The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-30
AT THE COMPLAINT DESK.
BY KATE AUSTIN.

For the third time Marian Macrea rose
from the uncomfortable settee that faced
the complainant desk and approached the
young woman seated behind the wide
window. who was talking To the checker
of course, It gave her a good chance
70 let Us all know what nice white arms
She las, but my mother'd see me in my
grave before she'd let me go to bali In
any such costume as that"
''WM you kindly ascertain whether they
have found my parcel YETI" interrupted
Marian. tapping the desk lightly with the
tips OF her glOved fingers.
The young person flung her an impa-
tient look
What PARCEL"
THE one about which I inquired al
intervals for the past half hour"
What's your name and what's wrong
with the bundle?" inquired the girl in
bored tones.
You took my name twice and tele-
phoned the delivery department. and 1 am
waiting for their report. Why do you
not call them again and see whether the
parcel has been located?'
Say, do you think I want to get the
delivery boys down on me? If they find
H. they'll tell me quick enough
If" echoed Marian, her delicate face
flushing under the girls cool imperu-
nence.
Wen, III take your name and address
and drop you d postal when we find it,
Indeed you win not. / want it now,
said Marian, and she walked away from
the window, with head high and nostrlIs
quivering.
Wonder If she's going down into the
subcellar to get it?" giggled the young
person to the checker. 1T is funny how
some swells think they can come in here
and run this store. I guess she don't
know we've got Il system here"
Then while the girl continued her ac-
count Of the fancy dress ball. Marian
crossed TO the main aisle, found floor
walker and asked 10 be directed TO the
superintendent OF employees. Five min
Ites Iater she was ushered into the pres
ence Of a smooth-faced, square-shoul-
dered chap who looked as if he had re-
ceived his training on the football grid
iron rather than as stock boy in big
department store.
Richard Burnside had risen from the
lowest ranks in the store where he was
now superintendent. studying practical
business methods by day and physical Gull
ture and English branches at the Y n.
c. A. rooms by night
Now, he stood beside his desk. Marian
Macrae's card bent between his fingers
He looked the slender, graceful figure
over with the keen eye of a man accus-
toned to seeking good material for his
stan. and decided that she must be a re-
porter or magazine writer hunting infOr-
nation about the condition Of the working
girl He had met many sucn since ne be-
came superintendent
What can we do for you. Miss Mac
rae. I" he inquired. offering her seat.
Il merely called to ask you whether
your complaint department had been or
ganized for the convenience OF your Gus
toners or to browbeat them so effectu-
ally that they VIII endure almost any in
rather than make COM
plant %
Richard Burnside sat down rather sud
denly This was not just what he had ex-
pected.
Very deliberately, but convincingIy. Ma
rian told her story, from the indifference
Of the clerk who had first waited on her,
to the impeTtinence Of the young woman
az the complaint desk When she had
finished. Burnside leaned forward, his
hands clasped between his knees, his face
boyish no longer.
Miss Macrae. you have been treated
so have many OF our
eustomers-and I. the superintendent OF
this store, cannot find a remedy, because
[ cannot handle women employees. ] can
handle the boys in this line because I
know boys, but the Indifferent, the inso-
lent woman employee is beyond me"
He glanced up to meet Aarian's sympa-
thetlc glance. Impulsively he told her of
his humble beginning, the pride with
which he had accepted his new work, and
his many vexations and trials with IN
competent help.
i have had five girls at that COM
plant desk, each less satisfactory than
the one before her. If I could just find a
girl with judgment. discretion, and good
you can't expect to find
such a girl for SIC a week. can your
His big gray eyes were lifted to Ma
Cian's brown ones.
She laughed-a queer. chuckling little
laugh. that seemed to fairly bubble I'd
from her slender white throat.
DO you think / would iii the bill? I
would like to earn SO a week
You" gasped Burnside. his glance
travelling from her neat boots 10 her trim
tailored hat
Why yes. When 7 came IN here, /
never thought Of such q thing. though I