Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-06-01
A BETTER OFFER.


nerves were iron. He had grown old, is
il were, in the business, the business that
he now carried on alone, for his father
had retired from active management the
year before. 1t was Il rich house. con-
sentative nOuse that took few chances
and chung tightly to its reputation for
strict integrity and square dealing.
He was busy at the moment with an
important letter of advice from his buyer
in Paris. But his face cleared as he saw
tine cause of the interruption. He even
smiled and thrust the letter aside. Then
he waved his hand toward the chair thar
stood near the desk.
sit down, Miss Ronalds
Thank you, Mr.. Clayton" said the
girl, but l will detain you only a mo-
ment"
She was a fne-looking young woman.
Not too young-clOse TO six and twenty.
perhaps, but possessed OF a youthful
charm of voice and manner that would
grow old very slowly.
Richard Clayton waited for his caller
TO proceed with her errand. But she
hesitated.
What can 1 do for you, Miss
Ronalds?" he asked.
Mr.. Clayton" said the girl, Il have
come to ten you That L am going to leave
Clayton x Son.
Going to leave us? Are you dissatis-
fed?''
No the girl quickly replied. But l
have a better offer"
OH said Richard Clayton. The new
house has thrown out its bait, eh!"
There was a little change in his tone
that the girl was quick to recognize.
Yes" She said, 1.-THE pay is better
please understand. Miss Ronalds." he
said, that we are not bidding against the
new house. If they want our best peo-
pie, and our best people desire to go to
them, the house has nothing further to
say. We shall not in any instance meet
their offers of increased salary
The girl cOlOred slightly.
Il think you quite mistake the mean
ing of my call she said Il certainly
had no intention of using the offer from
the Stapeton company as IA club In
fact. | had decided some time ago TO
leave your employ at the first opportuni-
ty. Pray do not ask me for the reason.
1t has nothing to do with my business
relations here. | am going away with
only the kindest feelings for all my as
sOciates, and | particularly want to
thank you for your many courtesles-
and I'm very sorry | have detained you
so long"
She turned to retire, but Richard Clay
ton called her back.
Miss Ronads," he said. "One mo-
ment please. | want to apologize for my
rude speech of Il moment ago. We have
lost so many of our best Saiespeople that
| suppose | must have felt Il little irr
tated when | spoke. Kindly forget it.
When do you want to leaYe:'
Next Monday, she replied. The list
of the month
And you are determined to go to
them =
4 told them I would come unless 1
received a better offer.
And you will not entertain any offer
from Clayton x Son!
The girl shook her head
Mo- she answered.
Very WE'LL said Richard Clayton. as
he turned back to his letter. Il have
no doubt will see YOU BEFORE you go,
The girl bowed and took her way back
to the glove department.
Richard ClaytOnS eyes We're on the
Paris letter. but his ears were strained
TO catch the last sound of the girls foot
fails. Then he sighed as he tried to fix
ms attention ON the business in hand
But somehow the figures seemed to dance
aside and pair of big brown eyes looked
up at him from the page.
As far back as he could remember his
thoughts had never wandered as they did
ms particular morning. He was Il me-
lhodical man and his mind was a Well
trained machine. 1t had been running
III one groove so long that he had sup
posed it never could leap to another.
1t was quite extraordinary. His face
suddenly glowed as another thought as
sailed him. Was he in love!
And then his mind came back with Il
sudden SWerve to the fact that Helen
konaldS was about to leave Clayton K
H9n. But why should this disturb him:
mere had been at various times hun
UredS Of girls in his employ. If one of
mem Wss dropped from the pay roll the
net had never disturbed him. What was
mere about this girl that was different
rom the others She was handsome
that was undeniable. He knew she
came of a good family because he had
uttIU the story pf bpr brilliant md
mug and financially unfortunate father
NJ Knew that with her earnings She sup
ported herself and mother, and that She
1 1:99 heen educated for something quite
different.
lie would admit that he had been in
crested in Miss ROnadS from the first
by ne saw her at the glove counter.
ai'haby it was her fathers story that
"dhened this interest. He remembered
me very day of her appearance. He re-
.nflh9ered how he had gone back and
+iSNtd the head of the department who
's new girl was. ana the man told him
~ story y little later he had spoken
an yer on some trivial matter of business
ba,a On that same day he had advanced
wages. Helen was an excellent
q'.tSWoman and well earned her 50 a
fh' And yet so seemed very little
H. FAMILY Of two. and for girl with
IL carry advantages and home life that
SeI mad known. No doubt Clayton &
cor- IoU 4dueu To appreciate her, be-
tS-se mere was the new house Outhiddiug
i f1en! And yet there was no use Of try
ma % remedy this injustice now She
NO. Sald that the increased salary was
Vine only reason she had for leaving.
Ha5 could the other reason be?
I'LL tnen Richard Clayton felt that
pis .blaI@ he himself had unwittinglv fur
h. pa, the cause. He remembered that
SON. On numerous occasions paid her
DR. little attentions that might have
H., a 4 the notice of the other girls. And
VII their talk had a business coloring.
H. '{grtiheiess. he remembered he had no.
Srii;tnat several of the girls were slyly
ntwo with Helen.
br-.te>tntiy the Office boy heard him
'uilng n tune and observed at tho