The Washington herald., 1914-01-19

/ - ~ HssuS nnnn.uuno oouna, sksun =
~ h1nGuoGo - - young K119a -
sfrn4Ehtann1 many tnn01a cosructs6
many uietAkss. II neW clerk mAls (
btundo<. - was pafdenf and xcus1ne.
| r. ~ error yns preDeditAxed. the euIygit
qusilsd under hsr calm syesL The nsaa-
aGsment bad beeA saved from lcsss>
fhropgh her yatchfuinssA Che was ap-
preciatod
IN ths buaness World. people lsv.
awhy does SGrA wrishton 90 home for
lunch-rAin or shiner. Lizzie Morris
s'3aess she fnds an uneommonly eood
lunch waiting. She looks well fed. wss
tie nIppant re5oinder Of q junior clerk.
One stormy day. Lixsie said. 'Pleass
share my lunch, Mrs. Wrighton. I have
more than enough for twos''
THANK you. Lizzie. I must 80 homs.
am needed.
IIszis loneed to ask who needed her,
but something checked inquisitiyeness.
Had Lizzie followed. she would have
marked. the same quiet dignity In the
car. while the eye registered every little
incident. Reaching her street, she
stepped quickly. Nearer homo q smils
relaxed the features. the business mask
was slipping.
within the nat, mounting the stairs,
the mask fell Oh. Tenderness love. gen
tia softness, the light Of happy home
coming suffused the face. Some one
vhistied. A beautiful boy Of five opened
the door, iinging out his arms.
"a moment, darling. Wait till mother
takes on the wet things"
Leaving them in the hall, the bread
winner kissed the little one Hand-in-
hand they entered nving-room. simply
but tastefully furnished
Mary's eyes sought the Day ~indo~
where an invalid chair held her husband
her care and blessing. It was noble
face that rested against the cushions
you should not have come In the
storm, Mary. Robin and tried to teie-
phone to forbid It." the invalid scolded
"As IL could lose my best pleasure!
That kind little soul. Lizzie. offered me
half her lunch. too"
An arm went round the dear one. She
kissed the uplifted face The noon hour
held little time for sentiment.
Tying on an apron. Mary went to the
kitchen. The kettle was boiling. A
small table. with casters, was already
laid with snowy damask, flowers, ana
pretty china In an incredibly short time
tomato soup was hot, tea was made. cold
chicken. salad. fruit. and other essen-
tials were In place; then the table was
wheeled into the nving-room-
The noon hour repast was reduced TO q
science. Precious moments escaped so
/ fast It was a merry feast Mary
brought bits OF news of the outside world
Alan spoke of leading items in the morn
ing paper. He and Robin coaxed Their
household queen to eat heartily Fruit 1or
the stay-at-homes was always set aside
to finish later. Now they feasted ther
eyes on Mary.
| Lizzie would not have recognized the
disnified bookkeeper in her woman,
kingdom.
Time was fitting. The table was moved
to the kitchen: food WIS pu. away Mary
was gone. Later. woman came 10 90
necessary sork and prepare dinner. Com
manding a generous salary. Mary Kept
her precious ones In comfort.
Alan wrighton had never recovered
from the effects of a railway accident.
He was not resigned. Complete resigna-
tion would not come till hope was aban-
doned. 1t distressed him that his wife
Unjust be the breadwinner
Alan" sho had protested, ''it Is no
hardship to work. because 1t was my
lot before you gave me a home. Ours IS
big sorrow. but We must be bigger than
1t is"
No one knew the thoughts behind the
business face-the constant dread of
worse to come, softened by perfect love.
At o'clock she was free. Going home.
marketing and ordering wele done for the
morrow.
Mary was thankful for their child.
who cheered his father: thankful for the
large balcony where he played safely;
thankful when friends or relations looked
In upon them in the afternoons But
the precious evening hours were all
their owni 1t was after husband and
! child were settled for the night that
Mary did the many tasks that only a
housekeeper can imagine; work that
more fortunate women do In daylight.
She was fitted for the double burden
with perfect health. In three years she
had not missed a day in the Office But
one morning CONSERVATION fell on clerks
and heads Of departments when they
missed her at the familiar desk II was
as IL the big clock had stopped or the
| electric power gone on
Where is Mrs. wrightonF
MOT here yet"
AN hour later
The wonder grew. Mr.. Noble-the
senior partner. came with sheaf OF pa
pers, to be met by his son.
something has happened. father. Mrs
wrighton is not here Have you her ad-
dress?'
The telephone rang. Mr.. Noble picked
up the receiver.
yes, Mrs. wrighton. Very sorry.
Certainly. Mr.. Jones can take over your
work. Don't worry about the Office Let
us know what We can do for you. Busi-
ness Is business, but We are human. too.
Good-by.'
Turning to his son, the manager eI-
planned
Mrs wrighton's husband is danger
ously Ill. He has long been an invalid
sensitive about his dependence. I can
understand why a proud, kind woman
has not brought her home cares into the
business life. She's a wonderful woman"
An hour later. Mary felt the chivalrous
kindness of her employer when he and
his wife came to her aid.
Let my husband help you." the old
lady said. He values his faithful book
keeper. Don't worry about expenses
To look in the kind faces was COM
forting.
90 thank you, Mrs. Noble! have q
reserve fund for illness II only I may
work. when he is-better."
Under the touch Of sympathy the brave
lips quivered.
On the merchants advice. q great
.auo;ar;St u-as called in consultation With