The Delta independent., 1909-01-01
F'iction
Patty's Business Experience
BY MAUD HUMPHREYS.


| Constance Wilson in dismay
Every bit as bad,". responded Patty
with brave attempt at cheerfulness
"When it is all over will have per
haps $500 and the furniture"
Dear me-" thought Mrs. Wilson
land every one thought Mr.. Norris
was such n fine business man." But
she did not express the thought. She
knew the girls loyalty to her dead
father
Patty" she finally exclaimed in tri-
umph, there are the Van Allen girls
going abroad. Their father is a wild
over. He wants companion for
them. You know the continent like a
guidebook, and you'd be useful They
are new to this sort of thing, you
know"
Patricia Norris drew herself up very
straight.
Connie. don't suggest impossible
things. l positively refuse to take a
position that savors of charity I'm
going straight into the business world
and work-really work"
Mrs. Wilson affected cheerful ac-
quiescence which she did not feel
I'm going home now. my dear. and
think this over You'll hear from me
tomorrow. And of course you'll sue
ceed, whatever you undertake."
Mrs Wilson had been Patty's gov
erness in the days when such a thing
as financial uncertainty seemed far re
moved from the Norris mans;cn. Now
she was manuscript reader for big
l..
her dimly lighted bedroom. third story
back. in "A noisy boarding house. she
drew forth small bank book and stud
led It carefully AS n result of long re
Election she dispatched the following
note to Patty:
My Dear GirI-Before we do anything
else we must Ind home. 1 am sick
unto death OF boarding. Shall we have
little fiat together a cunning apartment.
with what you want Of your dear old
things as furnishings? Then Wen ind
you the position. But first n home. for
your sake and mine. Save me from the
fate of a hall bedroom my dear. II is
the chance l have dreamed of for years.
Three weeks later Mrs. Wilson
caught Patty frowning at her across
a dinner table that was homelike and
dainty
Connie. there's absolutely nothing
left for me to do. The tins are hung
straight in the kitchen. and I've tried
the bricy-bracy in every conceivable
position. I'm not to be put of any
longer. I want a job"
There was mirth in the tone. but 1t
rang false Job" from the lips of Pa
tricia Norris! Nevertheless that same
&I.x. e.t< t<x
gether. Mrs. Wilson had seen this
coming and was prepared.
"There Is absolutely nothing open in
our offices as I had hoped. Patty. and
the only schools where would have
influence are supplied with teachers
that never marry or die" She sur
veyed the girl through veil of un-
shed tears. you've a regular Gibson
figure, dear, and such lovely fluffy
hair She broke off disconnected!y.
Patty laughed.
Connie. do stick to the text. Shall I
go forth as an artists model?'
Mrs. Wilson clasped her hands tight
ly. ..
mot exactly that, but heard Of
something today. Patty. that you could
do-so we'll"
"Name it, responded Patty. but
with an odd sinking sensation In her
heart.
at Schermerhorn's they want-a-a
model to show OFF their imported suits,
and you're the very oh, Patty, don't
look at me like that. I've tried so hard
to get something better"
In second the girls soft arms were
round her neck.
Connie behave yourself! OF course
shall take 1t and be properly CRATE
full. How muchT'
"Only $3.50 week, but you
wouldn't have got that much only that
l told the head of the department what
IA beauty you were.'
"Flatterer!" answered Patty, with
laugh that sounded more like a sob.
So did Patricia Norris make her en-
try into the business world. 1t was
not hard work. and she never wearied
Of handling the beautiful wraps and
frocks. Her statuesque beauty set
them off to perfection, and the head of
the department approved of her be-
cause she never got gay" nor wasted
the time of other employees by chat
ting with them, as her predecessor
had done. In fact, she held herself
aloof from the other girls In the shop.
1t was an odd. unreasoning pride that
| they could not understand. If the girls
who thought her proud had known
how she envied them they might have
felt differently. They worked with
their hands, and she-jUst posed. 1t
| was NOT bra In that pnrned her salary
but mere bauble Of physical perfec-
| tion.
And she resented most of all the