Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-14

But, governor" protested Geral
Devon, "I don't want woman il
this department"
"You will have to have one" ar
, swered the governor Helen Norri
is daughter of the late Senator Mo-
ris, in his day one of the creates
men in the party. She has been lef
penniless and is compelled to supper
herself. For her fathers sake, shall
give her an excellent position in on
!, of the state departments. She is in
experienced-never has worked. Sh
is young, beautiful and charming"
II don't want beautiful, useless
persisted Devon "They are more in
terested in themselves and in the mel
in the office than they are In theil
work. They are a nuisance. And
governor, an inexperienced girl viii
be sure to make a serious break anc
get us all into trouble
See to it that she makes no breaks
You will be responsible for her. Trair
her.
perhaps she will get married,
suggested Devon hopefully. Those
pretty. useless girls never work long
They marry. l hope one of our boys
falls in love with her and takes he.
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 newspaper, 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, trained newspaper
| man.
Devon's greeting to Helen Norris
when she reported to him for work
was that of host to welcome guest.
He showed her to an deliberately ap-
eral popular novels and a box of
candy.
In few minutes she came to him.
when do I begin work?" she asked.
Beneath the quiet courtesy Of her
voice there was a note of determina-
ton.
"You are not supposed to work, v
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 I go to work." she re-
peated quietly
Devon caught the determination In
her voice. 'It will be my pleasure"
he said, ito instruct you Immediately
in your new duties"
For a month Helen Norris had been
in the publicity department.
II still insist" Gerald Devon said
% her, that you should be an orna(
,.,ant and not worker You are dos
ing splendidly," he added hastily as
her lips frightened with Nunmistakablc
indignation. you are wonder,
You have learned the business quick
ly and we'll. But l don't want you in
the department. I want you" his
keen eyes had lost their hardness and
his firm lips were very gentle Il
wife. | love you, Helen. l have
loved you ever since you came here.
Don't speak to me-" Her face was
white. She stood before him, her
hands clenched tightly at her sides.
Don't ever again tell me that you
love me-" She spoke slowly with an
emphasis which made each word q
distinct command. Before he could
answer she had left the room.
An hour later a clerk came to her
desk. II 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 large envelope.
The afternoon papers exploded a
bomb shell in the political party that
ruled the state. The announcement
was made that the governor had de-
termined to introduce certain meas
ures in the legislature. The legisla
.ture was not in session and would not
be for several months. The announce
ment was equivalent to a declaration
that the chief executive intended to
call a special session to enact the
measures.
The ink was not dry on the papers
before the entire state was wondering
why special session of the ,legisla-
ture was to be called
Gerald Devon answered sum-
mons 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. l am guilty
of criminal carelessness. You outlined
to me your plans for certain legisla-
tion to be enacted at next winters
session. wrote the plans and laid
them aside to be used next winter.
Today, instead of the story on
other matter which I had prepared
for the papers, gave them, by acct
dent, your plans
Accidents, Devon are never for
given in the publicity department.
The man who makes a break like
this never has the opportunity to
make another"
II know it, your excellency. I
came prepared to offer you my
resignation
uvo,, d;d - yn,,r,olf noyopo II