Evening star., 1940-06-07
CHAPTER Nv.


Scott OF her trail she adopts a new
name.
CHAPTER Nv.
John North said firmly, I'm
sorry, Miss Hammond, but I'm
afraid you are not quite qualified"
Joan Charters, alias Joan Ham,
mond felt her heart sink. She
he'd been eager, fully confident, on
entering the New York Offices of
North Aircraft. But her confidence
had burst like a bubble when she
sent her name in to John North
He had not remembered their ap-
pointment. But he had seen her,
when she explained about Mike
Halloran. Then on entering his
private Office, her confidence was
| hardly a memory. For John North
had looked at her with disapproval.
Il don't doubt your capabilities, :"
he added, but I wanted expert
ence. I intended to hire much
older person"
Since when" Joan asked, bris-
Ting, has youth lost out in avia-
| tion?"
I'm sorry, Miss Hammond. But
didn't expect Mike Halloran to
send me we'll, a glamour girl"
so that's it. Well, 1 can't help
1t if I'm attractive"
mo, of course not" saaid John
North He took up some papers
from his desk. Il am sorry, Miss
Hammond. l am very busy"
Il need this job very much, Mr.
North" she said.
No doubt" said John North.
But I'm not sentimentahst."
mo, you're hard-headed busi-
nessman"
John North threw back his head
and laughed. Joan said, I suppose
it is funny-to you"
He was quickly apologetic I'm
sorry. Your calling me that is
| funny. I heard the same words last
night, applied to another man. . . .
Oh. sit down again, Miss Hammond,
and we'll talk the matter over"
Joan Meets Bromley.
Joan sat at the secretary'S desk
in the outer room. Behind her
was the door to John North's pri-
vate office. On the opposite side of
the room were swinging glass doors
behind which the staff of clerical
| employees worked. The doors
opened and tall, stoop- -shouldered
man appeared. He came to Joan's
desk, smiling. He had a kindly
| face.
is the chief in?"
NO. He just stepped out. He'll
| be back in an hour"
| The man perched on the edge of
/ the desk. "Bromley's the name. I
work at designing planes. What do
| they call you?"
Hammond" Joan said. She was
| becoming accustomed to the as
sumed name. Il work at being
secretary"
Bromley was looking at her GU
riously. I'm surprised the chief
took you on"
Why? Is something wrong with
me?"
You're too good looking. The
chief doesn't go for attractive
women. He doesn't trust EN-"
"A woman-hater?"
Something like that. One made
a sucker of him once. Want some
advice?'
I'll listen to it."
Don't let John North think
| you're making a play for him. The
last girl fell for him-and now she S
hunting a new job. A word to the
wise, you know"
Laura Again.
Joan smiled up at him Thanks.
But there's no danger of my falling
for John North. I've known his
sort before"
Thought you had" said Bromley
"You don't look like the ordinary
run of secretary"
Joan drew the typewriter close
and ran in sheet of paper. What
do I look like?"
Bromley removed himself from
her desk "Ive been wondering" he
said, and walked away.
Joan looked after his lanky
stopped person. She thought Brom-
ley and she could be friends.
The telephone rang Joan took 1t
up. Good morning. North Aircraft
Mr.. North's office"
A feminine voice said, Let me
speak to Mr.. North, please"
I'm sorry, but Mr.. North isn't In
the office Is there a message?"
Tell him to call Miss Laura
Ward"
Very WELL" said Joan, and drop
ped the phone back into its base
Quickly, as though it had burnt
her hand.
John North strobe into the
Office. He said, without stopping
Bring your book. in for dictation
Miss Hammond"
Joan took a shorthand pad from
a drawer. This would be difficult
Her shorthand would be rusty from
disuse. She rose and went into the
private office. John North was at
his desk, frowning over some
papers. His eyes looked troubled
He said, Take letter"
Joan sat down, opened her pad
poised her pencil. She said, Excuse
me, Mr.. North. Miss Laura Ward
telephone. She wanted you to call
her"