Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-03-04

hat 1--WE three are going to run
down to Chesapeake bay for dinner
and a cool breeze. We will get back
by - o'clock tonight"
After dinner they left Mrs. Darnley
with book and strolled down the
beach until they came to an old pier.
used only occasionally by small boys
with their fishing tackle.
lets walk to the end OF this. 1t
gives a feeling OF being in the middle
OF the ocean Except for the narrow
strip of boards reaching back to the
beach we can imagine we are strand
ed on desert island
He settled her comfortably I'm an old
sill lying across the end of the pier
and took out his cigar case. Now
tell me how you like Office life and IL
you want permanent appointment"
She shrugged her shoulders in the
darkness.
I'D rather stay home and wash
dishes all my life than accept Il per-
manent appointment" she said intense
it's only for short time-father IS
getting we'll rapidly. you know-but
could not be brave enough TO face the
thought that | was there for life
There are more brave, discontinued
women in Washington than | ever
dreamed of-all ages, from twenty tc
seventy. Did you ever hear OF the
office face
II don't think l ever did" laughed
Dabney lis il worth looking at?'
Its pitiful." she said, watching the
waves, flecked with moonlight dash
and break against the logs of the pier
Whenever new girl comes in. fresh
from the outside world. she creates a
sensation. Her fresh complexion, her
hopeful ambition. are interesting and
enjoyable to the clerks who have been
there for years. but they also watch
her with a pathetic tenderness Not
one who stays in service five years
fails to get that look which Washing
tonianS call the office face There Is
set expression of apathy. The express
sion of the eyes changes. don't know
exactly what ii is. but the woman who
has the desk next to mine told me that
she could walk down + street in the
afternoon, look into peoples faces and
pick out every man and woman who
had been in Office for any length of
time. Even the men lose the indie
pendent look which the average bust
ness man gets with years"
Poor little girl, \ few months even
have been sufficient TO rob you of your
enthusiasm" he said noticing that her
face had grown thin and pale from the
unaccuStomed sedentary life. Flea
nor, are YOU determined to go back To
college next fall to finish your course
IF all goes well with papa. | only
lack one year, 1t seems pity not to
get my diploma"
But if you are going in for-er
DISTINGUISHING" he suggested lis the
diploma really necessary"
Eleanor looked at him reproachfully.
stupid. Are you as literal as all
that: Haven't YOU ever heard of mere
figures of speechT'
Figures that. set me To doing some
rapid mental calculation yes He
leaned toward her. and the moonlight
showed her both the mirth and serious.
ness of his eyes Il was going Ia in
vest in some-er-d dishes To be washed
and offer you the job he said
You are Il very queer man she
gasped, laughing finally at mental
picture of john Dabney investing his
thousands in an innumerable pile of
dishes
ITS not joke, girl. I've been think
ing of II for weeks
She clasped her fingers around her
knees and. leaning over. gazed at the
lights of boat far out.
1T Is, not a very hard job washing
dishes for two" she said finally.
He unclasped her hands and held
them firmly in his own.
Eleanor Wynn. I'm going to swear
you In to permanent appointment
right this minute he said jubilantly.
ITS for life remember"