El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-10-18
The Herald's Daily
ShOrtStOry

YOU deliberately led US TO employ you
! as a single man"
IT'S true HaTdman admitted, in a
/ whisper.
! You've been dcceiving your present
/ employer, Mr.. Cranbury. as well, them
/ I've been with him for seven years,
I Sir didn't dare to risk being sent
/ away sir. But Nell and I've loved
/ one another: and it seemed that We
might have to wait for years-perhaps
I the day would never come, we thought
! The fact remains" Mr. Winterden
! interrupted coldly, that you obtained
the situation by false pretenceS.
have no objection to my employees being
married. as a general rule; but in this
particular case 1 distinctly specified
- = No, Deacon, leave the affair to
meI'
He waved aside the managers muir
INJURED comment. Before ne could con-
tinue George Hardman stepped towards
the desk. Desperation banished all
timidity now. He was fighting for
Nell, for little Ada and for Bonnie
BrOkcnly he pictured his home; he
told how each week they husbanded
every penny, how sometimes even his
brave wife grew hopeless under the
constant strain. how all his savings
had paid the doctor when Bonnie was
i'll. how they had long ago given up
every small luxury, how he had hoped
for better things with so pounds more
year.
who wouldn't have been tempted,
sir2 I'm no better than most"
I'm not going to judge you. Hard
man. But it would be unfair 70 Nj.
Snaith here to give you the preference.
after this. In future 7 advise you to
be frank and honest when you apply
for a position. You may go"
"Pr'Gps they'll tell Mr. Cranbury," he
muttered hOarsely. Then he'll dis
charge me at once. and I won't even
another berth"
His wife must learn the truth. too.
Nell must be tOld-Nell, who believed
him the soul OF honor. How it would
wound her to know that he had stopped
to deception and lies.
At that moment Henry Snaith was
leaving Winterden Brothers office
wreathed in smiles. when he had
gone, the senior partner cleared his
wei, Deacon, what is It YOU want
to say I've engaged the man"
There's something about his man
ntr I don't like, sir"
Pooh, Rubbish
wei. with your permission. sir, I'll
make a few further inquiries
Ct can't face YOU. Nell. I'm ashamed"
H1rdman bent his head upon mis-
. long silence.
1T was wrong. But you did It for
me-for Us, and I understand"
Timidly he glanced up as she put he-
so don't worry any more. dear. Let's
forget it al. But yOu must go
straight 90 Mr.. Cranbury tomorrow and
tell him the truth"
At the office next day he fidgetcd till
him employer arrived. Work was i'm
possible.
Five minutes later, a message came.
You're wanted"
Hardman raped on the inner door.
and was ordered to enter. He flinchcd
when he saw that MT. Cronbury had a
visitor Il was Wi1teTden Brothers
manager.
This gentleman has called. Hard
man, to ask me to reconsider your
case 7 mey say that he sympathizes
with you. But you've been a perfect
idiot"
George Hardwan bowed his head
~ on know I'm selling the business.
Wei StringWay & Son. the firm that's
buying it. wish to keep only a few OF /
the present staff-the married ones.
suggested. It's so much harder for
men with wives and families to be
thrown out of employment
You're right there, sir" agreed /
Hardman shakily.
Although you disObeyed my rules,
You might have told me you'd married. (
But bleSS my Soul, Hartman. you'll De /
all right, III see that St-inEway &
Son find you a place. And I'd better
raise your salSTy az once, I suppose.
so that you can get the same increase I
when they take possession"
George Hartman looked up lis face
was working strangely. Mr.. Deacon
smiled encOura Singly.
1T may interest you to hear that !
Snaith didn't get your vacancy. after I
all. Two Of his references turned out 7
to be very skilfully forged"
Hardman hardly heard. At Mt. Gran {
bury's gesture he turned to go.
81 don't know how to thank YOU. sir /
I don't know how TO show my graft I
tude,"
Work for Stringway's" suggested /
Mr.. Cranbury kindly, as well as you've 1
worked for me-"