The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-09-02

had gone into the upbuilding &C lie
business. Nuttall was machinemade
man. Under Nuttall the prestige Of
the old firm would soon be lost. But
Nuttall did not understand.
Days went by and weeks; and grad
ually 1t became apparent that the COLO
mel would not be able to remain long
out the truth to Miss Slavin one Sat
urday. as she sat In his room taking
dictation from him.
"My doctor tells me I may have
twenty years before me-" he said.
But I've got to give up work. I've
got to turn affairs over to Nuttall.
hate the thought of leaving you all
especially you. Miss Slavin."
Miss Slavin. working diligently over
her notes. did not say a single word.
DO you know you have come to me
every week for ten years, Miss
Slavin?" inquired the colonel present
. ly. Except during your vacation. you
haven't missed a week. And the 9TH
ers-how hard and faithfully they
have labored. I'm afraid Nuttall will
want to replace them-and l can't
hold out on that point. can l, Miss
Slavin? And I'm a poorish man, you
know. Yes. I've spent and lost money
inexcusably don't see-what l can
do"
His voice trailed off as he went
cropping back over his past. The firm
,, had been all his re, and it had had
all his devotion.
Now you know as much about the
business as do, Miss Slavin." he con-
tinued presently. IF only"
He got out of his chair and placed
one hand in fatherly way upon Miss
Slavins shoulder.
do you think you are too young to
learn to care for an old man Of sixty
four?" he asked
"O!" gasped Miss Slavin, turning as
red IS rose. She stared at him In
bewilderment-and then, turning, she
fairly ran out Of the room.
Half an hour later Miss Slavin,
breathless, found herself in the office.
She was still completely flustered, and
at first she did not realize that some.
thing was wrong.
What is it," she asked, when she
had recovered her breath.
We're all to go. first of the month.
answered Peter Train.
| "What?" exclaimed Miss Slavin.
Fact. The colonel has Just tele
phoned Nuttall he's willing to sell
Miss Beardsley heard him on the tele
phone. And that was Nuttall's very
first act-the mean dog! Why. he
didn't even wait to assure himself that
he had bought the business-just had
his secretary come over and give III
notice."
But" gasped Miss Slavin.
Miss Slavin!" shouted an ONCE
boy. mr.. Brooks wants to see you
Brooks was Nuttall's secretary, anG
his faithful servitor. He was a sleek
faced, smooth-haired man Of about five
and thirty. He looked up quickly a.
Miss Slavin approached his desk.
Miss Slavin," he said, "Mr. INITIAL
is about to buy the business and con
templates change in the staff. There
will be no further need for your serv
ices"
Miss Slavin tried to speak calmly
"After the month";" she inquired, feel
ing her heart throb dreadfully.
mo, after five minutes" Responded
Brooks suavely. "Your salary will con
tinue to the month end. That's all
Good morning."
It was not for herself she cared
Miss Slavin could take care of herself
She could get another position just al
good; and she had saved over a thou
sand dollars. No. 1t was for the "boys,
as she always called them; Gregson
with his white head, and Andrews
and Peter Train.
Suddenly she walked across to ont
of the telephone booths. "Give mi
the Chancellor hotel" she told the op
orator. Colonel Green, please. Hello
Colonel, this is Miss Slavin!"
Miss Slavin heard a muttered excla
nation at the other end of the wire.
II have been thinking over YOU
proposition of this morning, she said
Say! Do you know Mr.. Nuttall hal
already given notice to all the de
partment heads?"
mol" exclaimed the colonel In {
shocked voice.
II thought II you hadn't signed thu
contract l might accept your propo
ition," continued Miss Slavin.
you mean that?" cried the cOlonel's
voice incredulously.
Eyes! But see here! I'm a hare
woman, and l drive a hard bargain
I'm going to take over your interest
and run the office with your authority
And there will be no discharging. Now
what's your word?"
Eyes! Yes! Yes!" exclaimed the
colonel's voice.
If the little Miss Slavin was a hard
woman her face certainly did not bear
out this suggestion, for 1t was the
color of beet; and moment later
it had turned deathly pale as, with un