The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-16

asked for her. He was received in the
parlor, and Miss Mills came down with
no other idea than that he had come
with bad news. He hemmed and haw-
| eo Tor time and then drew a long
breath and began:
Miss Mills, would it do any good to
ask you to go to the theater with me
some night toward the last of the
week."
I'm afraid not" she answered.
But can't make you out. You
refuse to go to lunch with me-you
refuse raise of salary-you refuse
to go to the theater. viii you tell me
why this is"
"I WILL Mr.. BrownIow. am from
small town in the interior of the
state. My mother is a widow, and we
are poor. I am here to make a living
for both of US.
at had two places before I came to
you, but had to give them UP be-
cause of just such fiattery as you have
bestowed upon me. They were not sat-
istied to let me do as good work as
could for a fixed sum per week. must
give up my place with you for the
same reason"
But don't see it," replied Dick.
Miss Mills looked at the young man
and perceived that he really did not
"see it," Very patiently and in a tone
not at all angry, she replied:
You are the junior partner in the
house. 1 am your stenographer. You
WANT me 10 go TO the Cneater with you.
We should see many people there that
know you. Who am p? Your steno-
grapher. What would they think and
say? Perhaps nothing to injure you
Soctally-but how about me?'
Miss Mills" said Dick, getting up
and preparing to go, 'I see now.
Thank you for the lesson. You have
made me realize something, and that
like pompous fool. And I am a
pompous fool: for I confess that
thought only of patronizing you"
Without waiting for a reply he babe
her ceremonious good night and
hurried away.
The girl watched him go with an ex-
preSsionless face. But when the door
had closed behind him she hurried to
her room and sobbed-much more bit
terly than the mere loss of a position
justified. although that was serious
enough.
That she could not remain with the
firm was decision that she made
without argument. Indeed, she hes
itated next morning as to whether she
should go to the office at all or merely
write surrendering her post.
Her sense of duty conquered. When
she appeared, Dick Brownlow did not
attempt to help her off with her veil
and coat, as he had tried before. In
stead, he merely said GOOD morning
politely and turned to his desk again.
n Presently essan he a, stepped rt to her side
done he hesitated and said:
''Will you pardon me If I recur once
more and. for the last time, to per-
sonal matter?"
Miss Mills, who had been trying to
reach the point of presenting her
resigna tion-and finding it very hard,
much to her own Indignation at her
self-said: Eyes" almost inaudibly.
''Then," said Mr.. Dick Brownlow
bravely, '1 will ask you not to resign.
as I know you intended to do.
could see it in your face this morn
ing. If It. will make you more COM
Portable, will arrange TO have you
transferred to my fathers office; but II
you would forgive me and do me the
honor of trusting me I think can
prove to you that you will not make
a mistake by staying in my own Of
fee"
The girl looked at him with eyes
moist with tears. At will stay" said
she.
Six months afterward the son of
Brownlow & Brown entered the pri-
vate office of the head of the firm and
said:
Father, that Miss Mills didn't ex-
actly try to get a hold on me, but
she has one for all that. and really
think We'll have to take her into the
firm and make it 'Brownlow. Son &
Daughter"
'I couldn't want better partner"
said the head of the firm.-(Copy-
righted, 1909, by Associated Literary
Press.)