The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-15
THE EVENING STORY
The Useless Ornament.
(By Annie HinrichSen.)

"But, governor" protested Gerald
/ Devon, ST don't want a woman in this
I department."
''You will have to have one," an
swered the governor. Helen Norris
| is a daughter of the late Senator Nor
ris in his day one of the greatest
men in the party. She has been left
| penniless and is compelled to support
| herself. For her fathers sake, I shall
/ give her an excellent position in one
| of the state departments. She is IN
| eXperienced-never has worked. She
| is young, beautiful and charming
81 don't want beautiful, useless
| young women in this department, :"
persisted Devon. 'They are more in
! terested in themselves and in the men
| in the office than they are in their
work. They are nuisance. And,
/ governor, an inexperienced girl will
| get all into trouble"
''See to it that she makes no breaks.
You will be responsible for her. Train
| her."
perhaps she will get married"
suggested Devon hopefully. ''Those
1 pretty, useless girls never work long.
| They marry. 1 hope one of our boys
| falls in love with her and takes her
away before she makes mistake that
will ruin us all.
The publicity department was main
tanned for the purpose of placing be-
fore the people of the state, by means
of the newspapers, all the work that
was being done by the administra-
| ton. The department kept the peo-
pie of the state informed of the policy
of the party in power, of the achieve
| ments and personalities of their poll
ticians. 1t was an advertising bureau
which showed the people the political
lives of the men they had elected.
The department was in charge of
Gerald Devon, a trained newspaper
man.
Devon's greeting to Helen Norris
when she reported to him for work
was that of a host to a welcome guest.
He showed her to an deliberately APP
pointed desk. On the desk were sew
eral popular novels and box OF
candy.
In a few minutes she came to him.
when do 1 begin work?" she asked.
Beneath the quiet courtesy of her
voice there was a note of determine
ton.
you are not supposed to work.
Devon answered. You are to orna-
ment the department"
Miss Norris walked to her desk,
picked up the books and the box of
candy brought them to Devon's desk
and dropped them into the waste
paper basket.
.'When do go to work." she re-
peated quietly.
Devon caught the determination in
her voice. ct, will be my pleasure,
in your new duties"
For a month Helen Norris had been
in the publicity department.
81 still insist Gerald Devon said
to her, that you should be an orna-
ment and not a worker. You are do
ing splendidly,' he added hastily as
her lips frightened with unmistakable
indignation. you are a woneder.
You have learned the business quickly
and we'll. But L don't want you iii
the department. L want you his
keen eyes had lost their hardness and
his firm lips We're very GENTLE
want you in my own home as my
wife. L love you. Helen. I have
loved you ever since you came here.
Don't speak to me-" Her face was
white she stood before him. her
hands clencned tightly at her sides.
Don't ever aeain tell me that you
love me- She spoke slowly with an
emphasis which made each word
distinct command. Before he could
answer she had left the room.
An hour later a clerk come to her
desk Il have come for the copy that
is to go to the afternoon papers," he
said Mr.. Devon said it was on your
desk.
Helen handed him a large envelope
The afternoon papers exploded
bombshen in the political party that
ruled the state. The announcement
mined to introduce certain measures in
the legislature. The legislature was
not in session and would not be for
several months. The announcement
was equivalent to a declaration that
the chief executive intended to call
special session to enact the measures
The ink was not dry on the papers
before the entire state was wondering
why q special session of the legisla
ture was to be called.
Gerald Devon answered a summons
to the governors Office.
WHO is responsible for this an
nouncement?'' The governors voice
had the ring and his eyes had the color
of cold steel.
81 am, your excellency. I am guilty
of criminal carelessness. You outlined
to me your plans for certain legisla-
ton to be enacted at next winters
session. l wrote the plans and laid
them aside to be used next winter. To-
day. instead of the story on other mat
ter which I had prepared for the pa
pers. I gave them. by accident, your
plans.''
Accidents, Devon, are never for
given in the publicity department. The
man who makes a break like this new
er has the opportunity to make an
other
IT know it, your excellency. I came
prepared to offer you my resignation"
You did it yourself, Devon? 1t was
not one of your cleks?''
1.-The fault was mine, SIR
The door opened. Helen Norris !
walked up to the governors chair. |
Governor Hay" she said II have !
come to tell you that I am to blame |
for the story that is in the papers. !
Mr.. Devon often gives me the copy for |
final corrections before it goes to the |
papers. I knew that the legislative |
story was to be held back. L gave it |
b., 49, l. <11.-1- H. -
the papers.
Mr.. Devon says he did it,