The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1910-04-07
TAKEN ON
TRIAL


snapped, land your pay will be $40"
The girl paused on her way to the
door.
Thank you," she said. Il 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 |
vas lust a little surprised to find her |
there. Persons he had engaged had |
a 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 a bit OF white
about her neck that softened the ef-
feet Of the black frock. And In
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 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 ne 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, land the typewriter Is being put
in order. Do you feel the drausht
from the windows
He growed an -inarticulate 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 APP
pearance of the Office. She said she
was quite willing to let me take all
the credit. It seems much nicer here,
doesn't it?"
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 a
his irritability and plain speaking
came back. The business was In bet
ter shape than ever.
I'm losing my grip" he growled t
himself. 81 don't know anybody whit
fears me- And yet, confound it, thu
old house seems to have new leas'
of prosperity. If only Robert"
He had been thinking a good dea
about his son. No doubt it was an
other proof Of his fatuous weakness
He arose suddenly and took the va
cant chair by the girls table.
Miss Morris" he abruptly said
I'm troubled"
Not about the business, Mr.. Thu
ber?"
NO, the business is all right. PEI
haps, If It wasn't, | could keep m
thoughts on It. 1t is my son Rober
who bothers me-"
Yes, Mr.. Thurber."
But you don't ask me why?"
II know something about the stor.
sir. You disagreed. Your son fe
that you were treating him like
child. He rebelled. You drove hi
away"
1T is all quite true" said the mai
tits very hard for me to think wa
wrong Robert was good boy. Pc
haps | forgot that he had grown to /
q man."
The girl leaned forward
"Mr. Thurber." he said. what
my position here?"
He looked at her blankly.
Il hardly know" he answered.
will have to think 1t out Is thel
any special title you want?'
She smiled
Let me be your confidential advi
er for just a moment or two" 81
said. you told Robert you wou
never call him back"
Yes"
"Will You let me call him."
He stared at her.
LET you call him! Do you thir
he will conner"
IT am sure he WILL"
Then you know Robert?"
"Yes. / knew him, before can
here. I talk with him every day"
He drew his breath sharply. rs
10 this a gamer" he demanded
TITS a game in which the happine