Evening star., 1940-03-24

she began to like the background
of shining jewelry.
She told herself it was heritage
from her father who had passion
ately loved the precious stones
which had caused his downfall.
She ought to have hated those
rows of emeralds and diamonds and
rubies in their satin cases, but in
stead they fascinated her. There
was a glitter and polish about the
entire place which penetrated even
to the Office where Gail typed. There
was even certain splendor about
it, particularly when Chris Reid
condescended to grace it with his
presence
He stopped at her desk the first
morning she came to work, asking
carelessly, Everything okay?"
Lifting her eyes to his, Gail met
his ardent golden gaze. She an
swered politely, but to her annoy
ance her heart had begun to pound.
Everything is fine, thanks! 1t
was very kind of you to tell your
father that we knew each other
He wouldn't have hired me other
wise"
Chris laughed.
Knows Father.
II know my father" he said cas-
fly. ut wasn't on my account, but
because you were a friend of Cy
Morgan's son. He's all for old
friends, old books. etc. The tried
and true. He distrusts everything
new or modern. That's why I'm
such a trial to him"
Are you?" she asked surprised.
"Oh, but definitely" he retorted
Perhaps because of this CONVEX
sation, which took place in full
view of the other employees, Gail
could make little headway with
them. Tobias Wentworth as man
ager of the store had no contact
with her, but the bookkeeper
through whom Gail had hoped to
gain some information was as aloof
at the end of a month as she had
been that first day.
Only the janitor, who for obvious
reasons was called Buzz" threw
any light upon the situation.
1t was he who told her that the
exotic looking Helen Stiles was in
love with the manager.
They never says two words to
each other he declared, but one
night seen her kissing him"
If Helen had been a blond in
stead of raven haired brunette Gail
might have been more interested
since both the bookkeeper and
manager had worked at Reid's when
her father was there. But the only
blond in the store was Hazel Stone
and although Gail deliberately culti-
waited the stenographer to the ex-
tent of lunching several times with
her, Hazel's conversation was con-
fined to discussion of the atten-
tions of her various man friends.
Have you worked at Reid's very
long," Gail asked finally.
"Why?" Hazel parried.
Forces a Laugh.
1t was apparent that she was
unwilling to admit to the seven
years the janitor had attributed to
her. Gail forced herself to laugh
"No reason" she said. "I just
wondered if Mr.. Reid kept his en-
ployes long"
Hazel looked relieved.
I've worked here for three years" "
she stated. But then started into
the business world very young. I
was the youngest girl in my class
at school,"
But she's % if she's a day." Gail
said reporting this to Bill. ''z>.'
Nov why do you suppose she
lied about it?" .-
You say she is a blond?" Bill
asked thoughtfully.
Gail flushed. .<
"Yes, but my father could never
have been interested in girl like
that"
II was wondering if she could
have stolen the emerald for her
self and then become frightened"
he explained.
"She's shallow and conceited," Gail
admitted wearily, "but some way I
can't imagine her really stealing
anything. To tell the truth I can't
imagine any one in the store doing it,
now that I know them"
"Why don't you let the whole
thing drop?" Bill cried eagerly.
Doesn't this prove that was right?
You're just upsetting yourself for
nothing"