Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-21

any comment. Why my own brothe
didn't know me! OF course after Nv
proven my worth. Mr. Knowles can
object If I put up my hair or leave OF
my glasses. shall be careful to keel
up the role of plain stenographer.
Miss Evie Barclay was an intelli
gent clerk, and in a short time ha,
become q helpful assistant to her bus!
employer. Neither old nor cranl
did he seem to the young girl whose
mind had always been appreciAtive o.
mental power and ambitious accom-
plishment. Mr.. Milton Knowles wa.
forceful, capable and well poised. Sh.
admired his stern dignity, his authori
tative manner, his crisp, certain deliv
cry. AS she sat taking his fluent dicta
ton, she would watch his sharp, darl
profile sometimes, and wonder how Il
! would seem to find his deep set eyel
! fixed attentively upon her. He a
ways seemed to be looking at her i'm
personally
EVE felt like smiling suddenly a
him; and then she knew she would
never dare to do It, She did not even
dare assume her natural appearance
Once while dressing she had pushed
back her hair and turned down hel
collar: but her frivolous aspect sent
her into q panic.
After awhile, Evie began to feel 10.
sentful. Working side by side with Z
man whom she admired; a man to
whom she would have chosen to ap?
pear at her best, it was rather trying
for the young woman to know that she
could not possibly seem less attractive.
II would drop it all, II 1t we're just
a matter of losing my position"
thought EVE, passionately, one day.
But what would he think Of me? It
would end our friendship forever?
So Evie moved about the office,
Industrious and prim; alert and smile.
less, a mere automaton in appearance
while she was inwardly raging.
One warm day, when she had dress
ed in white linen and the heat had
moved her to thrust back her fiat, low
drawn side locks, she caught her EN-
ployer looking at her with contracted
eye brows, frowningly, 1t seemed.
Miss Barclay, do you always wear
those spectacles?"
Eyes, oh yes, at work" said EVE,
with a blush.
II should think eye glasses would
be handler" He kept looking at her
and the blush kept spreading. Let,
me see those glasses. They don't
look very clear"
"The other kind won't stay on my
nose," faltered EVE.
The man looked at the clumsy spec
tacles critically. "Humph! Poor
glass; he commented. Don't you
know you can damage your eyes by
improper glasses? Look at
me-"
EVE reluctantly lifted her eyes, re-
alizing with a thrill of mingled fear
and Joy that they were her best feat.
IRE. AS her employer gazed into her
ovely limpid blue depths he started
visibly. What right had a plain steno-
yrapher to have such radiant orbs-
oansy blue, with dark trimmed iris
md long, curling lashes? The lids
dropped demurely, and the girls mouth
limpled at the corners.
81 don't believe you need glasses at
ILL.," Mr.. Milton Knowles spoke al
most Indignantly.
Sometimes think it may be hab-
t." murmured Evie. Perhaps I'd bet
Ter try to do without them for while.
Eyes, it's shame-I mean you
ought to be sure. And, Miss Barclar,
think white Is quite appropriate for
>ffice wear this hot weather"
The next day Mr.. Knowles asked his
how her eyes were feel
ng, and Evie looked at him frankly,
hat he might see for himself, while
he replied that they felt quite strong.
\ few days later, after dictation, her
employer remarked that he thought
women were inconsistent in their at
ire
Look at yourself, for instance
,lazing July day, yet you have col
ar up to your ears, and your hair
,ver them. You have ears, l suppose?
Eyes: oh yes!" Ewes smile came
nto unguarded play then. Her lips
curved mirthfully; her eyes danced;
sounds issued between her
raised fingers Mr.. Knawles
egard her searchingly.
{ Laugh if you want to. Are you
lfraid of me?"
mot just that, but IL don't want /
O seem frivolous
The mans glance followed her out
# his Office. He sat awhile, frown- !
ng and drumming his long fingers up. |
N his desk; then his dark face soften !
ID.
when it improves woman's looks
% much to laugh-why shouldn't she?
le thought.
After that there seemed to be diff.
erent understanding between Milton
Knowles and his stenographer. When
Ivie wore a low lace collar and her