The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-05-12

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sister, who was stenog-apher in
an editorial Office downtown. She
was clever little hing. whom Moral.
nad brought from Ireland, and who
Aal been graduated from the n.su
school year before, ana had since
! been supporting herself
Moran" Leslie said, you are more
worried about De lias job than about
her life You surprise me-"
Sure, the most OF them lives
through operations now. Miss Leslie,
and it's the quality that has them
done every day; but job like Della $
Is hard to get, and Inc place cant
be kept for her. The only way would
be ii she could get substitute But
substitutes are likely to hold on to
good places themselves
We'll, Norah, don't fret. I'll think
what can be done
| And Norah went TO her little room
| cOmforted Miss Leslie had way
| of comforting people, and Norah felt
as if her load was shared especially
when Leslie looked after her with
CHEEKY wave of the hand and a
bright smile
the next day Leslie put on her
| plaicest black gown. with severe
| linen collar and cuffs, and looked
over her hats to see which was the
simplest. AS soon as breakfast was
over she called Norah.
I'm going to the Office Of the La
dies Friend" she said, TO see about
Delia's substitute"
She did not return until six O'clock
Then she called Norah.
Il have a dinner engagement" she
said and Il shall want the carriage
at quarter past seven
Norah lowered about, laying out
the dainty garments for Miss Les
lies toilet She did not ask the ques-
ton that was trembling on her lips,
but her pleading eyes We're fixed on
Leslie's face. Presently Leslie looked
up, smiling.
You must brush that serge dress
well. Norah, and see that | have
clean collar and cuffs ready for TO-
morrow, and. Norah. bring my break
fast to my room. | have 10 leave
home at eight O'Clock You see,
Noran, | couldn't arrange very we'll
to find the right substitute for Della
she's so claar-headed and def that |
just anybody wouldn't be accepted
so | thought the best thing | could |
do was TO substitute for her myself |
| had no trouble. l said | was a
friend of Delia's and competent. and |
| asked the editor to try ME for a
week. l didn't know office work took
so much out of a body. NOrah. It's
harder than examining at college. but
it's interesting. too"
You don't mean it. Miss Leslie.
You can't mean it. What would
Mr.. Sherman say if ne knew"
My father? | don't think he'd
mind it, Norah. He'd like me to
know the practical side But he'd
tell me l couldn't work all day long
and so to dinners and dances after
ward. I've always wondered az the
settlement how girls could endure
working all day and having fun, as
they call it. in the evening. | shall
know better how to talk to them after
this
Norah was sobbing by this time
Miss Leslie Sherman. a young wo-
man with everything earth had to
give, substituting for Della Conway
in an Office! 1t disturbed Norahs
sense of the fitness of things AID
hurt her more than it pleased her.
Leslie cut short her sobs with a firm
tone that was like sharp command
to refractory child
Stop crying at once, Norah. and
fasten my gown. Understand that
wish to do this, and that you are
not to cry about it. l am going to
be Virginia Leslie at the Office till i
Della gets well, and all you have to
10 is to keep my secret here"
Miss Sherman, may / present Mr.
" said the hostess of the
evening a little later. Mr.. Will |
oughby will take you in to dinner,
ny dear"
Mr.. Willoughby was a tall. thin. {
,lea1-shaven man. with a somewhat |
acrimonious manner, and very near
sighted eyes, which were aided by {
'pectacles. y
Leslie had her hand lightly on
lis arm as they walked into dinner.
Her spirits were giily effervescent Z
tut her manner was demure. She {
rad been taking dictation from Mr.. I
Roger Willoughby all that day.
Several of the women present vera Il
Interested in settlement work, and n
we're engaged in preparations for a I