Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-11-21


his thoughts had never wandered as
they did this particular morning. He
was a methodical man and his mind
was a well-trained machine. It had
been running in one groove SO long
that he had supposed it never could
leap to another.
It was quite extraordinary. His face
suddenly glowed as another thought
assailed him. Was he in lover
And then his mind came back with
sudden swerve to the fact that
Helen Ronalds was about to leave
Clayton & Son. But why should this
disturb him? There had been at
various times hundreds of girls In his
employ. If one of them was dropped
from the payroll the fact had never
disturbed him. What was there about
this girl that was different from the
others?. She was handsome, that was
undeniable. He knew she came of
good family, because he had heard the
story of her brilliant and cratic, &0t
financially unfortunate father. He
ported herself and mother, and that
she had been educated for something
quite different
He would admit that he had been
interested in Miss Ronalds from the
first day he saw her at the glove coun-
ter. Probably it was her fathers
story that awakened his interest. He
remembered the very day Of her ap
pearance. He remembered how he
had gone back and asked the head OF
the department who the new girl was.
and the man told him her story. A
little later he had spoken to her on
some trivial matter of business, and
on that same day he had advanced
her wages. Helen was an excellent
saleswoman and we'll earned her 50 q
week. And yet SO seemed very little
for family of we, and for . girl
with the early advantages and home
| life that Helen had known. No doubt
Clayton & Son had failed to appreciate
her, because there was the new house
outbidding them. And yet there was
justice now. She had said that the
increased salary was not the ozly
reason she had for leaving. What
could the other be?
And then Richard Clayton felt that
perhaps he himself had unwittingly
| furnished the cause. He remembered
that he had on numerous occasions
paid her some little attentions that
might have drawn the notice Of the
other girls. And yet all their talk had
business coloring. Nevertheless, he
rendered he had noticed that sew
eral of the girls were slyly smiling
when he had paused for word or two
with Helen.
Presently the Office boy heard him
humming a tune and observed at the
same time that Richard Clayton was
writing letter. And while 1t was
monumental task he seemed to en-
tract much enjoyment from it's con
| coction. At last he coaxed it into a
shape that suited his inexperienced
taste.
Dear Miss Ronalds," it began,
your verbal notification of even date
conveying intelligence of intended
withdrawal from the clerical force OF
our house, has been duly considered.
While the firm regrets to lose your
valuable services, it has no wish to
stand in the way of your securing any
situation that seems an improvement
upon your present one. At the same
time the house of Clayton & Son is
not willing to let you enter the service
of rival without making an effort to
restrain you. Understanding that no
mere money consideration will cause
| you to change your mind regarding
this contemplated withdrawal, our
Richard Clayton begs leave to offer
to you himself, his name, his hand
and fortune-his fervent admiration
and his true love. While this may
seem abrupt to you, dear lady, Mr.
Clayton finds now that It was a eli
max toward which he has been has
tening for some time. He understands
that it was the shock of learning that
you were about to leave his service
that brought full realization of his
deep regard for you. And while ne
realizes, too, that he is but a clumsy
novice at this form of correspondence
commencing late in his life-if he
could plead his cause in person and
give you the opportunity to become
better acquainted with him, It would
be greatly to his advantage. Realizing
as you must our Mr.. Richard Clay
toms anxiety, will you not favor him
with a reply at your earliest possible
convenience? Very truly yours, Clay
ton & Son.
Up. S-My regards to your esteemed
mother" R.C.
At o'clock Richard Clayton paused
at the glove counter. Ee knew that
the other girls were watching him.
Miss Ronalds," he said in his most
businesslike tone, here is the recon-
mendation for which you asked" and
he handed her the letter and with
stif little nod passed along.
The next day was Sunday, and n
L was plOSa IN MON uhau q r;ro ~ A.