Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-07-10

,elongs-in the mail order depart.
nent."
AMI that was how Marian Macrea
walked out OF the Barnes Bros store
with job In her pocket and an odd
little smile playing around her lips.
Three months passed. Burnside was
no longer worried about the conduct
0. the complaint department. In fact.
he argued that the reason he dropped
in 10 talk complaints over with its pre-
siding head was merely as relief
after other worries. IL was a pleasure
70 see department run so smoothly.
And all over the big store the same
atmosphere was beginning to assert
itself. There were weekly talks 10 the
women clerks. at which reports from
foorwaikers ard complaining custom
ers were offered: little lectures on the
smoothing out of tangles and the ad-
justment of differences were given
The sales girls took a 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 superin-
tens,ent and the head OF the complaint
department cravely 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 so
one bright spring morning the head OF
the house sat in his superintendent
office saying 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
Sins
Mr.. Barnes / want you to know
Miss Macrea, 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."
Richard Burnside felt the little Office
spinning around as Marian crossed the
room and patted the apoplectic fore
head soothingly with her slender white
hand.
Dear Uncle Jimmy. do not have
stroke. With the head OF the firm
globe trotting and everything mother
and had In the world In this store.
felt had a right to come In here and
see that our small investment was
safe. You couldn't expect Jimmy or
Howard to do II when one has a new
motor and the other a new yacht"
Ten minutes later Marian laid her
reports on Burnside's desk and turned
to leave. He held the door open for
her and as she flung him a CHEEKY
smile she stopped suddenly. His face
looked old. His eyes were heavy, as II
they had watched something very love-
~ and dear pass out of his life She
paused irresolutely and glanced over
her shoulder. Mr.. Barnes. ST.. was
just passing through the opposite door
way into the mail order department.
You will be up tonight. as usual? l
want TO talk over the question of
new rest room for the girls"
Richard Burnside's face went
shade paler. and he spoke in a voice
he had never used to her before.
Certainly. If you wish it,
"0f course l wish it, She tried to
speak gayly, but her voice trembled
Don't you understand: I want ev-
erything to go on just as it has before.
oh, why do you make II so hard for
me?" His face was still stern, but
she persisted. IL want you to tell
me-what-what I would not let you
say the other night-because now
know it was all for myself-don't you
understand"
She passed out like fash and drew
the door shut behind her Richard
Burnside leaned heavily against it.
breathing hard. but the light Of youth
had come back to his eyes.