El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-09-28
CBy Leslie Thomas.

"HE weedy youth glanced in from
the hail. but, catching Victor
Woodward's eye. slipped out again
rather awkwardIy.
You'll be engaged during the day, 1
s'pose, sir"' Mrs. Utley observed.
Yes. I'm in town. at business"
An, like my son. returned the land
lady. with considerable pride That
was George you saw, sir a minute
ago. He's at Chippenham's, and he's
got fine chance of rising. A good
boy, George is, I will say that. He's
never caused me any anxiety or bother
ever since his father died. He might
De a bit steadier. p'rhaps, but, after
II thisk Pu take the rooms" Wood
ward broke in, a trifle impatiently.
One evening, a little later, he was
passing a big block of buildings in the
west end-Chippenham Brothers well
known stores.
m, yes. young Utley's employed
here" he unused; then something else
attracted his attention.
A girl came out through the double
glass doors opposite and, encountered
with muff, a handbag an umbrella
and several packages, dropped one of
the latter by the curb. With an eX-
clamation, she stepped off the pave
ment, but the small parcel had rolled,
and she was needless Of the traffic.
approaching taxi. The driver had
damned on his brakes. but could not
have stopped in time.
The girls face was rather pale. She
thanked Woodward jerkily.
Il should be doing you Il far greater
service II I carried some of your be-
longings. VIII you allow me2 Oh,
don't mean to force my attentions
She looked up at him for a moment
criticisingly.
AFTER all, you saved me from
nasty accident. so perhaps" she
smiled suddenly should hardly re-
fuse. Take these two, please"
You've been good customer at
no; II work there. Not behind
the counter" she added quickly; I'm
in the offices"
You find bookkeeping interesting
Il deal with the correspondence
chiefly"
He left her reluctantly at the Tube
station. and as he walked home she
occupied his thoughts exclusively.
Of girl. No. no; that tame description
doesn't suit her at all. She's absolute
ly charming!''
When they met next day he pre-
tended that it was quite an accident,
though. as a matter of fact. he had
wasted a lot OF time in strolling up
and down. He nad prepared, too, an
excuse for addressing her
1T struck me that 1 know someone
else at Chippenhams-my landlady's
son. George UtIey. I wonder if you
ever run across him.
She shook her head.
There's such a large staff. and
really come into contact with very few
People"
I thought he might introduce us.
you see" Woodward VeDtured, with
mock gravity. "Oh, I'm forgetting.
though Hasn't taxi-driver done that.
already"
You think SOP
It's for you to decide Only, he
didn't mention our names
Apparently she had not heard, for she (
had to let the mater drop. He con-
suited George Utley IN the subject. but I
the youth did not recognize his descrip /
ton.
Z have nothing to DO with the typ
lists and tina part of the building.
By various maneuvers however /
v oodward had managed to encounter /
his new acquaintance a good many /
times before the evening he found Mrs. 1
Ltley in tears.
Why, what's wong? Is there any !
thing ! can dor
From the landIady's ha.f-incoherent /
speeches he gathered that something /
had happened to her son Presently /
she was able to explain more clearly
Hes been sacked, sir-dischergedi :
George, who always worked so hari I
ard well for EN-; who always brought /
me home best part of his wages every |
week, Discharged hiE without notice
that's what there been and done"
II very soTy t. hear l. 1t makes
a difference to You, [ expect"
You may well say that. sir I've
1een accustomed 30 his money coming
n regular, and that's HOY I've just
to make ends meet
But dare ssIy mel; soon get another
Job, said Woodward cCrlfC rtingly.
'Pr'aps. It's difficult eLcugh now
ldays. And, even then, il wouldn't be /
he same as working fer firm like |