Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-20
The Argus Daily Story
Lem Boskins Inventory--By Clarissa Maclie.
Copyrighted. by Associated Literary Bureau

"Take chair" said Lem. tossing
his time tables aside. Come to have
look around?"
YES Have you got the inventory
ready?"
mo. We're working on it now. Lu-
eta wouldn't have any help. She
made up her mind she would do 1t all
herself. 1t takes longer. but she knows
what she's about"
"Luetta's pretty good clerk" OBJ
served George Hine.
There amt better one In the
world"
Il suppose It would be hard work to
| find anybody to take her place." went
! on George Hine. more as If he was
speaking to himself.
You amt thinking Of turning Luz
eta Wilson Off. George?" LENS eyes
flashed strangely.
what If amp asked the other
lazily.
Nothing, only I'll call the deal OF.
| Luetta's worked in this store too many
years to be turned of now. I'll keep
the store and let her run 1t for me
| before I'll see her turned or" said
Lem hotly.
George Hine smiled tolerantly.
"Don't get excited, Lem. You won't
be called upon to do anything as SEN
sational as all that. Just the same I
may discharge Luetta Wilson as soon
take over the store"
"Oh, you will, will your sneered
Lem.
"Yes, Don't get so hot. Lem. Wait
until you hear the rest Of it." soothed
the other man good naturedly. IF Lu-
eta Wilson leaves this store It will
be because she's going to marry me-"
ooh" said Lem. very much as IL he
had received an unexpected slap in
the face. II didn't know"
The door opened. a customer enter
ed, and George Hine sauntered out.
Later Lem saw him standing on the
corner talking to Luetta. Lem felt
strangely savage about the whole
thing and slammed dry goods around
the store until Luetta futtered back
to her place behind the counter.
81 suppose you enjoy getting up this
inventory for George Hine," said Lem
tactlessly.
81 don't know what you mean," said
Luetta calmly, though a little color
fiickered in her cheeks.
"Of course I can't expect anybody
to care much because I'm going
away" went on Lem. fooiishly reck-
less and suddenly fercely jealous.
"Of course not" said Luetta, with
unexpected spirit.
"Why not?"
Because you haven't acted as II you
cared whether you were leaving any
body behind or not" said Luetta
vaguely. Here's some more shell hair
pins. Lem. Put those down on the in
vsntory."
So Lem Boskins wrote down the
shell hairpins. and papers of needles
and darners, and spools of thread. and
tape measures. and papers of pins. and
shoestrings, and hair nets and rats. "
and not once did his lips part to utter
the little jokes that usually came readi-
ly to him as he worked. Lem was
looking worried and harassed and not
at all happy He was sorely puzzled
in big boy sort OF way, and he was
trying to work It out in his mind to his
own satisfaction.
At o'clock Luetta brought him the
last sheet of foolscap paper and said.
"The inventory's finished. Lem"
He glanced at 1t carelessly, and then
: his eyes sought her blue ones and held
them in long. close look.
You got everything in. Luetta"
Everything. I'm sure"
How about yourself. Luetta n
. "Me?" she faltered and then blushed
hotly. Lem Boskins, are you laugh
. ing at meT'
He arose and stood close beside her.
: 'Luetta." he said in low. husky voice.
r I've been an awful fool. and | never
knew 1t till this noon when George
I Hine came in here and told me that
3 when he took over the store he might
discharge you because you were going
: to marry him. | didn't know that, Lu-
e eta"
: II didn't know 1t either said Luz
eta quietly now that she realized the
j great moment had come into her life.
i "Then you're not he asked eagerly.
I Not If / never marry"
u "When George Hine told me that I
u suddenly realized that in leaving
q Traskville / was leaving you behind
and that you and your pretty gold
e hair here in the store We're the dearest
I things In the world to me. I've been
a terrible fool. Luetta. Would you.
could you. care for me enough SOS I
4 could include you in the inventory OF
j what belongs to me?'' He was whis-
q pering, because she was in his arms
/ and her pale gold hair was against his
rough wooden shoulder and her cheeks
: were pink and wet with tears.
!. Luetta. standing there in her lovers
arms. saw the door open quickly and
q George Hine enter and stand angry
e and amazed at the scene before him
n Luetta's woman wit came to the res
cne
Z. I've resigned. Mr. Hine." she said
g quickly.
Il see you have" be said shortly,
q and. going out. he slammed the door