Sharp County record., 1909-09-24
TAKEN ON
TRIAL
The man Whirled about.

ue 5lIl pdusSo on hSA wy W ~
door.
Thank you," she said. II expect
to make myself worth more than
that"
When he came down the next morn
Ing and tramped into his Office, he
found the girl seated at her table, her
brown head bent over her work. He
was Just a little surprised to find her
there. Persons he had engaged had
way of promising to come back and
failing to do so. He knew that, he
was to blame for this, and he rather
gloried in the thought. But here was
this strange girl at her place and look
ing as II she meant to stay there. She
was neat-looking girl. Her hair was
tidy and there was bit of white
about her neck that softened the eff
feet of the black frock. And In a
little vase in front of her was flow
era red flower Of some kinda flow
er he told himself, that looked
strangely out Of place IN the dingy
room.
And then the man suddenly stared
about him. Both the windows were
open, and they were clean, and the
sunshine was streaming in. And there
was a general air Of freshness about
the place that was quite amazing-and
the odor of cleanliness was fairly pun
gent
Good morning." said she sweetly
This girl was going altogether too
far. What did she mean by taking
such liberties? He would show her
that he was not the sort Of man that
could be imposed upon No doubt she
had been spoiled in the Office Of her
father-her dead father
He looked up. The girl was stand.
ing by the desk.
"The men from the telephone COM
pany will be here at ten o'clock to
arrange for moving the phone" she
said "and the typewriter is being put
In order. Do you feel the draught
from the windows?"
He growled an inartlculate word or
two and the girl turned away.
"Oh," she said and turned back.
MARY, the woman who cleans, asked
me to tell you that she wasn't In any
way responsible for the improved ap-
pcarance of the Office. She said she
was quite willing to let me take all
the credit. 1t seems much nicer here,
doesn't III"
Here was his chance TO assert his
authority. But, strange to say, the
only form Of expression his anger took
was another vicious slam Of the much
suffering private drawer.
The girl brought new methods into
the business the labor.saving and
time-saving devices he had despised.
And with the departure OF the old.
fashioned methods his old.fashioned
brusQueness seemed to depart, too,
Customers who had been offended at
his irrltabillty and plain speaking
came back. The business was In bet
ter shape than ever,
''Im losing my grip" he growled to
himself. II don't know anybody who
fears me. And yet, confound 1t, the
old house seems to have new lease
of prosperity, II only Robert"
He had been thinking u good deal
about his son. No doubt II was an.
other proof Of h.s fAtuous weakness,
He arose suddenly and took the va
cant chair by the girls table.
Miss Norris" he abruptly said,
"I'm troubled"
mot about the business, Mr. Thur.
ber?"
mo, the business Is all right Per,
haps, II It wasn't, could keep my
thoughts on It, II is my son Robert
who bothers me-
"Yes, Mr.. Thurber.'
but you don't ask mo why?"
II know something about the story,
sir. You disagreed. Your son felt
that you were treating him like a
child. He rebelled, You drove him
away"
1T Ia all quite true" said the man,
ats very hard for me to think ! was
wrong, Robert was q good boy, Per-
haps forgot that he had grown to be
Q man."
The girl leaned forward.
"Mr, Thurber," no said, what Ia
nay position here''
IIe looked at her blankly.
II hardly know" he answered ~
will have TO think Il out, IL there
any special title you want,"
She smiled,
Let me be your confidential advis
or for just a moment or two" she
said, "You told Robert you would
never call him back"
YES"
"Will you lot me call himi"
lie stared ut her,
Lot you call him DO you think
he will conner"
~ am sure he will"
"Thon you know Robert7"
"Ycs. knew him before came
here, talk with him every day"