Amador ledger., 1906-04-27
HELD BY THE
GOVERN MENT
BY Ofbo B. .Senga
Copyright, 1906, by E. C. PARCELS

enough to lose Havens, who was the
best stenographer he ever had, but
when he finally secured another who
could do satisfactory work, to have Eu-
genia object because the girl was
young and pretty was enough to make
a man lose all patience.
He strove to appease his fiancees
wrath by pointing out how inferior in
beauty and grace the new stenographer
appeared to him in comparison with
herself. He tried to appeal to her rea-
son, her pride, for faith in him, but to
little purpose.
you need not trouble to call again
or to communicate with me until you
have discharged that girl" was the
ultimatum, and Pearson went away,
angry and indignant, matchmaking
all women and their silly, unreasonable
jealousy.
Miss Anthony was not often unrea-
sonable and had had little occasion for
Jealousy. She hardly could have ex-
planned it herself, but her annoyance
ward her lover had begun when she
had asked the name of the new en-
ployee and John had replied, "Anna
Darling"
The tiny flames had been famed and
increased by every word of praise for
Miss Darling that the unconscious
Pearson had stupidity uttered until she
could bear it no longer She magnified
his satisfaction with the girls work
into love for the girl herself, and she
felt for the moment quite justified in
demanding her discharge.
But with the next days light Miss
Anthony's good sense and love of fail
play reasserted itself. How silly l
was" she thought.
She resolved to send him a little note
or telephone message, but decided to
wait until evening. He was to take her
to the opera, and on the way she would
confess her unreasonableness.
The evening passed, and no John and
no message to explain his absence. Ten
o'clock, 1920! ''I won't be foolish" sh:
thought firmly. I'll call him up by
phone and tell him 1 want to say good
night"
She had often done this when it had
not been possible for John to come to
her. She smiled happily as she rang the
bell and called for the Pearson resi-
dence. John lived with his brother, and
she knew the family had gone away.
She recognized the housekeeper's voice
in reply to her call, but her face fell at
the message. Mr.. John had not been
home, and Mrs. Barnes could get no re-
ply to frequent calls over the phone to
the office.
The next morning Miss Anthony
called Mrs. Barnes again, with similar
results. MI John did not come home,
and there was evidently no one at his
office.
Miss Anthony was essentially a wo-
man of action She dressed herself in a
most becoming street costume and a
half hour later was entering the great
Office building on Congress street. Pear
sons Office was closed, the door locked.
''He wasn't there all day yesterday"
volunteered the elevator boy.
But surely some one was" insisted
Miss Anthony. 1.-The young LADY,
''She came in the morning, but went
away again Immediately" he answered.
Miss Anthony was quick to resolve
and equally quick to execute. She con-
suited the directory and took a car for
Arlington. At the door of a neat little
cottage she paused. Yes, there was the
name, Darling, on the doorplate. What
could she say to the girl even if she
found her? Did she really expect to be-
lieve that she and John Then she lift
ed her head proudly. Was she going to
be silly again? Something had happen
ed to John, and Miss Darling might be
able to aid her in learning what it was.
When Miss Darling entered the room
Miss Anthony hardly could restrain the
impulse to take her in her arms, such
a pretty, timid looking little thing
hardly more than a child. Her eyes
were visibly red with weeping, and
when Miss Anthony asked her if she
had been at work the day before her
face colored painfully.
Miss Anthony explained enough of
the situation for Miss Darling to un-
derstand the reason for her visit, and
then Miss Darling told her own story
hurriedly.
Il have been with Mr.. Pearson nearly
a month and supposed my work was
entirely satisfactory. 1 went to work
yesterday morning as usual, but 1 had
hardly entered the office when the tele-
phone bell rang. On answering it l
found it was Mr.. Pearson speaking. He
said that he should require my services
no longer and would mail me a check
for two months salary"
She paused, choking back sob. Miss
Anthony blushed with shame and re-
gret
81 left the Office Immediately, OF
course. 1 cannot understand it, for
was at work Oh some papers that Mr.
Pearson was very anxious to have fin
ished this weell-work that another
stenOgrapher could not well take up
And"-she hesitated-"as yet 1 have
not received the check"
Miss Anthony spoke rapidly and witt
decision. Miss Darling, 1 am con
vinced that there is some mistake.
know Mr.. Pearson was satisfied with
your work"
DO you think" asked Miss Darling
eagerly, that it was not Mr.. Pearson
that it was a hoaX?"
81 hardly know what to think" re
turned Miss Anthony evasively, 'but
am so sure that Mr.. Pearson is pleased
with your work and wishes to retaiI
L., L 1.