The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-26
PROBLEM OF THE WOMAN
&C = Christmas Story IN BUSINESS 1z Anne warner
(Book Rights Reserved. }

! it, still, I wish that it hadn't hap
pened so. But in business we cannot
always manage to suit ourselves.
She made no reply. She was putting
| fresh paper In the machine and clip
ping the copy to place. He turned
and left the room at once.
The next day at five they We're
neither Of them anywhere near done.
Daubeny remained at his desk until
six and then he went into the next
room.
I'm afraid you'll have to make an
evening of it," he said, half apologet-
ically, and all, resretfully-.'thi must
get off on the midnight mail, you
know. If I'd half guessed what a lot
of it there was I'd have had one of
knew their names or where to get
hold of one of them I'd send a mes
| senger boy now, but I don't know a
thing-Clifford sees to all that"
She did not speak or even raise
her eyes.
feeling brutal, we have sort of fam
lily reunion dinner every Christmas
and must be there. I'd rather stay
here. I'd much rather stay here and
work, but my mother wouldn't stand it
for minute. However, I'll tell you
| what 1 will do; I'll come back here
between 10 and II and take this to the
mail and then I'll send you home in
the carriage. You couldn't go home
alone tonight anyway. You know
what the street are on a holiday
n.Jht!'
Then she looked up and altho her
face was smileless there was nothing
unpleasant in the glance which she
gave him.
THANK you, sir" she said, quietly
and the machine began to click.
I'm honestly awfully sorry" he
said. pausing by the door as he turned
to go; then something very nearly
choked him as he saw that there was
! a cushion under her feet which did not
anywhere near reach the floor. There
was something mighty pathetic about
the necessity Of the cushion, and he
didn't just see why either.
It's all right" she said cheerfully
from behind her green shade, and he
left her. went down in the elevator,
called cab, and went home, cursing
himself because there was no possible
way to blame it all on Clifford.
He dressed hastily and was only
quarter of an hour late to the dinner.
The delay was forgiven him as every
thing Is forgiven big, blonde and sue
cessful men, but the festive occasion
received no special access of hilarity
from him, because his mind never left
his offices for two consecutive sec
onds and he wished violently that it
was he who was there at work and
that that little bit of a thing in black
was somewhere. anywhere, else.
At 10 he got up suddenly and de-
clared that he must go. There was
a perfect outburst of rebellion from
the assembled company because 10 is
really very early.
| But he went.
Went straight dow ntown as fast as
convenient tram could electrify itself
and him along.
The big business block was almost
deserted. Lights twinkled in but a
few of the multitudinous windows and
only one OF the many elevators was
running. That one took Daubeny
quickly up to where his latch key was
an open sesame, and entering, and
passing hastily thru his own office, he
came into the room beyond. :.
She was standing by the window,
Whlch was little open. and had on
her hat and Jacket already to go. The
typewriter was covered and a great
pile of addressed and stamped en-
} velopes lay beside it. She faced about
as he came in, but he went at once to
the mail and ran his eyes over the
number, counting.
. Seventy three he said,-"I
thought that gave you seventy-fve 2"
She turned to the shelf and taking
down the papers, handed them to him
in silence.
He counted them rapidly
Both wrong he aid,-"there are
seventy-four here; you've skipped
one"
She threw her hand up to her head
50 quickly. that his eyes followed it
mechanically, but she only adjusted
a hairpin and waited.
; Just read the addresses he said.
picking up a pencil, I'VE must know
which it is Of course. before the rest
are mailed. AS you read I'll check
She began to gather up the en-
velops and then she suddenly held
them out to him
Let me check please she said,
f'you read
Her voice had an odd sound.
He took the envelops and read while
she checked quickly. The fifty-sev-
, enth was wanting.
Daubeny knit his brows.
! It's important, too," he murmured.
! She began at once to pull off her
gloves: then she lifted the cover from
the machine and put some paper In
1t. But just as her fingers were ready
to fall on the keys she stopped. rose
abruptly from her seat, and took up
her gloves again.
'It will have to wait until to-mor-
, row." she said. and there was curious
echo in her tone.
Daubeny looked at her very quickly
What is it?' he asked anXiously.
, whats the matter?'
: She was moving towards the door,
, he followed her.
, Are you ILL.,"
| She had her hand upon the knob
No. sir" she said, looking up
5 straight into his eyes, "but I have a
baby and by baby is i'll. She was
} taken sick on Monday and no one can
put her to sleep at night but me-and
: tonight. Of course, T haven't come
I'm very sorry to fail you, but if it
wrecks all the business in New York
l tomorrow I'm going home just the
same tonight"
With that she opened the door,
: Daubeny went out with her.
"Good heavens!" he stammered. IT
' didn't know you had a baby! Why
Y didn't you tell me that you had a
, baby? Why didn't you tell me that
t it was i'll 9? Why-''
They paused by the elevator and he
I pressed an inf1nity of tumultuous feel
: ings into the ivory receiver.
"Mr. Clifford told me of your objec-
l tion to women employees she inter-
I rupted quietly, "and promised not to
I be inconsiderate. 1 did need work SO
: much-but I never thought of the
/. baby being ill"
: She ceased speaking abruptly.
On Clifford Daubeny exclaimed
violently; then he apologized. sPar-
2 don me, please, but I get so awfully
-