Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-02-19
CHAPTER Nv

as she replied, "What do you
mean?"
''Just what l said. Who suggested
it to your
81 lost my Job last week." Joan
told him, wondering why she was
doing SO. After all it really wasn't
any of Paul Sherman's business
why she was here. "That same
night I saw want ad for this one.
came down to apply and Karl, Mr..
Miller, hired me-"
fore that?"
Il don't see what it is to you"
Joan flared resentfully.
Don't bite my head off," Paul
said pleasantly. 81 just wondered,
that's all. I would like to be your
friend, Miss Leland. You may need
one"
"I'm doing all right" Joan said,
irritated.
'Okay. But just one more ques-
ton. Have you met Karl's partner,
Eric Strom?'
Joan answered him reluctantly.
eric Strom? No, I haven't met
him. Why?"
''I'm the one asking the ques-
tions," Paul retorted, and Joan felt
that he was laughing at her as he
rose and went to the door.
II have work to do, Mr.. Sher-
man. she said Grossly.
"CalI me Paul. BY the way, how
about having dinner with me some
night?"
Joan was surprised at the audacity
of this request. 81 expect to be
very busy" she said colby. F -
Nevertheless" Paul Sherman re-
torted, II shall meet you on Monday
night at six o'clock" He mentioned
the grill of a well-known hotel.
81 have no intentions of being
there"
"By Monday you may change
your mind.
Joan sighed as the office door shut
behind him. 1t seemed that at ev-
cry turn she met surprise What
would Karl say if he knew that his
manager had tried to make date
with his secretary? The secretary
whom only a few moments ago Karl
had held in his arms. In a way she
was glad that Paul Sherman had
interrupted that perfect moment.
Karl would be angry and Karrs
wrath was one thing that Joan would
not risk. s3,
"KarlN' Joan thought, closing her
eyes against the memory of his
handsome, expressionless face,
steadying. herself against the flood
of emotion that swept over her. 81
shouldn't have let him kiss me-"
Joan told herself. ''But L love him!
love him, yet I'm afraid :"
Even to herself Joan did not like
to admit that the reason for her
fear was that Karl Miller did not
return her affection. True, he had
taken her out; he had even kissed
her. But Joan doubted that any
woman could possess his entire
heart. The situation intrigued her;
at the same time she was frightened.
Joan and Sybil spent a quiet Sum
day. Karl had told Joan that he
would not be able to see her over
the weekend and she found that
even one day without him was
enough to make her unhappy.
Sybil seemed cheerful at the pros
pect Of starting her new job at the
Ritz Beauty Shop. whats the mat
ter with your" she asked as Joan
sat staring into space. We've
both got job. There's nothing
to worry about"
Joan suspected that Sybil knew
what was worrying her but she dis
liked bringing up the subject of Karl
Millers Instead she told Sybil about
Paul Sherman and his proposal that
she have dinner with him.
Sybil lay on the couch, her blonde
hair in curriers'. "He sounds all
right, 9she commented. "Why don't
you go?"
II don't even know the man."
Joan protested. II met him only last
night.
Sybil raised an eyebrow as she
contemplated her sister. ''You didn't
know Karl Miller either, but you
fell in love with him overnight. Or
maybe should say you think you're
in love with him."
Joan curled up In the big chair
and opened magazine which she
pretended to read.
Look, honey, why not confess?
l know how you feel"
Joan lifted confused, radiant
face. "Oh, Syb, you're right! do
love him, I'm so in love with him
that it frightens me because can't
believe that he really cares about