Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-07-17

herself.
Six months more passed. She and
Madge White still chung together.
Madge was her closest. almost her only
friend. for the rest seemed to have
forgotten her or at least to overlook
her.
Even Aunt Bess seemed to have no
time for her. She wrote that she was
worn to n FRAGILE between Marjorie's
debut and ElInor's engagement. Well,
It did not matter. Of course. but had
II not been for Madga Bess could hard
~ have endured her life sometimes.
At th end of six months Homer
Baird. her fathers old attorney, sought
her out and asked her to accept a posi-
ton as his secretary.
"AIlss Page Is going to be married."
he said. "She leaves the first Of the
month. She Is an expert, and l gave
her $15 a week. but you may have the
same II you will come"
ooh. Mr.. Baird. how good you are!'
Bess cried. Fifteen dollars week
meant as much to her as $500 had
once upon time.
Two weeks later she was installed In
his office and was making herself as
invaluable to him as his former secre-
tary had done. Clad simply In blue.
her hair very smooth, not CLEAN OF
gold not streak of ribbon about her.
she sat each day before the massive
Office typewriter playing the keys with
swift precision or making pothooks
upon pad at the old lawyers dicta-
tion.
One morning as she sat thus at work
alone the door opened and man
entered-a man whom she had not seen
In two years. since that last evening
she had danced with him and he had
gone away without saying single
thing she had expected him to say.
She felt the color leaving her face
she felt trcmor seize her, but she
made brave stand In spite OF all.
Her year as wage Garner had
taught her more self command than al
the other years of her life put together.
miss Pryorw he exclaimed. "In the
name OF all that Is wonderful, what
are you doing hereT
1t was Just like him to say that. and
she could not help laughing little at
his too evident amazement.
Just earning my living. II you
please, Mr.. Brent" she replied.
''And IS that necessary
"Most necessary. Did you ever hear
the old story OF the prodIgal son, Mr..
Brent?"
He nodded, watching her earnestly
WELL" Bess went on, little breath
lessiy. like him. I have wasted my
substance until must earn IL ! would
eat. I've been business woman for
year. and I'm beginning to like 1t
even better than being society girl.
All. here comes Mr.. Bairdw as the old
lawyer entered.
His entrance ended their CONVERSE
ton for that day. but soon after Brent
came again.
Being lawyer himself and upon
very good terms with Mr.. Baird. 1t was
easy for him to frame excuses for fire.
quent calls.
80 you like doing this? he said
one day. standing beside her and look
Ing down at her nimble fingers. She
looked up at him brightly.
"Yes. indeed. never knew what II
WAS 10 live Unit; nov. Only w!sh !
had got TO work sooner"
He waited awhile. They were alone
in the Office. and In the silence the
clatter OF the typewriter keys sounded
startlingly loud.
II suppose" he said finally, "that
you are so In love with your work here
that nothing could induce you to make
a change. And yet have been think
ing that could offer you a position
rather better than this II you cared to
accept It."
"But I'm not sure that It would be
fair to Mr.. Baird to leave him. He
has been very good to me-" Bess said.
"You don. understand" Brent said.
speaking very low and leaning over
her. This is permanent position
that Of being my wife,"
I'D given up ever expecting to hear
that from you." Bess said a little later.
why didn't you tell me It that sum-
mer at Lenox or the winter before In
Bostonf"
because, my DEAR" Brent said. I'm
a sane man. and no matter how much
] cared for n woman ! would never
marry her We're she not the right sort.
! didn't see In the frivolous girl you
were then the making OF a good wife
for me. So. though I was strongly
tempted. went away without speak.
ing"
"Then played the prodigal daugh-
ter to good advantage, after ALL" Bcss
said mlschievously. ''If my money
had held out this would never have
happened. But how do you know that
my old habits may not rcturnT
How? Because you have learned
your lesson well. And. anyway. the
role Of prodlgal daughter, as you call
1t. never suited you so well as"--
MY present oneT
mo; as your future one as my wife
will suit you"