Evening star., 1941-09-11

getically and the man laughed. She
overheard one of them say, ''Beaut1-
ful kid. Probably going to have a
tooth out"
AS Julie alighted from the ele-
vator another car stopped at the
same floor and a fan wedge of bus
iness-bent persons emerged. And
there, separating himself from the
wedge, taller than the rest, gayer,
was Michael Gray in person. He
started down the hall, striding out,
and Julie fell in behind him. He
whiStled softly and she found her.
self keeping time, marching in step
with him. Like a parade, she
thought, a hysterical laugh rising
in her throat.
None of this was according to
plan. She was to have been seated
in the outer office when he arrived,
getting the lay of the land, making
up her mind as to the best proce-
dure. Instead, she was sneaking
up on him from the rear, her wits,
at the same time. scattering in every
direction. Her mind hurtled about,
snatching at unconnected impress
Sions. She hadn't noticed the
breadth of his shoulders in Santa
| Rio-how was she to know whether
or not Miss Johnson had really
eloped?-should she stop at the desk
and give her name?-was he still
desperately in love with Rita Dem
ing?-and what possible excuse
could she give for having come?
| She saw the lettered door beyond
him. He gave it a shove and she
followed through, close to his heels
He said breezily, Good morning
Miss Akers-good morning, Tom
fine day-wonderful Miss Akers
the receptionist, smiled fondly be-
hind shining spectacles. Tom, OBJ
viously an Office boy, answered
Good morning, Chief" Miss Akers
leaned forward, do you wish to
see some one?" she asked of Julie
Julie Takes Chance.
Julie hesitated, eyes darting
between the broad back of Michael
Gray and the shining spectacIes
He was bursting into an Office al
the opposite side of the room and
she made run for him. Sliding
! inside just before the door closed
/ she leaned with her back to it
breathing unevenly. She knew her.
self to be behaving badly. If she
wished to make a favorable i'm
preston on Mr.. Gray this was GER
tainly no way to go at it. She put
hand on the knob, half inclined
to retreat and start all over. Jus
then he whirled about. Discover
ing her presence, his right eyebrow
arched. Julie clung to the door
knob for support. Now he'd have
her thrown out. He smiled good
naturedly and she relaxed.
'Well-good morning" he said.
Good morning" she repeated
vaguely. Why should he be SC
breath-taking? What did he hav,
that other men lacked?
Did Miss Akers send you in?"
mo, she tried to keep me out"
Can 1 do something for you;
After his one smiling glance he hac
lost interest. Questioning her. hi
was running through the mail or
his desk. 1t was every which way
and he scoWled. not angrily, rather
in confused sort of way.
Yes, Mr.. Gray" Julie faltered.
Mike called, Miss Johnson
and, when there was no response
touched the button on the desk
speaker. Where in the devil i.
Miss Johnson?" he asked Then
Send her in the minute she comes.
jules heart skipped beat. Eve
lyn johnson had eloped and ALREADY
Mike Gray was lost without a Sec
retary. SO far so good. She pulled
off her gloves.
He sat down at the desk, Sitting
envelopes. throwing letters, check.
and memorandums this way anc
that. He appeared to have entirely
forgotten Julie. She removed mel
jacket and swept her hat from hel
head with one backward movement
These she placed on a chair. From
her purse she took a notebook anc
pencil. Then, sliding to a straight
chair beside Mikes desk. she sa
down primly. He fumbled through
the mail, cooking an eye at the dool
! frequently. All at once he became