The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-30

have been wanting a position OF some
sort / believe 1 would know whether
woman had n just complaint or was try
ing to cheat the firm. and I have always
been complimented on my tact. ] know
have patience. because have been COM
panion to an invalid for several years. If
you would consider the proposition, I can
furnish references-
II don't give a fig for references.
You're engaged. Can you begin Mon
day? I'll put that girl back where she
belongs-in the mail order department
And that was how Marian Macrea
walked out OF the Barnes Brothers store
with job in her pocket and an odd little
smile played around her lips.
Three months passed. Burnside was
no longer worried about the conduct Of
the complaint department In fact. he
argued that the reason he dropped IN 10
talk complaints over with its presiding
head was merely as a relief after other
worries. IL was a pleasure to see a de-
partment run so smoothly. And all over
the big store the same atmosphere was
beginning 10 assert itself. There were
weekly talks to the women clerks, at
which reports from floor walkers and
complaining customers were offered lit
tangles. and the adjustment or differences
were given. The salesgirls took a new
view Of selling goods and handling Gus
tomeTs-and none knew that these talks
were all planned out in a charming little
uptown apartment, where the suDerin-
tendent and the head of the complafnt
department gravely discussed store prob
lens, while the invalid mother forgot her
own pains In listening 10 the new inter
ests of her daughter.
Then came the great day, when James
Barnes. ST., returned from his trip around
the world. Richard Burnside had no
need TO give account OF his stewardship
Others had done so in letters that en-
circled the globe. and so one bright
morning the head OF the house sat In
his superintendent Office. saving the
sort OF things that warm an EMPLOYEES
heart, when there came a tap al the
door, and girl with soft brown hair
and eyes entered the Office. her hands
filled with report slips
Mr. Barnes. want YOU to know Miss
Macrea, the very capable"
But Mr.. Barnes, quite apopletic was
sparring for wind
'Marian-what in the world-if Won
wanted something TO DO. why didn't Won
go IN Tor settlement work"
Richard Burnside felt the little office
spinning around as Marian crossed the
room ana patted the apopletic forehead
soothingly with her slender white hand
Dear Uncle Jimmy. do not have =
stroke. With the head OF the Arm s-loh.,
trotting. and everything mother and
had IN the world in this store. I felt 7 has
nght 10 come in here and see that our
small investment was safe. You coulan.t
expect Jimmy or Howard 10 do II when
one has new motor and the other a new
yacht" ne"
Ten minutes later Marain laid her re-
ports on Burnside's desk and turned to
leave. He held the door open for her and
she hung him CHEEKY smile, and STONED
suddenly. His face looked Old His evas
were heavy, as IL they had watched some
thing very lovely and dear pass out of
his life. She paused irresolutelv and
glanced over her shoulder Mr.. Barnes
senior, was just passing through the OBJ
poslte doorway into the mail order de-
Partment.
You viii be up tonight as usual I
want 10 tax over the question OF a new
rest room for the girls"
Richard Burnside's face went a shade
paler and he spoke in voice he had
never used to her before.
Certalnly-if you wish it.
OF course I wish it." She tried TO
speak gayly. but her voice trembled
Don't you understand? / want every
lnihg 70 60 on Just as il has before. Oh.
why DO you make it so hard for me-" His
race was still stern, but she persisted.
II want YOU TO tell me-what-wbat
would not let you say the other night
because now I know it was all for my
self-don't YOU understand
she passed out like fash and drew
the door shut behind her. Richard
Burnside leaned heavily against If
breathing hard but the light of youth
had come back TO his eyes.
Copyright. 1901 br G Il Srici,ia,i