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

IN = T
Joan stared at him uncertainty
What did he mean by that? Did ev.
eryone at the Club Elite talk in rid.
dies? First Paul's inexplicahle be.
havior, now Eric Stroln' IS! What
would Karl think if he knew that
his partner and his manager had
both tried to make a date with his
secretary? Paul was young. Per
haps high spirits had prompted his
impudence. But Eric Strom was an
other matter, and Joan decided to
tell Karl about it the moment: they
| were alone.
She had no chance, however, for
when Karl returned to the table he
said briefly, Something has come
up. We'll have to go back to the
Office" s
The two men exchanged glances,
then looked at Joan. EDO you
mind?" Karl inquired with his quick
smile. ''I'd like to get couple of
letters out tonight. I know it
isn't in the bargain for you to work
on Sunday"
She knew that she was powerless
to refuse him. She would gladly
have typed endless letters in or
der to be near him.
Karl paid the check and the three
of them left. AS they drove back to
North Beach, sheets of rain beat
upon the car. The Club Elite was
closed on Sundays and Karl un-
locked the door with his own key.
Joan was surprised to see streak
of light streaming from the door of
his private office.
Hurrying along the corridor, she
reached it first and found herself
face to face with Paul Sherman.
He grinned at her. "a manager
never really has day off, LIVE.
Karl seemed to find nothing
strange in his presence at the club.
"You don't happen to have some
extra time, do you, Miss -Leland?"
Paul inquired. 81 could use some
help" e3
Before she could answer, Karl Mil
Ter said quickly, "She has enough
to do, Paul, and now if you don't
mind :" He left his sentence
unfinished.
Surely" Paul grinned and saun-
tered to the door. "See you tomor-
row." he called back but his eyes
were on Joan and she knew that he
was thinking of the dinner date he
had proposed.
She shook her head as she looked
at him over her typewriter but Paul
ignored it.
' Karl removed his overcoat and
sat down at his desk. Eric Strom
mixed himself drink.
''Take a letter." Karl said, read
ing from a sheet of yellow paper,
''to A. H. Gomez, Mazatlan, Mexico
5. +. Dear Sir, am happy to report
that the situation you mentioned has
been cleared up satisfactorily. The
club will be open from eight to two
and shows every sign Of being sue
cessful.." M -
Joan looked at him curiously. This
did not sound like an important bust
ness letter to her. Certainly not so
important that it couldn't wait until
morning. 3D. 81;
Seeing her glance, Karl said, s'I'm
afraid you're too tired. / shouldn't
have asked you to work tonight"
"It's all right, she FASTENED to
assure him, II don't mind, really"
But Karl Miller had changed his
mind. II will call a taxi and send
you home" i
But Pm not tired, KARL" -
He was dialing a number and
Joan knew it was useless to argue
with him. He went to the door of
the club with her, pressing her hand
as he said, 'I'm sorry it had to
turn out this way tonight. We'nsar-
range something else soon -. y"
Joan shivered in the damp night
air as she waited for the taxi A
small coupe stopped suddenly be-
fore her with screaming brakes.aIn-
voluntarily Joan stepped back, sur
prised to see Paul Sherman
what are you doing here alone?"
he asked. .' @aA4@1Ct
Waiting for a taxi" Joan replied
with dignity. ''i sts=
"Well, jump in, my girl!"' Paul
ordered cheerfully. .@ 'it3
He got out and opened the door of
the car. "You may as we'll let me
drive you home. You can't stand
here in the rain, you know.
:. 1t did seem. silly, Joan. admitted,
climbing in, but as Paul started the
car she cried, II left my purse in
the office" a@i >@ @
ITO BE CONTINUED)