Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-06-27
The Furry In
Wilkinson Office
Bv ESTHER VANDENEER

world. The evening after the funeral
she sat in the house '/here she had
taken care Of him for ten years since
her mothers death and wondered what
she should do.
She must get out of that lonely
house. 1t seemed to her that when
her father went out solitude stepped
in. And yet something snapped with
in her when she thought Of leaving it.
She could not go forth to battle with
the world us Il girl. Then came the
thought of entering the fight as a man.
Her voice was low pitched. but not
harsh. Her woman's figure might be
concealed by wearing loose. buggy
clothing. She had no beard. but many
young men had no hair on their faces
till nineteen or twenty years old and
even then so little that when close
shaved it was not to be detected. She
resolved to try the experiment.
A few days later u youngster who
called himself Henry Mccoy entered a
store and asked for employment. He
had been hunting for situation all
day and looked weary and discour-
aged. Possibly it was this that led
John Wilkinson. the proprietor. to say
to himself that he needed a boy. but
not a man. but there was chance for
promotion. 1t ended in the applicant
going to work Mt boys wages. his
work being to do errands and odd jobs
in the Office.
Henry Mccoy was very attractive
co1 iv, 5O1
His smile alone was enough to win
the sympathy Of any woman. and it
soon won the heart Of WilkinsOn's
typewriter. little Miss Betty Leslie.
only seventeen years old. Henry ut
first was disposed to be friendly with
her. as he was with every one. doing
little favors for her that lightened her
work. but when he saw that these at
tentions were producing serious ef-
feet on her young heart he desisted and
strove to undo what he had done by
letting her severely alone. This. how
ever. only intensified her love for him.
and she was not capable of conceal
ing It.
Wilkinson was young man. only
twenty-five years old. He had begun
business for himself at fifteen by set
ting up a newspaper stand on street
corner, which had grown into a general
store where newspapers. periodicals.
! stationery and an infinite variety Of 9th.
er small goods were sold. He was un-
married and was making up his mind
at the time Mccoy entered his service
| that his little typewriter would look
very pretty ut the head Of his table.
1t was a great disappointment. there
fore. when he noticed that Miss Leslie
was leaning toward Mccoy. Mccoy
noticed signs of jealousy. and it was
this that led him to show unmistaka-
bly, that IL the girl had gone daft about
him 1t was not his fault. Wilkinson
was a manly fellow. who would not
take any advantage of his position to
win girl from rival. but the fact
that the girl he wanted wanted Nc
Coy was CALLING to him.
And SO 1t was that in the store OF
John Wilkinson. which had been a har-
monious place before the advent Of Nc
Coy. there came IN inharmOnious un-
dercurrent. felt, but not expressed. The
bOokkeeper. Tom Arnold. a young man
! twenty-five years old. who had in the
beginning noticed that there was trou-
BILE brewing for Mccoy If he did not
keep away from the typewriter, gave
Henry hint to that effect Cant
blame the girl. my boy" he said. "for
il l We're girl think Id fall in love
with you myself" Henry said he had
discerned the boss leaning toward Miss
Leslie. but he was much obliged for
the suggestion and would leave the
way open for Wilkinson.
There is no telling what girl In
love will do. especially when the man
she loves gives her q cold shoulder.
Miss Rettie Leslie wore lugubrloua
countenance and was so preOccupied
by her love affair that she did her
work very badly. When Wilkinson
asked her what was the matter she
was silly enough to lay the blame
upon Henry Mccoy. but when pressed
for the details of her bad treatment
by him declined to make any charges.
Matters were now in very bad shape
in the little Office of John Wilkinson
XAlSS l-cSiC XVI ~ WOEhCu up tuUI sue
resigned her position. Mr.. Wilkinson
forced to surmise that Mccoy had
been treating his typewriter badly
how he knew not-to!d him that he
had no further use for his services
Mccoy. instead Of taking the matter
phlosophically. burst into tears. Tom
Arnold. who was standing ut his desk
posting his ledger threw down his per
and advanced upon his boss shaking
his fist and demonstrating with him
for his injustice.
Bette Leslie" he said. had nc
business to accuse Harry. He never
did her any injury"
"IIe didn't" retorted the boss an
grily.
Then what are you discharging him
for:"
II don't know"