Evening star., 1940-11-24


great windows overlooking the river, where
Arizona had once stood, humble saesgirl,
to receive reproof from the man who was
later to be her father in law and now she
entered it with another sort of awe created
by the great responsibility she had just
undertaken.
Turning to close the door behind her, she
discovered Ted Lowery at her heels. Where
did you come from" she asked startled
Canada" he said literally, tossing his hat
aside and seating himself on corner of her
desk Il have business there - wholesale
woolens, bolts of it. Shortage now, of course,
because of the war That why I've come to
New York for replenishment. Just now
England is sending us more refugees than
tweeds Just to think that originally was
annoyed at having to make this trip His
ewes left no doubt about why his feeling had
changed and Arizona did not pretend to mis-
understand.
Il Look here. stranger, she said, I'm going
to take this bull by the good old bull -doggin'
method | may be a widder woman, but
have no spare time. | am not eating with you
and am busy tonight - In fact, as soon as
| have powdered my nose, | am going to be
busy ridin fences on this range to see If every
thing is okay on all ten floors. SO will you
kindly scram?"
Instantly he was grave and apologize.
Look here. didn't mean to be cheeky, he
said earnestly. ITS just that - well, I've
never met anyone like you and | simply
couldn't let you 60 Can't possibly make
friends"
Arizona looked at him long and carefully.
and for a moment there was an interested
gleam in the great gray eyes. Then memory
seemed to cloud them and she shook her head:
Friends come out of wear and tear. You can
make EN- too sudden. And now if you will
excuse me. Mr. -
Ted Lowery,' he reminded her, holding
out his hand. Her own met it for one heart
warming instant Il wish | could help you!"
he exclaimed involuntarily After all am
business man, and if you ever needed someone
to lean on
Arizona withdrew her hand instantly "PeO-
pie who lean on somebody else for support.
she said generally find they are leaning on
an empty banana skin.
lRUE to her promise to ride fences" the
next two weeks found Arizona all over the
vast store No detail was too small for her
active interest Ted Lowery who, as he
solemnly told her, was staying over to study
American methods of shop-running caught
her at the perfume counter vOlubly telling a
customer that new French essence smelled
like fresh sage lilies; met her in the basement,
where to the accompaniment of lecture on
efficiency, those magnificent hands of hers
were wrapping up a sixty-Cent frying pan
for a customer who was in a hurry. All of this
he endured with tender amusement. But when
he caught her in the pet department showing
the girl in charge how to clean parrot S cage,
he reached the saturation point of silence.
Look here" he said, firmly leading her off
to the soda fountain and ordering coffee,
This can't go. on. know it's theoretically
none of my business, but you are working
yourself to death for no good reason. You pay
do the work.
For answer Arizona leaned far over the
counter and discovered some refuse in a
corner Who's in charge here" she de
manded of the nearest soda Jerker DO have
to keep roarin' like mountain lion day and
night in order to -
LOwery laid demonstrating hand on her