have gone through an entire horticultural catalogue, had not
his roving eyes at that moment suddenly been arrested by something that
caused them to open widely and fix themselves. The something was a
keen-looking man seated at another table who was glaring at time with a
steady and highly interrogative look. For once Mr. James Gollop's cheery
self-confidence deserted him and he was highly distressed; for the
keen-faced man happened to be his employer and his employer up to that
moment believed one James Gollop was out on the road some hundred or so
miles from New York looking after the interests of the Columbus
Chocolate Company. Jimmy recovered sufficiently to bow and the bow was
somewhat frigidly acknowledged. Jimmy's wits worked fast--very fast.

"Pardon me, won't you please," he addressed Mary Allen; "but there is a
man sitting over there to whom I wish to speak for just an instant. Got
to make an appointment with him, and this is opportune."

"Certainly," replied the lady, and Jimmy got up, crossed to his
employer, and without giving the latter a chance to say anything, thrust
out his hand and said, "Howdydo, Mr. Falkner. Howdydo! Got in off the
run early this trip and was coming down to see you as soon as I had
lunch."

"Oh, you were, were you?" dryly remarked his "boss," and the unhappy
Jimmy distinguished a tone of sarcasm. "Very kind of you, I'm sure.
We've been wanting to hear from you for several days. I'll expect you at
just three o'clock this afternoon."

Stunned by this unusual lack of cordiality, Jim said, "Very well, sir,
I'll be there," and with as much dignity as he could command, turned and
walked back to his table, but wondered heavily, what on earth he had
done; what was wrong; whether some prominent customer had gone bankrupt
or if Falkner merely had a grouch.

"I thought you went to see a friend, but you look as if you had been
talking with an undertaker," commented his guest.

"And that's just the way I feel about it," admitted Jimmy. "Because I've
got to meet him at three o'clock this afternoon, and I had anticipated
the pleasure of going somewhere with you."

"The mean old thing!" she exclaimed, impulsively, and Jimmy's heart
bumped at the knowledge that she, too, was disappointed.

"But," he suggested, hopefully, "if I called for you at the studio at
about six o'clock couldn't we dine together?"

And when she accepted his invitation with unconcealed enthusiasm, his
spirits again soar