The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-11
THE EVENING STORY
This Counting Business.
(By Jeanne Olive Loizeaux.)


(By Jeanne Olive Loizeaux.)
1t was minute or two past the
noon hour, but Caroline made a last
entry in the daybook. Maude and
hair into shape, surreptitiously pow
derlng their faces and nervously
making ready to go to lunch. They
were both under twenty, of the fluffy
big eyed. quick fading type. Caro-
line was older, perhaps twenty-five
calm, steady eyed, with smooth hair
and 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
! and the work were telling on them.
She herself was bright eyed and cheek
ed, ready for anything.
This heat is fierce" complained
Maude Grossly. "It makes everybody
mean. 1 feel like a scratchy cat, and
the boss is like bear. I'm sure only
respect for himself-not for me
kept him from swearing when I could
not read my notes this morning.
Laura nodded and pinned on her
extravagant headgear.
Did you get to sleep last night at
all? I 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 a girl such a good time-and I
got to go somewhere"
Caroline broke in impatiently.
What ails you two girls is not heat
its 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 is supposedly paying for your wax
ing hours-not your sleeping ones. Hon.
estly, you can't afford not to be stud
ying 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 suppose you'll adore me for
! telling you this, but it's so.''
| The girls tried to look scornful. but
the other girl had been a friend in
both into her Office, and had even paid
for their lunches their first week.
They were a trifie sulky. But they
| could not deny that she was prettier
than they, if little older, and much
| their superior in the office-and ev-
erywhere.
We've got to have some fun" con-
| tended Laura.
The three started together for the
door, and the older replied:
"I know that, and 1 want you to
have it, but you've got the wrong idea
of fun. Dancing's all right once in
while, and in the right place. But not IN
dance halls, and with such a sport as
| Harry Hail. InaL 5 only lOOAAdA OiIACoSs
kids. You'll be sorry. You may be
all right, but people are going to judge
you by the company you keep. TO
be fiat" 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
are having a good time with you
" freshness.
and just being seen with them queers
lyou with better men. How about
Bob, Maudfe %
Maude's dark eyes filled with sud
den tears. She had not seen him
for a month. He was boy from
home, good, clean, with promising
business start. She knew that he had
almost declared his love for her. Then,
without warning, he had ceased s.ao,t to
them past their usual place of eating
to a quiet dairy lunch room.
I'm going to boss you for few
weeks" she laughed brightly. 1.-THE
lunch is on me today-if you let me
order. Dancing all night, and sodas
and cake for lunch, and dinner little
better, won't do She got little side
table and skillfully ordered some cold
meat. salad. and cups of sweet milk.
1t was good. She guided the talk to
impersona1 matters, glad to see the
sulkiness pass from Laura's face and
the sadness from Maude's.
While they were eating, Bob Hardy
came in. He would have passed them
with a wistful but firm little nod, but
Caroline's eye held him. She beckon-
ed to him. He came gladly enough.
for he had always liked her and had
been sorry when Maude escaped from
her care. He stood beside them.
"Are you busy all the timer" she
asked because If you are not want
you to come for little picnic with us
and some others Thursday after office
hours. You can bring some fruit and
come to our Office at 8"
| The slim, fair young fellow. after
moments silent hunt for an excuse
decided to accept. He would have
Iprefefred keeping away from Maudie
He could not forget how sweet she
used to be. and hated to remember
that her pretty hair was padded into
grotesQueness, her hat monstrosity
and that she would let Harry Hal
take her to a cheap dance. But ne
promised to come.
Tt was queer, but neither of the
girls had opened her mouth to tell
Caroline that Thursday was the night
i pected to go-in their own phrase: II
She knew it Caroline did not betray
the fact. She went on planning. In
the afternoon the girls braced up tc
their work and went home promising
to go to bed at 8, and be on time al
the Office next morning.
The next evening Caroline invited
herself to go home with them and
help them fix some things to veal
to the picnic next day. Quite casually
she had asked Mr.. Roberts, head
clerk in their office, to be of the party
He had seemed glad to go, and tool
a quick glance at Laura. He had al
| WAYS wanted to know if there was 9
real girl beneath the little person who
: came to the office in party f1nery
There was something sweet and gen.
| xrivo oI1.,f har. dcenifo