Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-03-05
AI. MIS-
as always"

had lived. He was not an inexperi-
enced boy in his tWenties. Paul must
be twenty-six or seven but he
seemed boy compared to Karl,
Karl who was so sophisticated-so
completely sure of himself.
'Stop thinking about him!' Joan
scolded herself and, fitting a sheet
of paper into her typewriter, she
began to work.
1t was almost ten when the door
opened without warning. Joan
thought it was Paul but it was Eric
Strom, KarTs partner, who stepped
inside. Joan had not seen him since
the night he dined with Karl and
her.
"Ah! Miss Leland! You are alone,
1 see. And looking very beautiful
as always" Eric's voice was soft
but his eyes regarded her insolently.
Karl will be back any minute"
Joan said quickly.
81 don't think so. I left him only
a few minutes ago, quite absorbed
in business matter. Mind if I
have a drink"
"You're Karls partner. It's your
office, too" She was trying to con-
troll her dislike of him.
"You are very generous" Eric
Strom said, but he did not open the
bar concealed in the wall. Instead
he approached her desk.
you'll have to excuse me-" Joan
said, suddenly afraid. "I'm very
busy"
But with a quick step, Eric was
beside her. Drawing her to her
feet, he attempted to kiss her. "You
beautiful little DEVIL" he murmured.
Joan was terror stricken. She tried
to scream but no sound would come.
She pulled away with all her
strength but Eric Strom only
laughed.
"Let me alone!" Joan cried as she
felt Eric's arms about her.
She was not aware that the office
door had opened until hand seized
Eric and whirled him around.
"Paul!"
Pauls face was grim. "You dirty
rat!" He smashed his fist full in
Eric's face with blow that sent him
spinning across the room.
Eric staggered to his feet but
there was smile on his evil face.
you'll pay for this, Sherman!
You seem to forget 1 have some
thing to say about this business"
Joan leaned weakly against the
desk, sobbing.
"Shut up and get out!" Paul Or
dered, advancing toward Eric again.
And at that moment Karl Miller
appeared in the doorway, His voice
cut like a whip through the tense
atmosphere. whats going on
here?" he demanded.
| No one seemed inclined to an
swer him but he read the story in
their faces. 81 want to talk to Joan
-alone!" She had never heard him
use this tone before His voice was
edged with steel. His eyes were
hard. He seemed another Karl,
man she had never known.
AS Paul turned to go, Joan ran
to him. Thanks, PAUL." she said,
her voice trembling.
But Paul did not look at her. His
voice was strained. Don't men
ton it,"
When they were alone, Karl said,
"It won't happen again, Joan. I'll
see that Eric doesn't annoy YOU"
Desperately she tried to regain
control of her shattered nerves but
sobs shook her. Karl put his arms
about her and his touch was magic.
Don't cry, Liebchen! There's moth
ing to be afraid of now"
She chung to him, feeling strength
in his assurance. ooh, Karl, l love
you'll" The words tripped over each
other in stammering sincerity.
Karl Miller, pressing his lips
against her white forehead, smiled.
The days of November marched
by with astonishing rapidly Joan
was not bothered by Eric Strom
again and her fears vanished. Karl
was more attentive than ever, and
Joan, with the radiant assurance of
woman loved, checked off each
day as more perfect than the last.
Sometimes she doubted her eff
cheney as KarPs secretary. She
typed letters scarcely knowing what
she was writing. But if she was in
efficient Karl did not seem to notice
it.
| One rainy night Joan said to Sybil,
give never been so happy in my
life"
Its too good to be true Sybil