The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-08-13

Il am sorry, too" said Tom, forced
70 look at her. but he dared say no
more. He had discharged her and
that was the end OF it. Then he sat
watching her as she went to the ward
robe to get her wraps, and followed
every motion as she adjusted her hat
and drew on her little brown gloves.
He said nothing and only smiled as
she said good night to him and slip
ped out of the door.
That night Tom suffered mental tor
ments--rsmorse, pity and longing
remorse, as he thought OF the cruelty
OF his short, abrupt dismissal Of the
poor girl; pity as he thought Of the
possible want that awaited her, and
longing-that was the worst OF It. A
selfish longing gripped at his heart,
hunger fer one more glimpse Of that
frank, pretty smile.
The next day Tom Wayne came to
the ONCE with heavy heart. but to
his great surprise there was Mary
Drake. her hat OF, carefully opening
and sorting the mail. Why had she
come back? What would Grenoble
say? What would the great Billing
ton do under the circumstances?
Just then Mary smiled and said
still opening the mail-"I can open
the letters and sort the mail. any
way"
Tom forgot all about Ellington.
Il want to have a talk with you,
Miss Drake" he said. "I will start
out with you tonight when you go. I
can't talk easily In this Office"
Somehow Tom thought that 1t
would be easier to make Mary under
stand away from the office that she
would have to Rave, but before tho
evening came he had decided to set
tie the problem of discharging Mary
Drake In a way that made him long
with all his being for five o'clock to
come. 1t was strange, he thought to
himself, that he had not thought Of
this solution before.
That night when Mary Drake walk
cd from the once with Tom Wayne
through the busy crowded streets he
told her the secret OF his love, and
as he told It she looked into his eyes
with such a spirit Of confidence and
companionship that Tom wondered
why he had hesitated TO love her sim
ply because she was an inefficient lit
tie working girl.
"Mr. Ellington landed ths after
noon, and will be at the office the
first thing In the morning." he told
her, so you had better not turn up
there again. 1t won't be 80 hard,
having to leave now, will It, little
girl? Everything have is yours. now,
and you must not worry about the
salary. We will talk that over later"
AS they walked Tom noticed that
they were still walking up the bright
ly lighted thoroughfare, and when
he asked to see her home Mary pro
tested.
Don't be ashamed, little GIRL" he
said. Come. l insist"
Come, then" said Mary, and led
the way past the business section to
the brilliantly lighted fashionable res
idential section. Tom fairly gasped
as she led the way up tie wide brown
stone steps Of Billington's house.
II am not Mary Drake" he heard
the girl at his side saying as they
stood before the front door. IL am
Vivian Ellington. have been play
ing the part of a spy" she went on.
You know how father hated to leave
his office even for day, and this
summer when he needed rest 30
very much hit on this plan. I knew
he didn't like to leave because he
thought things would go wrong while
he was away. One day he said he
his ONCE while he was away to watch
things and let him know just what
was doing-keep him constantly post
ed by wireless and cablegram anG let
ter as only one of his own family
could do.
II told him l would take the place
of a son-so he had me sent through
the agency and, as you know, didn't
know the first thing about anything,
but I did know enough to keep my
eyes open and to stick to my Job. even
when you and old Grenoble tried to
discharge me. think might have
done my work better II | had not had
to spend so much time when you were
not around keeping the run OF the
business to let father know what you
were doing"
Then 1t has all been a game" Tom
Wayne began. as he studied the girls
face. You have been using us-you
have been imposing on our sympathy
and now your father is home you are
through with us? You have been very
clever, Miss Ellington, and l con
graduate you sincerely"
why, Tom" Vivian's two small
hands were held out before her.
tom, dear, It has all been a game
but this, and this is the realest thing
in the whole world"
Norway Turning to Wagner.