Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-02-05
PATTY'S
BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE
,,.,,n Copyright, 1901,
ny HlaSD BY a. 8.
HUMPHREYS Richardson.


els It as bad es THAR asked Mrs.
Constance Wilson in dismay.
Every bit as bad" responded Patty,
with a brave attempt at cheerfulncss.
"when 1t is all over, l VIII have per-
haps $500 and the furniture"
Dear me-" tho=ght Mrs. Wilson.
aand every one thought Mr.. Norris was
such tine business man" But she did
not express the thought She knew the
girls loyalty to her dead father.
Patty" she finally exclaimed In ui-
umph, s-there are the Van Alien girls
going abroad Their father is widow
er. He wants companion for them.
You know the continent like a guide
book. and you'd be useful They're new
to this sort OF thing. you know"
Patricia Norris drew herself up very
straight.
connie. don't suggest impossible
things. positively refuse to take po-
sition that savors OF charity. I'm going
straight into the business world and
work-reaily work"
Mrs. Wilson affected cheerful &C
quiescence which she did not feel.
"fm going home now, my dear. and
think this over. You'll hear from me
tomorrow. And of course you'll sue
ceed, whatever you undertake"
Mrs. Wilson had been Patty's gov
erness In the days when such a thing
as financial uncertainty seemed far re-
moved from the Norris mansion. Now
she was manuscript reader for big
publishing concern. When she reached
her dlmly lighted bedroom, third story.
back. In noisy boarding house. she
drew forth small handbook and stud
led It carefully. AS result OF long re-
fectlon she dispatched the following
note TO Patty:
My Dear Ggri-Before we do anything
else we must ind home. am sick unto
death OF boarding. Shall we have little
fat together. O cunning apartment. with
what you want OF your dear old things as
farnishingsg Then wen ind you the poss-
ton But first home-for your sake and
mine Save me from the fate OF hall
bedroom. my dear. II Is tho chance ]
have dreamed OF for years.
Three weeks later Mrs. Wilson
caught Patty frowning at her across a
dinner table that was homelike and
dainty.
Connie. there's absolutely nothing
left for ne to do. The tins are hung
straight in the kitchen, and I've tried
the bricy-bracy In every conceivable po-
sltion. I'm not TO be put or any Ion
ger. | want Job"
There was mirth in the tone, but II
rang false. Job" from the lips OF Pa
tricla Norris! Nevertheless that same
evening they faced the situation to-
gether. Mrs. Wilson had seen this com
ing and was prepared.
There is absolutely nothing open In
our Offices. as had hoped. Patty, and
the only schools where | would have
influence are supplied with teachers
that never marry or die" She survey
ed the girl through veil of unshed
tears. you've a regular Gibson figure.
dear. and such lovely fluffy hair She
broke of diseonneetedly. Patty laugh
ed.
Connie. DO stick TO the text. Shall
go forth as an artists modelT
Mrs. Wilson clasped her hands tight
ly.
"Not exactly that, but heard OF
something today. Patty, that you could
do-so we'll"
"Name it," responded Patty, but with
an odd sinking sensation In her heart.
"At Schermerhorn's they want-a-a
model TO show of their imported suits,
and you're the very oh. Patty, don't
look at me like that-Pve tried so hard
to get something betterr
In a second the girls soft arms were
round Der neck.
Connie. behave yourself! OF course
l shall take 1t and be properly CRATE
full. How much!"
"0nly $3.50 a week. but you
wouldn't have got that much. only that
told the head of the department
what IA beauty you were"
"Flattererr answered Patty. with q
laugh that sounded more like sob.
So did Patricia Norris make her entry
into the business world. 1t was not
hard work. and she never wearied of
handling the beautiful wraps and
frocks. Her statuesque beauty set
them Off to perfection. and the bead of
the department approved of her be-
cause she never got gay" nor wasted
the time OF other employees by chat
ting with them, as her predecessor
had done In fact. she held herself
aloof from the other girls In the shop.
1t was an odd. unreasoning pride that
they could not understand II the girls
who thought her proud had known bow
she envied them. they might have felt
differently. They worked with their
hands. and she--just posed IL was not
brain that earned her salary. but a
mere baubie OF physical perfection.