Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-12-14

dreds of girls in his employ II one
of them was dropped from the payroll
the fact bad never disturbed him. What
was there about this girl that was diff
ferent from the others? She was hand
some, that was uTdeniabEe. He knew
she came of good family, because he
had heard the story of her brilliant AID
erratic, and financially unfortunate
father He knew that with her elrn-
ings she supported 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 this interest. He reniem-
bered the very day of her appearance.
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 ex-
| cellent saleswoman and we'll earned her
| So a week. And yet So seemed very lit
! tie for a family of two, and for a girl
with the early advantages and home life
that Helen had known. No doubt Clay
ton & Son had failed to appreciate her,
because here was the new house outb1d-
ding them. And yet there was no use
of trying to remedy this injustice now.
| She had said that the increased salary
was not the only reason she had for
| leaving What could the other reason
be?
And then Richard Clayton felt that
perhaps he himself had unwittingly fur
nished 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 color
ing. Nevertheless, he remembered he
had noticed that several of the girls
were slyly smiling when he had paused
for a word or two with Helen.
Presently the office boy heard hin
humming a tune and observed at the
same time that Richard Clayton was
writing a letter And while it was
monumental task he seemed to extract
much enjoyment from its connection.
At last he coaxed it into shape that
suited his inexperienced taste.
Dear Miss Ronalds, it began, your
verbal notification of even date convey
ing intelligence of intended withdrawal
from the clerical force of Our house has
been duly considered. While the firm
regrets to lose your valuable services 1t
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 a rival without making an
effort to restrain you. Understanding
that no more money consideration VIII
cause you to change your mind regard
ing this contemplated withdrawal, our
| Mr.. 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 hnds
now that it was a climax toward which
| he has been Fastening for some time.
| He understands that it was the shock
of learning that you were about to leave
his service that brought full real1za-
! ton of his deep regard for you. AND
while he realizes, too, that he is but 4
clumsy novice at this form of cores
pondence-commenci late ii life, as
it were-he feels convinced that if he
could plead his cause in person and
give you the opportunity to become bet
ter acquainted with him, it would be
greatly to his advantage. Realizing as
YOU must our Mr. Richard Clayton 6
anxiety will you not ravor him with
reply at your earliest possible convent
ence. Very truly yours,
CLAYTON & SON.
Per Richard.
P. S.-My regards to your esteemed
mother. X. \.
At 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 stlft
little nod passed along.
The next day was Sunday, and it was
close to noon when ring at the Dell
drew him to the door. A small boy
stood there, small boy who thrust j
little envelope into his hand and van
ished.
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 re-
commentator 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 condensed to these words
Il have received a better offer.
Il ha