The Washington herald., 1910-10-31

N !. :: !: 81. ]: .: ::
- the ivory cheeks. the
faint hoows in the
places where dimples
should have been and the
G---------- weary droop Of the red
lips up gold in the brown hair and
strange beauty the seadfast violet that
burned so hungrly in the tired face
The opening of the Office door reused the girl from her
reverie. and she glanced up quickly with CLEAN Of
relief in her eyes that faded she who II
that closed the door behind him with a hrm click OF
the latch.
He was a tall dark man. with a lean cean-shaven
face and pair OF hawkike eyes that rested for a
upon the pure, delicate beauty of the girl
the chair taking in in that swift scrutiny the refine
the poverty, and the nobleness stamped her
beauty like a blot upon fair landscape. Then,
slight bow, he crossed the and opening the
door passed into the embrace of the fog.
But as he reached the he paused
glanced back al the shut door with thoughtful frown
his face.
i've wasted half an hour in that Office trying to get
the Old who runs the show TO find the girl
want for the job and all the time she suggesting
and regretting, the girl there, waiting
her soft exclamation huttered 70 his lips. Yes.
the very girl a lady from head foot. Poor young
earning, or trying TO earn her living Why. L
might almost believe that by a special provi-
dence to The ogrefaced manageress OF Ladies
Employment Bureau! He laughed grmly. and turned
up the collar or his coat AT any rate shall wait here
and what happens. I say she won't be long
Judging from the Old woman's Impotence with me-"
Lighting cigarette he drew his cap down over MS
dark eyes l'' lazy smile IN MS
In the meantime the girl in the waiting room bao
started to her feet and knocked tmdIy at the ONCE
door toneless voice bade her enter and as she dd
so, an elderly sour-visaged woman with a SHINING,
nigh forehead and dull. parched-ooking skin said
sharply: 7'''' 7'''
We'll, Miss Fenchester what do YOU think vou can
ma 10 do IN this weather? told you I would write
10 you II anything turned up
The girls eyes shone with tears Then ,o,, have
nothing FOR me, Miss Smith? not stay in nv room
all day; was anxious be here in case something
.g e nave turned up she said in low. tired
no one 10 bear II with YOU"
The manageress sOured face relaxed from its usual
expression Perhaps she, too could remember what IT
had been 10 endure suspense alone
Il can quite understand your mpatience. she said
more kindly but day like this il is waste OF time
10 come down mere There Is absolutely nothing doing;
not soul has been the place except Yourself and
a gentleman who has just gone, You must have seen
The girl nodded
Yes" Then She added slowly When can you hold
Miss Smith peered through the fog that had penetrated
into the dngy little office caught the expression of
hopelessness the white face and a sudden light sbot
That gentleman who went out just now had come
70 see whether had some one on books who could
The girl uttered exclamation Of despair 'Ob wbv
Gan you suggest me? To think that a good chance
1T may not have been good chance" Miss Smith
remarked dryy. There were too many qualifications
required perhaps you're just we'll out of it, YOU'D
oel'er come down again next week l hold out no
hope Of anything TIN then"
YIN
tell me TO wait till then, but don't how I can.
have been hoping Ions something would turn I'D
Tn very sorry, Miss Fenchester was the mana
EeIeSS reply OUT YOU can hardly expect 10
an exception in I will let YOU know when
any one is likely TO require typst and really can
do more
A few moments later the girl opened the door through
which the stranger had passed stepped out into
the fog, which now thick 10 be almost like a
black wall of vapor As she realized that she had ia
walk home through it, she uttered exclamation or
searching for work dread bad fog and now
take 10 reach Kepple street she had back bed
SltIhg room tor three months she had occupied
each day that would be her last there with e.6 in
her pockets of hope and courage she had come
mp to London from the country village Of Which o bar
father had been the vicar and where his death she
long, weary search for work week after week had
living an the bunIbIes, i5h'"s even me smallest
thing IA turn, from nursery governess and mothers
help 10 EplSt and even housekeeper in a danes
ON me score OF ineNperence Others that personal
And now with exactly e5 between herself and starva-
uon she stood outside the door Of the Ladies Employ
She could venture move from the step Of the onIv
place she knew in London with the exception KeppIe
Suddenly as she hesitated. hand shot out of the
cultured voice said apoogeucay: Il beg pardon but
mont Bureau? I've missed my bearings
4 tTem9r OF surprise seized her, Yes this it.
pierce he Veil thar enveoped her auestioner But a3at
10 loom scientifically tall in the fog see nothing
Else As she made movement to pass him stranger
spoke again.
CLOSED, What a misfortune, had Just left the office
Few moments ago before the fog became so thick
END the manageresS had told me that she could not
ind me the kind OF secretary wanted was coming
hack 10 tell her not trouble To look ont for any one
else. as ! was going 10 advertise"
Then the gentleman who left the office when
was waiting 10 Miss Smith" the girl exclaimed
she told IRE that had wanted a secretary and
regretted that she had not known waiting or
she would have introduced you. Won't you'll mean
is u 100 late for try for the pOst2' STAN
mered, suddenly aware that she talking
Had the fog lifted that moment would have
noticed sudden strange CLEAN fash into the
eyes-a lash OF triumph and satisfaction, though
iad obtained something for which he had worked
his voice revealed nothing of triumph ne replied
slowly
i shall certainly be happy give you a trial only
should like 10 hear particulars about you rs
the work have waiting 90 be done requires courage
and pluck Then before she could reply he went on
quickly y think. If you don't mind. that had
Try TO make our way 10 teashop where shall be very
sad 10 listen 20 any particulars that you Will
Few minutes later their careful walking brought
Them INTO the Strand, where the fog seemed little
clearer, and misty figures with foggrimed came
ana went like shadows moving in a dream. the girl
and her prospective employer sat down a marble