The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-18
-DISCHARCING- MARY DRAKE

desk where she sat working on the
files, and explained to her In a low
monotone that her services on the
files had proved worse than useless,
you may as we'll go home at
once" he said. There will be no
more to do"
II know that have failed" said
Mary, looking at him out of those
frank blue eyes, "and l am sorry.
IT am sorry. too" SAID Tom. forced
TO look at her, but he dared say no
more. He had discharged her and
that was the end OF 1t. Then he sat
watching her as she went to the
wardrobe to get her wraps. and fol-
lowed 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 slipped out of the door.
That night Tom suffered mental
torments-remorse. pity and long
ing--FameFset, as he thought of the
cruelty Of his short, abrupt dismis-
sal OF the poor girl: pity as he
thought OF the possible want that
awaited her. and longing-that was
the wrost OF 1t. A selfish longing
gripped at his heart. hunger for
pretty smile.
The next day Tom Wayne came to
the Office with a heavy heart, bu+
to his great surprise there was Mary
Drake, her hat off, carefully opening
and sorting the mall. Why had she
come back What would Grenoble
saw What would the great Billing
ton do under the circumstances?
Just then Mary smiled and said
still opening the malt can open
the letters and sort the mail. any
way"
Tom forgot ait about Biifiugton.
II want TO have talk with you,
| Miss Drake" he said II Will start
out with you tonight when you go.
| can't talk easily In this Office"
Somehow Tom thought that II
| would be easier to make Mary under
stand away from the Office that she
would have to leave. but before
the evening came .he had decided to
settle the problem of discharging
| Mary Drake In a way that made him
| long with all his being for 5 o'clock
to come. It was strange. he thought
TO himself. that he had not thought
of this solution before.
That night wher. Mary Drake
walked from the office with Tom
| WAYNE through the busy crowded
streets he told her the secret of his
| love, and az he told 1t she looked into
his eyes with such spirit OF con-
Gdence and companionship that Tom
wondered why he had hesitated to
+, love her simply because she was an
| inefficient little working girl
Mfr. Burlington landed this after
noon. and will be at the office the
frst thing In the morning" he told
| her. go you mad better OF turn UP
/ there again. II won't he so hard
| having TO LEAVE now. Will IT. little
| girio 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 ND the bright
! " lighted thoroughfare, and when
/ he asked TO see her home Mary pro-
/ tested
! Don't be ashamed. little girl he
/ sail Come, insist
Come. then" said Mary. and led
I the way past the business section 10
i the brilliantly lighted fashionable
/ residential section Tom fairly gasped
as she led the way up the wide
E
i house.
/ p am not Mary Drake he heard
/ the girl al his side saving as they
( stood before the front door Il am
Vivian Ellington. 7 have been play
ing the part 81 a Say. she went on.
You know how father hated To leave
his office even for a dav. and this
summer when he needed a rest 40
! very much hit on this plan ! knew
/ he didn't Ike TO leave because he
/ thought things would go wrong while
! he was away. One day he said he
I would go II he had son to leave In
his office while he was away to watch
things and let him know just wha:
: s-ti t7y wireless and cabiegraph and
/ letter as only one of his own family
could DO
/ Il told him l would take the place
| of a son--~so he had me sent through
| the agency and. as you know. I didnt
| know the first thing about anything,
T nv. did know enough To keep INV
/ ewes omen ard to stick tn my job.
/ ever, when Nou srr6 afd CrenabIe
/ tried to discharge me, think !
might have done my work better n
/ I had not had to spend so much time
when Won were not around keeping
/ the run of the business to let father
know. what YOU were doing
Then il has all been NJ game" Tom
Z Wayne began. an he studied the girls
| face You have been using us
| you have been imposing on our sym
| pathy and now your father Is home
YOU are through with u.s. You have
: seeH-r clever, Aiss R3lllasse5ar- q nj
! I congratulate YOU sincerely
/ WHY Tom" Eivian's two small
/ hands were held out before her.
tom. dear. IL has all been g game
hut this. and this is the realest thing
| In the whole world"