Page 43 (1/1)

Under a s upon the platform was another little table, with indications of occasional ticket-selling upon it And in the end of the room where she sat were various little adornments--"art" calendars, a few books, fewer potted plants, a sewing-basket, and two rugs upon the floor, with a rocker for each Also there was a tiny, square table, with a pack of cards scattered over it

"Exactly You have it sized up correctly, ie Howard nodded her--head three tiame I had to, in self-defense Otherwise--" She waved a hand conspicuous for its white plu beautifully to little, pink nails immaculately kept "I took at the job and the place just as it stands, without anything in the way of er than a week? I've been here a month"

"I think," Evadna ventured, "it must be fun"

"Oh, yes It's fun--if you make fun OF it However, before we settle down for a real visit, I've a certain duty to perform, if you will excuselazily out of the chair, "it will illustrate just how I e my system"

Her absence was purely theoretical She stepped off the rug, went to the "express office," and took a card froht behind the inkwell, Evadna read in large, irregular capitals: "OUT WILL BE BACK LATER"

Miss Georgie Howard paid no attention to the little giggle which ith the reading, but stepped across to the ticket desk and to the telegraph table, and put si, pluh of relief, and reached for a large, white box--the five pounds of chocolates which she had sent for

"I never eat candy when I'm in the office," she observed soberly "I consider it unprofessional Help yourself as liberally as your digestion will stand--and for Heaven's sake, gossip a little! Tellaround the store occasionally--and especially about the polysyllabic gentle out at the Peaceful Hart ranch I'm terribly taken with him He--excusehis head off Wait till I see what he wants"

Again she left the rug, stepped to the telegraph instruered the key daintily until she had, with the other hand, turned down the "out" card Then she threw the switch, rattled an i of the sounder Her eyes and her mouth hardened as she read