Smyrna times., 1903-08-05

men marry and go right on with vou,
PROFESSIONS or your business MARRIAGE
does not put an end to these tbinns for
you. Why should it for us womeny,
Because when the cursed profession
al mcrobe gets into woman's svs.
TEN 1t makes her impatient of domas-
tlc life. a man can keep his business
ana his home life distinct-a woman
never can. Myra, this is the crisis of
our love. viii it be my love or your
prideY'
A deep flush covered her face. then
dled away, leaving her very pale.
Neither Arthur. 1t is merely fulfill
ing the last wish of my father"
Arthur gathered up his hat and
gloves. She stood proudly erect and
spoke calmly.
trust you will continue to be our
legal adviser, as you were father's?"
certainly he answered courteouslv
and was gone.
The weeks rolled into months. the
months into a year The business of
the Nathan Dexter Milling company
had never been so prosperous. The
model cottages for employees had been
bullt. When other mills in the vicinity
had been handicapped by strikes My
ras orders had been filled with dis
patch. The Boston papers had publish
ed her picture and an enterprising
newspaper woman from New York had
interviewed her on THE Woman In
Business"
But all this had not been accomplish
cd without cost. Myra had no social
pleasures. She spent ten hours a day
at the mills, and John Carson. her su-
perintendent, was a frequent visitor at
her home after dinner. The gray hair
ed boss" and the brown haired mis-
tress of the Nathan Dexter mills held
many anxious conferences in the lamp
lit library. The Dexters took cottage
by the sea for the hot weather. but
Myra spent only an occasional Sunday
with them.
And Arthur? Not once had he re-
! ferred to their old time relations. Al
ways attentive to his duties as their
adviser, always appreciative of an
evening at home in her society, he re-
! Trained from pushing his suit At first
Myra missed his small loverike atten-
tiOns. Then she became so absorbed
that she regarded him only as a helpful
factor in the success of her business
ventures, for his advice was always
sound
So at last the holidays came. and the
world made merry. Myra distributed
Christmas gifts to her employees, but
let her sisters buy all her presents fol
family and friends. The girls brought
college friends home. and the festivi
ties annoyed Myra.
She was thinking of this, with 9
frown between her clearly arched
brows, when her mother came into the
library. Mrs. Dexter paused in the
doorway.
Il hope l am not bothering you
Myra. but l am so lonesome. The
girls are out and r. and the hOus'
seems so big. l am glad you are do
ing so we'll with the business, daugh
ter, but IL miss you so. Since you
fathers death l am so much alone"
Myra pushed aside Il paper covered
with figures and took her mothers
hand in hers sudden thought flash
ed through her mind and cut her heart
In her devotion to the dead had sh'
overlooked her duty to the living? FO
some moments she sat with her arm
encircling her mothers slender frame
Then they talked. and all the mOthe
love poured itself out in Mrs. Dexter
involved sentences. Not of herself dit
she speak, but of Myra and Arthur
patient Arthur.
The next day Myra wrote to Arthur
who was in Boston on business:
Dearest Arthur-New Years, the
say is the day for good resolutions.
have just made One-at least l hop
you will think it is a good one, l an
turning over the active business man
agement of the mills to John Carson
Will you come home as soon as posi-
BILE and draw up the partnership pa
pers? l need you. Faithfully,
"MYRA.
"P. S.-The firm name stands as o
old, Nathan Dexter Milling company
Isn't John Carson a dear old fellowY'
And Arthur wired back:
Happy New Year. Leave tOnigh
God bless John CarsOn-and my My
rap'