Rock Island Argus., 1911-05-24

not expect me to refuse such an ex-
ceIlent offer" he said renectively.
"Of course not-even IL you have
been with him ten years." rejoined
Penworth grimly. "Now, Mr.-eF-
%Bray-HArry Bray, sir"
'Mr. Bray suppose you sit right
down and pen q letter OF resignation
to Mr.. Dickson. 1 like TO have these
matters cleared up as go along. other
wise I'm apt to forget them. II you
resign now I can put you right into
our main Office here to I'LL an impor-
tant vacancy. There are writing ma
terials here on this small table"
The bookkeeper sat down and nerv-
o6sly inditsd a brief epistle to his en-
ployer, in which be formally resigned
his position, stating his reasons for
doing so and generously waving all
salary due him in lieu of longer notice.
This he closed in an envelope which he
sealed and addressed. Mr.. Penworth
held out his hand for it and regarded
the envelope with thoughtful smile.
Now that's settled" he said, II
suppose you'n want to settle up your
books, Mr.. Bray. I'm rather impressed
with the rapidity with which that
young woman out there operates her
machine. Now. I'm in need OF just
such an expert stenographer, and while
I suppose It doesn't look exactly
square to take Dickson's help away
from limits all in the business and
I pay my people we'll Send her TO me.
will youT"
Miss Porter was fattered and charm
ed to accept a position In the luxuri-
ously appointed Offices OF Penworth &
Co. at double her present salary. Soon
er or later ability will meet with its
proper reward, she told herself, while
she was writing her letter Of instant
resignation at Penworth's dictation.
He held the two letters in his hand
and regarded them thoughtfully.
Jimmy dropped forlornly when he
heard the whispered condolences Of the
other. He had not read From once
Boy to Millionaire" for nothing, and
here was his chance to rise. J. Angus
tus Penworth was pushing people
along on the upward path. Why could
not honest Jimmy Lee be among the
risers2
That was how 1t happened that he
approached the great man and respect
fully asked for a Job as Office boy, and
he got it. Twice the salary he had
been receiving caused his eyes to spar
kle joyously. Mr.. Penworth had just
told him that he could write a letter
of resignation when there was the
sound Of rapid footsteps in the corn-
dor outside.
Instantly the millionaire leaped to
his feet, and Bray and Miss Porter.
who were in the line of vision. saw
him drop their letters of resignation
through the letter slot into Dickson's
closed and locked desk, and they ex-
changed glances of satisfaction.
The outer door opened, and there
was the sound of footballs. J. Angus
tus Penworth thrust aside the startled
Jimmy and darted behind the tall
desk, where he crouched as If in fear.
"J. Augustus Penworth? Let's have
look at him." said a gruff voice. and
two dark forms filed the doorway Of
the private Office before they discov-
cred the millionaire and pounced upon
him just in time to wrest a revolver
from his hand.
mo, you don't. Mr.. Mike Hennes-
sey. alias The Farmer, wanted for
forgery and so forth! We tracked you
to this building and we've raked ev-
cry office with a fine toothed comb till
we come to the thirteenth 6oor. Say,
Mike, this number thirteen s an un-
lucky number for you all right"
The detectives laughed as they hand
cuffed their prisoner, and the other
asked, with q humorous wink: ~. Au-
gustus Penworth, are you moving in
high financial circles, eh? What kind
of business you been transacting
hereT'
The prisoner stared impudently ac
the Mortified faces Of the bookkeeper
and the stenographer and winked to-
ward the locked desk where their res
ignations waited Homer Dickson's re-
turn.
'I been studying human nature
some and playing schoolteacher by
learning these folks some lessons" he
said. with an affected nasal drawl.
Then they led him away.
1t was Jimmy. the Office boy, who
broke the CHASTITY silence that fol-
lowed his withdrawal.
"I guess I better dust up Mr.. Dick
sons Office" he said virtuously. Hell
be pretty busy the next few days. and
eyof fn no on 70 tho inh -