La Junta tribune., 1907-06-22
beIonss-in the mail order depar,

DeiouSs-iu tue HiAJi ofUer depart
meut.'
And that was how Marian Macrea
walked out OF the Barnes Bros store
with job In her pocket anu an odd
little smile playing around her lips.
Three months passed. Burnside was
no longer worried about the conduct
o. the complaint department. In fact.
he argued that the reason he dropped
in to talk complaints over with its pre-
siding head was merely as a relief
after other worries. II was Il pleasure
To- see department run 50 smoothly.
And all over the big store the same
atmosphere was beginning To asses;
itself There were weekly talks to the
women clerks. at which reports from
doorwalkers and complaining custom
ers were offered: little lectures on the
smoothing out OF fnngles apa the ad-
justment Of differences were given
The sales girls took new view Of
selling goods and handling customers.
and none knew that these talks were
all planned out In charming little up
town apartment. where the suJ'erfn
fendent and the head OF the complaint
department gravely discussed store
problems while the invalid mother for
got her own pains In listening to the
new interests. OF her daughter.
Then came the great day when
James Barnes. Sr.. returned from his
trip around the world. Richard Burn
side had no need to give account OF
his stewardship. Others had done so In
letters that encircled the globe. and go
one bright spring morning the head OF
the house sat In his superintendent
office saving the sort OF things that
warm an employees heart when there
came tap at the door. and girl with
soft brown hair and eyes entered the
Office. her hands filed with report
slips.
"Afr. Barnes. ! want you to know
Miss Nacrea. the very capable
But Mr.. Barnes. quite apoplectic. was
sparrIng for wind.
Marian. what in the world II you
wanted something to do. why didn't
YOU go In for settlement work."
Richarl Burnside felt the little Office
spinning around as Marian crossed the
room and patted the apoplectic fore
head soothingiy with her slender white
hand
Dear Uncle Jimmy, do not have
stroke. With the head OF the firm
globe irotting and everything mother
and had In the world in this store.
felt ] had Il right 10 come in here and
see that our small investment was
safe You couldn't expect Jimmy or
Howard TO do it when one has new
motor and the other n new yacht"
Ten minutes later Marian laid her
reports on Furnishes desk and turned
to leave. He held the door open for
her. and as she dung him CHEEKY
smile she stopped suddenly. His face
looked old. His eyes We're heavy, rs If
they had watched something very love
ly ana dear pass out of his life She
paused irresoluteiy and glanced over
her shoulder Mr.. Barnes, Sr., was
just passing through she opposite door.
tway into tile NAH order department
'You viii be up tonight. as usual:
want To talk over the question of
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.
''CertaIniy. II you wish IT,"
''Df course | wish it, She tried to
speak gayly, but her voice trembled.
Don't you understand: want ev-
erythiug to 20 on Just as it has before.
oh. why do you make 1t So hard for
me- His face was still stern, but
she persisted. II want you 10 tell
me what-what would not let you
say the other night-becausc now
know 1, was all for myself-don't you
understand"
She passed out Ike fash and drew
the door shut behind her Richard
Burnside leaned heavily against II.
breathing hard. but the light of youth
had come back 10 his eyes.