Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-11-21

others? She was handsome, that was
undenfable. He knew she came of q
good family, because he had heard the
story of her brilliant and erratic, Sad
financially unfortunate father. He
knew that with her earnings she sup
ported herself and mother, and that
she had been educated for something
quite different
He would admit that ne 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-
pearaDce. 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 WIS IN excellent
saleswOmau and we'll earned her SO a
week. And yet SO seemed very little
for 8 family of we, and for Girl
with the early advantages and home
life that Helen had known. No doubt
Clayton & Son had failed 10 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 only
reason she had for leaving What
could the other be-
And then Richard Clayton felt that
perhaps ne 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
a business coloring. Nevertheless, he
rendered he had noticed that sew
eraI OF the girls were slyly smiling
| when he had paused for a 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 q letter. And while it was a
monumental task he seemed to ex.
tract much enjoyment from it's con,
cOctiOn. At last he coaxed it into a
shape that suited his inexperienced
| taste.
Dear Miss ROnalds, 1t 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 tC
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 a rival without making an effort tC
restrain you. Understanding that nc
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 hanC
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 thai
you were about to leave his service
that brought a full realization of his
! deep regard for you. And while he
realizes, too, that he is but clumsy
novice at this form of correspondence
! Id L. =
| 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 5 o'clock Richard Clayton paused
| at the glove counter He 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 a
stiff little nod passed along.
The next day was Sunday, and it
was close to noon when a ring at the
bell drew him to the door. A small
boy stood there, a small boy who
thrust a little envelope into his hand
and vanished.
And this was the message that came
to Richard Clayton:
No. 2237 Cremona Street, Saturday
night. Messrs. Clayton & Son, for Mr..
Richard Clayton. Dear Sir.-Your
kind letter of recommendation and
inquiry has been duly considered In
reply | would say that l have mailed
to Messrs Stapleton & Co. this evening
a message which may be briefly con
densed to these words: Il have re-
ceived better offer" My mother and
/ would be pleased to have you take
tea with us on Sunday evening at 6
o'clock. Sincerely yours, Helen Ron
aids
"You dear, foolish man, do you think
this is quite formal enough?
Helen"