Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

her weeks salary EXTRA but she refuses to accept it
"Tell her I'd like to speak to her.
81 suppose the young man have engaged would be
willing to accept weeks salary and look for another
place"
4Let him stay here. We may need him.
Frederick Vance hurried back to Lucy, his
that of who had achieved great triumph. 81 told
you," he said, shat you could make him change his
mind. We going to keep you here
She looked up without exhibiting the gladness he had
hoped his announcement would bring a don't think
to Stay-nOW, she said
"Why not?" he demanded.
If she had observed him closely she might have
that her answer troubled him. II merely wished to
make him acknowledge that was competent He has
done that he has expressed desire to have me stay
"But | want you to stay"
"Thank you," she replied. "If did, it wouldn't be
fair to the man you have hired to take my place |
have the promise of another position that, think, will
be agreeable than this.
The young general manager seemed to be hurt. II
have tried well could to make it agreeable for
you here" he said
ooh, don't that you haven't treated me as
well deserve to be treated she FASTENED to assure
him; "but have felt ever since you told me Mr. Stir
ling did not want women working here if it
wrong of me to stay. | have had guilty conscience
"But your conscience needn't bother you now, he
eagerly replied "The governor has been cured of his
fooshness. He sees how much need you. He made
the suggestion himself to have you stay"
"But the man who was to have taken my place
ooh, don't worry about him. We're going to let
him come, just the There too much work here
for stenOgrapher.
@Why, l have been able take of it without
any trouble o.
a big rush of business very soon Won't you please
step into the governors room? He wants to you.
A WEEK later Stirling decided that he needed
private secretary to take of his cOrrespon-
dence exclusively, and Lucys desk was moved into
of the big room he occupied The general mana
ger did not appear to be enthusiastic over the new
arrangement He noticed before long that the head OF
the firm of Stirling & Co. Qnc) had ceased to smoke
during office hours and that great change had come
him. His former gruffness of manner had d1sap-
peared and although the increase of business had not
been remarkable, he had given up the habit of going
away in the afternoons to play golf
1t apparent that change had come over Miss
Weston 1t seemed to Vance that she took pains to
avoid him. When it was necessary tor HIM to consult
his chief she managed to be busy to show by
look that she of his presence. One morning
he noticed big bunch of beautiful on her desk,
and returning to his department., lmpat1ently be-
rated the who had taken Lucy place and threat
ened to discharge him account of mistake he had
not made
WHEN Lucy got home that evening it was evident
w that something extraordinary had happened Her
cheeks were deeply flushed her eyes flashed with excite
men and before she had taken time to say word she
flung her round her mothers neck and kissed
her.
Momme,' she said "and promise that you will not do
anything to make unhappy.
"Why, Lucy, her wondering mother protested, have
| ever done anything to make you unhappy!
"You have never had any to until now. Some
THE SOULS QUESTION