The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-01-29

! What q narrow set these people In
small towns were! Here was train
stalled in their midst bearing men OF
millions, women who had travelled al
home and abroad, interests that might
affect The world OF trade, and they did
not Stop so much as TO inquire into the
trouble. They were so small, so mar
row, so self absorbed!
AT last the train moved with great
heaving strain on wheels and springs.
! Margaret gave one more glance at the
church. The lights were ablaZe, and
the young man was standing in front
of the congregation, book in his hand.
The girl was at the organ.
Margaret leaned back and closed her
eyes. She saw another church, another
man-and herself. Then she turned her
! thoughts resolutcly into other chan
nels. She glanced down at her bag.
She knew the papers in that bag meant
insurance policies for thousands, all
written by herself. She had stepped in
where other agents feared to tread and
had secured business. She was going
back to New York and the approval Of
her supcriors She would be glad to
tshut herself III her private Office and
take up her accumulated correspond
cncc. She must have new cabinet or
dcrcd for that empty corner of her Of
flee. The papers to be filed in her de-
partmcnt were increasing.
She gave her number to the cabman
and was whisked off into the glare Of
Broadway's lights. BY and by they
turned into quiet side street. She
mounted the steps leading to dim
brownstone apartment house, shook out
her keys and hurried to her room.
There were no matches, and she rang
the bell impaticntly. The maid apollo
gi3.d and brought in clean towels.
We weren't expecting you till to-
morrow. Miss Ashton" she remarked.
with Il furtive ilirt of her towel across
the dusty table.
Margaret lighted every gas jet in the
room and in the dressing room adjoin-
ing, 10 say nothing of the gas log in the
CRATE. but still the room scc'A'd dank
and dull. She wished tIiai~rt were
morning and she might bury herself in
office work.
The maid returned with package
which had arrived in MargarCts alb
scnce. and the latter inuuircd:
rs Miss Harding in this evening?
If she is, wish YOU would ask her TO
come in and have Il cup of tea with
me"
Miss Harding, had the room at the
end of tie hall.
The maid paused in tho doorway
and looked in in startled fashion.
"Why, didn't you know? Miss Hard
ing died while you were gone"
Died"
Eyes; pneumonia; awful sudden too.
None OF her folks was here. They live
way up state somewhere, and the un-
dertaker shipped the body"
Margaret sat staring at the even
flame of the gas log. None of her
folks was here; they slapped
The life had died ont of the great
city and the clock struck when Mar
garet Ashton laid down her pen. She
bent low to kiss the letter as she sealed
it, and again there came to her the vi
sion of the man and the girl walking
up the narrow, tagged pathway to the
church.
Ten days later man who wore gold
glasses and looked at her above them
called her into his private Office. She
had only been in that office twice be-
fore, and they had been rcd letter
events in her business career.
Miss Ashton, we have been going
over the results of that last trip you
made. They are remarkable for wo-
man. And we have decided to make
you superintendent. of the Troy Of
fees"
lie paused for an expression of sur
prise or appreciation. Miss Ashton
was studying the carpet. The great
man coughcd.
"IOur salary, of course
"Thank you," she said, still without
looking up "but | have acceptcd-an-
other position"
The great man fairly jumped.
But, my dear young woman, you
should consider
81 have considered. and this is for
life"
This time she looked up, straight in
to the eyes of the great man. Some