The broad ax., 1914-10-17

asked for her. He was received IN the
parlor. and Miss Mills came down. he
hemmed and hawed for q time and
then drew a long breath and began:
Miss Mills, would It do any good to
ask you to 60 to the theater with me
some night toward the last OF the
week.
I'm afraid not" she answered
But / can't make you out. You re-
fuse to 60 to lunch with me; you re-
fuse a raise Of salary; you refuse to
60 to the theater. VIII you tell me
why this ISL"
II will, Mr.. Brownlow. am from q
small town In the interior Of the state.
Ny mother is q widow, and we are
poor. am here to make a living for
both Of Us.
'T had two places before came to
you, but I had to give them up. because
Of Just such fiattery as you have be-
slowed upon me. They were not sat
isfied to let me do as good work as /
could for a fixed stm per week.
must give up my place with you for
the same reason"
But I don't see It." replied Dick.
Miss Mills looked at the young man
and perceived that he really did not
See It" Very patiently and In a tone
not at all angry she replied:
you are the Junior partner In the
house. I am your stenographer. You
want me to 60 to the theater with you.
We should see many people there that
know you Who am I? Your stenog-
rapher. What would they think and
say? Perhaps nothing to injure you
socially. but how about meT'
miss Mills" said Dick, getting up
and preparing to 60, 81 see now.
Thank you for the lesson. You have
made me realize something. and that
something is that must seem to you
like pompOus fool"
Without waiting for a reply he bade
her a ceremonious Good night" and
hurried away.
The girl watched him go with an ex-
pressionless face, but when the door
closed behind him she hurried to her
room and sObbed bitterly.
That she could not remain with the
firm was a decision that she made
without argument Indeed, she hesi-
tated next morning as to whether she
should 60 to the Office at all or merely
write surrendering her post.
Her sense Of duty conquered. When
she appeared Dick Brownlow did not
attempt to help her of with her veil
and coat, as he had tried before. In
stead he merely said Good morning"
politely and turned to his desk again.
Presently he stepped to her side and
began to dictate When he was done
he hesitated and said:
"Wm you pardon me II I recur once
more and for the last time to a per- |
sonal matterT'
Miss Mills, who had been trying to |
reach the point Of presenting her res
ignation and finding it very hard.
much to her own indignation at her
self, said 'Yes" almost inaudibly.
"Then." said Mr.. Dick Brownlow |
bravely, II will ask you not to resign. |
as know you intended to do. I could !
see 1t in your face this morning. II It |
viii make you more comfortable, Will |
arrange to have you transferred to my |
fathers Office, but II you would for |
give me and do me the honor Of trust |
ing me think can prove to you that |
you viii not make a mistake by stay |
ing In my own Office"
The girl looked at him with eyes
moist with tears II win stay" said
she.
Six months afterward the Son of |
Brownlow & Son entered the private
of1ce Of the head Of the firm and said:
Father, that Miss Mills didn't ex-
actly try to get hold on me, but she
has one for all that, and really think
Wen have to take her into the firm
and make it Brownlow, Son & Daugh-
ter"
II couldn't want a better partner"
said the head Of the firm.