Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-03-05
CHAPTER VI

of people l don't trust. For instance,
why is Paul Sherman following
your"
II intend to find out tonight. He
has an appointment at the club at
ten-thirty. I'll try to see him alone
for few minutes. I'm going to ask
him to explain"
"Karl probably knows about it al
ready. It may be his ORDERS
THAT'S ridiculous!" Joan fared.
How can you dislike Karl so much?
After he got you your job and has
been so kind to your"
you're just tired, honey!' Sybil
said as she put comforting arms
about Joan. ''You don't get enough
sleep. You need more sun and fresh
air. Working in that shut-in office
with no outside windows is enough
to make anyone ILL.,"
"Let me alone!" her sister wept.
"You don't understand. No one I'M
derstands how feel"
Sybil sighed as she went back to
the kitchen.
But before Joan left for the office
she had kissed Sybil affectionately,
saying, "I'm sorry, Syb! guess I
am tired. One of the things that's
making me nervous is having Paul
follow me all the time. can't
stand it any longer, and I'm going
to settle it tonight"
Later when Joan hurried from the
apartment and walked to the trolley
line through the dark night, she felt
strangely exhilarated. 1t was a
thrill even to go to work when her
boss was Karl Miller.
''The whole world is different
when you're in love-" Joan thought,
and she pitied the girls who were
neglected by this great emotion.
At the Club Joan paused to look
at the crowd. The low ceiling was
flooded with soft indirect lighting.
1t was a pleasant intimate room.
The dance floor was small but ade-
quate. 1t formed circle in front of
the band which, according to Karl,
was 'going over big" The Club
Elite was definitely a success.
The bar at one side of the room
was crowded. Joan, glancing casu-
ally at the Wen-dressed men and
women, saw Paul Sherman. She
glanced at her watch. 1t was a
quarter of eight. She had fifteen
minutes before she was due in Karl's
office. Now was her chance.
Hello" Paul said. ''Is it posi-
BILE that you want to see me?"
Joan sat down beside him. II
have been seeing you almost con-
stantly for three weeks" she said
significantly.
'That's a tricky hat," Paul said
admiringly.
'Be serious, Paul. You know what
l mean. Why have you been fol-
lowing me?"
Must have been two other peo-
pie. Want a drink"
"No, thank you'll" Joan exploded.
'There's no use trying to evade the
issue. saw you down at the boat
! that night
His brown eyes were serious.
"You didn't tell Karl?"
"No! l didn't
why not?''
81 didn't want you to lose your
job," she confessed. II couldn't be-
heve that you meant any harm"
"That's very sweet of you, Joan!
l appreciate your confidence"
''Wen? Aren't you going to ex-
plain? If you don't, I'm going to
tell him.
Paul looked at his watch. eve
haven't time to talk now. You have
to be in the Office by eight, don't
you? I'll come in later and we'll
talk then. Meanwhile, please don't
say anything to Karl. Promise me,
Joan!"
81 won't if you'n explain
"You have all the instincts of
detective" Paul laughed.
That's what Karl told me once"
Joan informed him. 'I'll see you
later!"
Karl Miller was in his office. The
moment Joan entered, he drew her
into his arms. "That's an adorable
hat" he said, kissing her.
II knew you'd like it," She
pressed her cheek against his. I'm
possible to think about Paul Sher-
man, impossible to worry, or even
care what happened in the rest of
the world when she was in his arms.
''I'll be out Of the office until ten"
Karl told her. TRY to finish those
letters"
Paul wants to see you at ten
thirty" she reminded him.
'I'n be back. Good night, Heb
chen!"
Another kiss and he was gone.
Joan turned back to her typewriter
wondering how she could keep her
mind off Karl Miller and type these
letters. Karl was such a man! He