Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-08-06

nien marry and go right on with your
professions or your business. Marriage
does not put an end to these things for
you. Why should it for us womenY'
Because when the cursed profession
al microbe gets into a woman's sys-
TEN it makes her impatient of domes-
tic life. A man can keep his business
and his home life distinct-a woman
never can. Myra, this is the crisis of
our love. Will it be my love or your
pride?"
A deep flush covered her face. then
died 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.
II trust you will continue to be our
legal adviser, as you were father'sY
Certainly" he answered courteously
and was gone.
The weeks rolled into months, the
months into year. The business of
the Nathan Dexter Milling company
had never been so prosperous. The
model cottages for employees had been
built. When other mills in the vicinity
had been handicapped by strikes My
ra's orders had been filed with dis
patch The Boston papers had publish
ed her picture and an enterprising
newspaper woman from New York had
Interviewed her on 1.-The Woman In
Business
But all this had not been accomplish
ed without cost Myra had no social
pleasures. She spent ten hours day
at the mills, and John Carson, her su-
perfntendent, was a frequent visitor at
her home after dinner The gray hair
ed Sboss" and the brown haired mis-
treSS of the Nathan Dexter mills held
many anxious conferences tn 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 loverlike atten-
tons. Then she became so absorbed
that she regarded him only as 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 for
family and friends. The girls brought
college friends home, and the festivi-
ties annoyed Myra.
She was thinking Of this, with a
frown between her clearly arched
brows, when her mother came into TIE
library. Mrs. Dexter paused in the
doorway.
II hope am not bothering you,
Myra, but am so lonesome The
girls are out, and and the house
seems 50 big. l am glad you are do
ing so we'll with the business, daugh-
ter, but II miss you so. Since your
fathers death am so much alone"
Myra pushed aside paper covered
with figures and took her mothers
hand in hers. A sudden thought flash
ed through her mind and cut her heart.
In her devotion to the dead had she
overlooked her duty to the living? For
some moments she sat with her arms
encircling her mothers slender frame
Then they talked, and all the mother
love poured itself out In Mrs. Dexter's
involved sentences. Not Of herself did
she speak, but of Myra and Arthur
patient Arthur.
The next day Myra wrote to Arthur,
who was in Boston on business:
Dearest ArthuH-New Years, they
say, is the day for good resolutions.
have just made ona-at least l hope
you will think it is good one. am
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? need you. Faithfully,
"MYRA.
"P. S-The firm name stands as of
old, Nathan Dexter Milling company.
Isn't John Carson dear old fellow"
And Arthur wired back:
Happy New Year Leave tonight.
God bless John Carson-and my My