The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-02

he argued that the reason he dropped
in to talk complaints over with it's pre-
siding head was merely as nlief after
other worries. 1t was a pleasne to see
department run so smoothly. And ali
over the big store, the same atmotphere
was beginning to assert itself. vhere
were weekly talks to the women cerks
at which reports from floor walkers md
complaining customers were Offerd,
little lectures on the smoothing out e
tangles, and the adjustment of differ
ences were given. The sales girls took
new view of selling goods and hand
ling customers-and none knew that
these talks were all planned out in
charming little uptown apartment,
where the superintendent and the head
of the complaint department gravely
discussed store problems while the in
valid mother forgot her own pains in
listening to the new interests of her
daughter.
Then came the great day when
James Barnes. senior, 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 encircled the globe,
and so one bright spring morning, the
head of the house sat in his superin-
tendent's office, saying the sort of
things that warm an employees heart,
when there came a tap at the door
and girl with soft brown hair and
eyes entered the ONCE, her handS
filled with report slips.
"Mr. Barnes, 1 want you to know
Miss Macrea. the very capable
But Mr.. Barnes, quite apoplectic,
was sparring for wind.
"Marian-what in the world-if
you wanted something to do, why
didn't you go in for settlement
work"
Richard Burnside felt the little Of
fee spinning around, as Marian cross
Cd h 4 - -I1A1r
forehead soothingly with her slender
white hand.
Dear Uncle Jimmy, do not have a
stroke. With the head of the firm
globe trotting, and everything mother
and had in the world in this store,
felt I had right to come in here and
see that our small investment was
safe. You couldn't expect Jimmy or
Howard to do it 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 CHEEKY
smile. she stopped suddenly. His face
if they had watched something very
lovely and dear pass out of his life.
She paused irresolutely, and glanced
over her shoulder. Mr.. Barnes, senior
doorway into the mail-order depart
ment.'
You will be up tonight as usual?
want to talk over the question of a
new rest room for girls"
Richard Burnside's face went a
shade Daler and he spoke in a voice he
had never used to her before.
'Certainly--if you wish it,
''Of course I wish it, She tried to
speak gaily, but her voice trembled
Don't you understand? 1 want every
thing to go on just as it has before.
Oh, why do you make it SO hard for
me- His face was still stern but she
persisted. tt 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 un.
derstand ?"
She passed out like a flash, and
drew the door shut behind her. Rich
ard Burnside leaned heavily against it, 1
breathing hard, but the light of youth
had come back to his eyes.-(Copy-
right, 1907, by c. H. Sutcliffe.)