The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-10-18

head on inc table, and had o goct
cry.
''Oh dear" she said TO herself. :"
know I'll have to pound that horrit
old typewriter all my life, or marry
some mar | don't wan and who
never, never. win earn enough for me
to even have white shirt waists"
just then the telephone rang and
some one inquired II Helen would care
to 80 10 the tbeater that n ght. Helen
snapped him up with Il can't. ! have
to work" The voice replied that Mr..
Clayton would not know what to do
without her, and Helen banged up the
receiver.
He wouldn't know what to do with
me- she said between her teeth.
Wouldn't know what to do without
me" In scorn. Then she began 10
think, and the longer she thought the
more tender grew her smile. She took
the top off the typewriter, wrote a let.
ter. laid il on hir. Clayton's desk, and
went home.
Helen had been working two hours
next day when Mr.. Clayton entered
his private Office. after II pleasant
Good morning, Miss Leonard and
a bow TO the office boy. A moment
later he called her, and she found him
seated at his desk with her letter in
his hand,
What does this mean, Miss Leon.
ard?' he inquired. Here it is Tues.
day, and YOU say you are going to
leave the firm Saturday. and will not
give the reason"
Yes, Mr., Clayton said Helen mod.
estly, her gray eyes sorrowfully fixed
on his face.
but You must give nj. the reason
Are you going to be married."
mo, It's not that. It's something
else, It's hero, you know-oh, Mr..
Clayton, please don't ask me" she fal.
tered In evident distress.
Clayton took n few turns Of the
room, then inquired ii the hours were
too long, the pay too little? Helen
said no. and demurely looked down.
Had he done anything to offend her?
Oh, no, no, not he
Has Mr., Billings" began Clayton.
when Helen allowed two big tears to
roll down her soft cheek.
oh, Mr.. Clayton. / am so sorry il
you have noticed it too. | never in.
tended to tell you, but | wanted to get
away before he came back. | can't
stand it, she sobbed out.
by Jove! You don't mean he has
to make love to your" he burst
out, all his ~chivalry to the front.
Helen nodded.
i am so alone, you know. There
Is no one TO protect me. If ! had q
husband he would not dare. 1t will
hurt my reputation SO to leave this
way. People will say it was my fault.
But cant help it. | cant have a
married man making love to me- she
sobbing now. while you, II it
were you--" She broke off with a lit.
lie cry, and put her hands over her
ace in confusion, the perfect picture
beauty In distress.
Clayton stood still and looked at
her.
IF it were me?" he said. But Helen
sobbed.
Poor little unprotected thing, he
and Billings had dared to
make love to this child, while he had
lever thought of such n thing. He
ooked at her in her pretty helpless
less, and wondered why he hadn't.
IF it were me-" he said again, TAX
ng her hands from her face. Would
you have wanted to leave Just the
same? Or would you have let me be
'our protector. Stop crying. child,
and look ne in the face and tell me
he truth
Helen smiled at him from the
OF her heart, and what he read
N her face made him put his arms
around her and kiss her.
When Billings came back the fol.
Monday he found n new
'tcnographcr in Miss Leonard's place,
and Mr., Clayton announced his mar
'lage the Saturday previous to little
Il am willing to let bygones be by.
Billings" he said. sternly. "Eut
do not want any more lovcmaking."
Aud Billings, thinking he referred
% his past. said. cheerily; That's
right, old man; you're on the righ,