one accord Mr..
Merrifeld, Mr.. Weems and Gayle
Dixon turned to look.
The young man was decidedly in
earnest-obviously he had forced
himself right over poor Graham's
authority-and yet he wore
happy smile, too. His hair was
curly, and black. He was we'll
dressed, and built like an athlete.
He carried a hat with snapped
do E:".'.l
This gentleman has forced"
Graham began, but the young man
grabbed the conversational reins.
How do you do, everybody" He
turned to the three who sat before
Mr.. Merrifield's fireplace. Thanks,
butler, goodby. How do you do,
everybody" His repeating himself,
while he quickly appraised the peo-
pie and setting before him, caused
Gayle Dixon to smile in amuse-
ment. Mr.. Weems' mouth had
dropped open, and Mr.. Mortified
himself stared, incredulous.
You are Mr.. Merrifield, sir" the
intruder resumed, addressing that
gentleman unerringly. Il apologize
for forcing my way in, but the
truth is I've got to have work!
Look. Mr.. Merrifeld, there are 500
girls down there now, and by the
time you start seeing them at
eieht there'n be thousand! Now,
YOU can't handle that many in
month. I'm used to crowds and
showing and all that. I played foot
ball for four years-I'm just out
of college-I can handle any kind
of rush. and I can interview them
for YOU. Now look, you give me
some idea of what you want and
I'll begin wedding them out so that
you"
"I-you-who-" MIR. Weems
stammered that.
MY names Bill Bailey, and if
You'll excuse me, sir, we haven't
much time to wait. don't care
what you pay me. I've been trying
to get a job since January and I'll
take anything. I'll prove can de-
liver the goods first. Okay, hunh?"
Mr.. Mortified was staring at
him and working his old jaws, but
no sound came. Poor Mr.. Weems
was indignant. naughty; Gayle
highly amused. Most likely Mr..
Merrifeld-who had been we'll
disciplined executive for half a
century and r,c:"o-Would have
said a great deal in another mo-
ment or two, but at the instant the
flood began.
Some of the 500-odd girls evil
IDENTIFY sensed that Bill Bailey and
the butler would lead the way to
the Mortified sanctuEl, so the
more daring ones had started their
own trip upstairs. Others had fol-
lowed instantly. Now the feminine
mob was about to engulf the Mer-
rifeld study!
Bill Bailey was first to act. He
jumped to chair.
Quiet! Quiet. everybody" he
shouted, commandingly. Stand
where you are: Now listen,
girls! Anybody who forces her way
in will not be given a chance. I'm
derstand? All of you back out like
ladies, doggone it, and start filing
through that door one at time!
Mr.. Merrifeld-uh, he wants me
to say that he thanks all of you
very kindly and regrets that he
can hire only one. I'll pick out six
or eight for him to choose from,
while he and his brother and grand
daughter or somebody. look on.
Understand ?"
He gave one hurried glance at
the trio oy the fireplace, then
turned back to the mob. Girls had