Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-28
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEux

+, wv
some dark and angry, and others smil-
Ing and happy At last her turn
came, and she walked into the small
office with the severe looking writing
table and the dark blue carpet.
The dark bearded man, by whose en-
terprise that big business had been
built up, turned in his chair and faced
her.
Miss Rolfe!' he exclaimed. "Ah!
yes,' and he referred to memoran-
dunn upon his desk. you were absent
! without leave last night, the house
Keeper reports. You are aware of rule
seventy-three-eh?
| "Most certainly. sir" was the
trembling girls reply, for this meant
to her all her future and more. It
meant Max's love. "But / think |
ought to explain that
| Il have no time, miss for explana-
tions. You know the rule. When you
were engaged here you signed it, and
| therefore | suppose you've read it. 1t
states as follows: ANY assistant alb
sent after eleven o'clock without pre-
vlously obtaining signed leave from
Mr.. Hemingway or myself will be
discharged on the following day. The
firm have, therefore, dispensed with
your service. AS regards character,
Miss Rolfe, please understand that the
firm is SILENT
But, Mr.. Cunnington," cried the
girl, Il was absent at the express re-
quest of Mr.. Statham. He wished to
see me-"
The head of the firm frowned slight.
| ly, answering:
Il have no desire to enter into the
reasons OF your absence. You could
easily have asked for leave. If Mr..
Statham had wished to see you, he
would nave sent me note, no doubt.
1t was at his request engaged you,
l recollect. Therefore, think that
the least said regarding last night the
better"
But Mr.. statham promised me he
would send You message this morn
ing" the girl declared In her dis
tress.
Parker has Mr.. Statham been on
the phone this morning?" asked Mr..
Cunnlngton of the young man seated
near him.
No, sir was the prompt reply.
But will you not ask him?" cried
the girl. HE promised me he would
communicate with you
Mr.. Cunnington hesitated for a mo.
ment. He reflected that the girl was
protege Of the millionaire. There
fore he gave Parker orders to ring up
the man whose millions controlled the
concern.
Marion waited in breathless anxious
ness. The secretary asked for Mr..
Statham, and spoke to him inquiring
If he knew anything of Miss Rolfe's
absence from the firms dormitory on
the previous night.
Mr.. Statham says, SIR said Parker
at last that he is too busy to be
troubled with the affairs of any of
Cunnington's shop-assistants.
The reply filled Mr.. Cunnington with
suspicion. 1t showed him plainly that
Statham had at least no further in
terest In the girl and that her dis
charge would be gratifying.
You hear the reply" he said to
her. THAT is enough And ne
scrubbed something upon a piece of
paper. Take it to the cashier, and
he will pay your wages up to date"
Then | am discharged" asked the
girl, crimsoping-"s out from your
establishment without character?"
by reason of your own action"
was the rough reply. 'sYou know thu
rules. Please leave. am far too
busy to argue
But Mr.. Statham wrote asking me
to call and see him. / have this let
ter here.'
Il have no desire or inclination to
enter into Mr.. Statham's affairs"
Cunnington replied "You are dis
charged for being absent at night
without leave. VIII you go, Miss
Rolfe?' he asked angrily.
"Mr. Cunnington," she said quite
quietly, you misiudge me entirely.
Mr.. Statham asked me to call upon
him in secret, because he desired me
to give him some private information.
He promised at the same time to send
you word, so that my absence should
not be mentioned You are a man
of honor. with daughters of your own"
she went on appealingly. Because I
refused to betray a friend of mine. a
woman, he has refused to stretch
forth hand to save me from the dis
grace of this discharge" and tears
welled in her fine eyes as she spoke.
ut is matter that does not con-
Germ me IN the ieaSt, MISS ROlfe, Mr..
Statham put you here, and if he
wishes for your discharge have moth
ing to say in the matter. Good morn
ing"
And he turned from her and busted
himself with the heap of papers on his
desk.
She did not move. She stood as one
turned to stone.
Therefore he touched the electric
button beneath the arm of his chair,
and a clerk appeared.
Send in Mortimer he said coldly,
disregarding the girls presence. Then