Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-02
Evening Story
THE END OF THE DAY.
BY Philip kean.
Copyright, 1912, by the Associated
Literary Press)

while at lunch and came back trem-
bling. Judge Reed has advertised
for another private secretary"
Miss Sewel1 had been the judges
private secretary for ten years. She
had always seemed satisfactory but
now she was to be usurped.
Miss Sewell, In spite Of the agoniz-
ing shock. made excuses for the judge.
"He probably wants a younger per-
son." she decided. But she ate no
more lunch, and her hands were not
steady as she sat near the judges
desk to take the afternoon dictation.
He noticed the shaking hands, and
leaned back in his chair, and asked:
Aren't you we'll? Or has somebody
hurt your feelings?' .
The judge had such wonderful intui-
lions. He always seemed to know
when things went wrong in the other
room, where half dozen clerks-a
little jealous of Miss Sewells in
fluence with the judge-ignored her
gentle efforts at peace-making, and
pricked her with their comments.
But now it was the Judge who had
hurt her, so Miss Sewell- said steadily,
Perhaps it's the weather. 1t was so
warm in the lunch room"
"And I'll wager you didn't eat any.
thing" The Judges tone was accus'
ing.
CT ordered a glass of milk" said
Miss Sewell, "but didn't drink it."
THERE knew it," said the Judge.
He picked up the telephone, and be.
fore she could stop him, Miss Sewell
heard him ordering chicken send
viches and tea from an adjoining
tearoom.
Il haven't had my lunch" he in
sisted, when Miss Sewell protested.
When the lunch came, Miss Sewell
was aware of the curiosity and envy
CT the other clerks. The thought de.
pressed her. She had tried to make
them like her. She had tried to be
faithful to her duties, and to please
the Judge. She knew that she was
thirty-five, and very little and quiet,
but she had hoped that she had made
little and quiet place in their
hearts. But now 1t was all over, and
she must seek work elsewhere, must
encounter strangers, sit at new desk.
And thinking thus she forgot to eat.
Now" the judge said you haven's
touched that sandwich, and your tea
is getting cold. You've got something
on your mind, Miss Mary"
It was only now and then thar be
called her Miss Mary, and Miss
Sewell always liked it when he did.
It seemed to indicate that he had a
friendly interest in her, and she had
always been glad to feel that she
was his friend
eyes, she said, 81 have something
on my mind Butt can't tell any.
body about it-please don't ask me-"
her lip quivered. "please-dont.'
Surely not" the Judges, keen eyes
were upon her dropping figure. But
you're not going to work any. more
today '1'm going to send you home
in my automobile, and If you don't
feel better tomorrow you'd better not
come down.
Miss Sewell felt that her death
KEEL had been sounded. If she didn't
come: down he would have some one
else to do her work. He didn't need
her Nobody needed her. She rose
and took up her pencil and notebook
with shaking hands. 81 guess I'll go
home" she said. Il can't stay
here"
He opened the door for her as she
went out, and Miss Sewell. hurrying
past the glances leveled at her III the
cutter ONCE, put on her hat In little
alcove and crept downstairs to find
the Judge before her. "Tony will
take you home, he said, and helped
her into the great red car; land don't
you come back till you are feeling
better"
She held out her hand to him.
Thank you SO much" she said. "but
maybe won't come back at all"
The Judge stared at her why
not ?" he demanded, imperiously.
Miss Sewell's head was held high.
A sudden courage had come to her.
If, he wanted to get rid Of her she
would save him the trouble. She
might be meek and quiet, but she had
some spirit left
II think. Judge Reed" she said,
that you'd better get some one /.
my place. Then she spoke to the
chauffeur, 81 shall have to be get
ting home" she said, leaving the
Judge to stare after her
Miss Sewell curled up comfort
ably In a corner of the car, felt a
strange sense of triumph. She didn't
dare look into her future, but she
had, at least, met the present proudly
But when she was alone in her
room, she felt ALI her citation oozing:. !
She wondered what the Judge would
think. In the tiny hall bedroom OF
her boarding house she accused her
self of many things.
About 8 o'clock she was called to
the telephone. The Judge at the
other end was peremptory. 81 shall
want you in the morning"
"You'd better get some one else
said Miss Sewell, II shan't be down."
With hasty ejaculation, the judge
rang off.
The next morning the big red car
stopped in front Of the door.
Il want you to take ride with me-
said the Judge, when Miss Sewell en-
tered the shabby parlor, "and tell me
what you mean by leaving me like
this"
'I'll take the ride" said Miss Sew
ell. "but I'm not sure that I shall ex.
plain"
H. @~If<