Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-11-21
STORY for an
Hole 'G0our
A BETTER OFFER.


The junior partner in the firm of
Clayton & Son looked up. He was q
man of perhaps five and thirty, and
seemed little older. But his eyes
were bright and his nerves were iron.
He had grown old, as it were, in the
business, the business that he now
carried alone, for his father had re
tired from active management the
year before. 1t was q rich house, a
conservative house that took few
chances and chung tightly to it's Tela-
ton fog 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 the cause of the Interrupt
ton. He even smiled and thrust the
letter aside. Then he waved his hand
toward the chair that stood near the
desk
Sit down, Miss Ronalds"
Thank you, Mr.. Clayton" said the
girl, but I will detain you only a
moment"
She was finelooking young wO-
| man. 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 l do for you, Miss Ron
aIds?" he asked
"Mr Clayton" said the girl, q have
come to tell you that 1 am going to
leave Clayton & Son"
Going to- leave us? Are you dis
satisfied"
NO." the girl quickly replied. but
have better offer"
"Oh!" said Richard Clayton. The
new house has thrown out it's bait,
eh?"
There was a little change in his tone
that the girl was quick to recognize.
Yes" she said, ''the pay is better. %
please understand, Miss Ronalds,"
he said, that we are not bidding
against the new house. If they want
our best people, 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.
L think you quite mistake the
meaning Of my call" she said. GER
tainly had no intention of using the
offer from the Stapleton company as
"a club. In fact, had decided some
time ago to leave your employ at the
first opportunity. Pray do not ask
me for the reason. 1t has nothing to
do with my business relations here.
| am going avian with only the kind
est feelings for all my associates, and
l particularly want to thank you for
your many courtesies-and I'm sorry
l have detained you so long"
She turned to retire, but Richard
Clayton called her back.
Miss Roralds," he said. zone mo-
ment, please. I want to apologize for
my rude speech of a moment ago. We
have lost so many of our best sales
people that l suppose I must have felt
little irritated when l spoke. Kindly
forget it. When do you want to
leave?"
Next Monday" she replied. THE
first of the month"
And you are determined to 90 to
them"
Il told them | would come unless
received a better offer"
And you will not entertain an offer
from Clayton & SOM"
The girl shook her head.
Very we'll" said Richard Clayton,
as he turned back to his letter. al |
have no doubt I will see you before |
you 60"
The girl bowed and took her way
back to the glove department.
Richard Clayton's eyes were on the
Paris letter but his ears were strained |
% catch the last sound of the girls
FOOTBALLS. Then he sighed as he tried
o fix his attention on the business in
hand. But somehow the figures
seemed to dance aside and a pair of
zig brown eyes looked up at him from
he page.
AS far back as he could remember
lis thoughts had never wandered as
hey did this particular morning. He
vas methodical man and his mind
vas well-trained machine. It had
'een running in one groove so long
hat he had supposed it never could
cap to another.
1t was quite extraordinary His face
glowed as another thought {
ssailed him. Was he in love? {
And then his mind came back with I
sudden swerve TO the fact that !
lelen Ronalds was about to leave t
layton & Son. But why should this {
isturh him? There had been at