The Jackson herald., 1910-09-29
This Courting Business
By JEANNE OLIVE LOIZEAUX

Laura we're already patting their
hair into shape. surrept;tiously pow
dering their faces and nervously
making ready to go to lunch. They
were both under twenty. Of the fluf-
fy. big-eyed. quick-fading type.
Caroline was older-perhaps twenty
five-calm. steady-eyed, with smooth
hair and a tailored business look.
though her salary was little more
than theirs. She closed her book.
and as the door shut on the boss she
looked steadily at their rather tagged
faces-the heat and the work were
telling on them. She herself was
bright-eyed and checked. ready for
anything.
The heat Is fierce" complained
Maude GROSSLY. 1T makes every.
body mean. feel like scratchy
cat, and the boss is like bear. I'm
sure only respect for himself-not
for me-kept him from swearing
when | couldn't read my notes this
morning"
Laura nodded and pinned on her
extravagant headgear.
Did you get to sleep last night at
all? | didn't until morning-it is
really too warm to dance-and Harry
made me mad taking me home-I
wouldn't waste time on him, only he
gives girl such a good ume-and
got to go somewhere"
Caroline broke In impatiently.
What ails you two girls is not
heat-it's this counting business. The
kind that never lands you anywhere.
and tires you all out for your work
You've no business to dance all night
and be practically asleep the next
day. The boss il supposedly paying
for your waking hours-not your
sleeping ones. Honestly. you can't
afford not to be studying a bit on
your work. I'm not one to howl, but
In this dull season, and so many good
stenographers wanting summer work,
It wouldn't take much for you TO get
yourselves discharged. don't sup.
pose you'll adore me for telling you
this. but it's So"
The girls tried to look scornful. but
the older girl had been a friend In
time Of need-she had gotten them
10Th into her Office. and had even paid
for their lunches their first week.
| They were a trife sulky. But they
could not deny that she was prettier
than they. II little older, and much
their superior In the office-and
everywhere.
We've got to have some fun" con
tended Laura
The three started together for the
door. and the older girl replied:
Il know that. and want you to
have II, but you've got the wrong idea
Of fun. Dancing's all right once in
while. and in the right place. But
these dance halls, and with such O
sport as Harry Hall. That's only
foolhardiness, kids. You'll be sorry
You may be all right, but people are
going to Judge you by the company
you keep. To be fat" she finished
as they got out of the elevator and
went along the street, would you
want to marry any OF the men you
danced with last night?"
The two did not answer.
You're pretty and young. and they
arc having a good time with you
You're giving them your freshness
and Just being seen with them queers
you with better men. How about
Bob, Maudie?"
Maude's dark eyes filled with sud
den tears. She had not seen hin
for a month. He was a boy from
home, good. clean. with a promising
business start. She knew that hs
had almost declared his love for her
Then, without warning, he hat
ceased to come near her. Caroline
steered them past their usual plac,
of eating to a quiet dairy lunchroom.
I'm going to boss you for a few
weeks" she laughed brightly. 9TH,
lunch is on me today--if you let m,
order. Dancing all night, and sodai
and cake for lunch. and dinner littl,
better, won't do" She got littl,
side table and sklllfully ordered som,
cold meat, salad. good sweet ant
milk. II was good. She guided tn,
talk TO impersonal matters. glad t,
bcS lue bulhiLtbS pass lTOll IsduTd
face and the sadness from Maude's
While they were eating Bob Hard
came in. He would have passed then
with a wistful but firm little nod
but Caroline's eye held him. Sh
beckoned to him. He came gladl
enough. for he had always liked he
and had been sorry when Maude es
capped from her care. He stood bt
side them.
} Are you busy all the timer" sh
asked. Because II you are not
want you to come for a little picni
: with us and some others Thursda
after Office hours. You can brin
some fruit and come to my offic
: at FIVE"
The slim. fair young fellow, afte
: a moments silent hunt for an e,
, cuse, decided to accept He woul
= have preferred keeping away froI
Maudie. He could not forget ho'