The record., 1914-02-05

from the public schools. Also she
was ambitious and belonged to liter
airy clubs. Once she had piece in
the Daily Palladium. II was in the
form of communication, was nearly
a column long and was signed with
her name in full. Minnie Minerva Car
son. Il was entitled The Status of
the Women OF Ancient Greece Com
pared With That of the American
Women of To-day" Bob had seen it
and treasured the paper among his
few valuables. Had he heard the com
mcnt of the editor of the Palladium.
Il don't know what in thunder it
means, but we've got to give the
vCmen a show o. down goes the cir
cuiation," he might not have felt so
much awe.
The one great thought the piece in
the paper gave Bob was that to ac-
quire this divinity he would have to
lift himself to a plane somewhat ap-
preaching hers. He was confirmed in
this idea by overhearing bit of con-
versation between Miss Carson and
Stokes, the assistant secretary of the
company, who was very sweet on
Miss Carson.
One day they stood near where Bob
was working and he overheard their
conversation. 1t was all about books
and authors and plays and philosophy
and poetry and theories of life and
| things of which Bob had very dim
/ comprehension. But his love was
J overmastering and when once he rec
ognized his passion he set about find
ing way to crafty it with the same
dogged persistence that had made him
the best workman in the shop. Grasp
ing the idea that learning was the
first step to put him within hailing
distance of the maiden of his choice,
he enrolled himself in a night school
and began slowly to master the rudi-
ments.
In the meantime Stokes had been
intrenching himself more and more in
Miss Carson's heart. He was hand
some, college bred, of n good family,
with a position in the best society.
drawing a good salary and with every
reason to anticipate rapid advance
ment and a liberal inheritance. 1t
was altogether natural that Miss Car
son should regard him with favor.
But Bob knew that Stokes was not
all that the husband of Miss Carson
should be and he bided his time. His
opportunity came. He was waiting
for a street car one day when Stokes
came down the street. Just as he was
passing Bob woman met him. She
greeted him with broken-hearted
cry.
Harry, Harry" she cried "Oh
where have you been? Why have you
deserted me?"
Stokes pulled the pathetic, weeping
creature into a hallway out of sight.
but Bob could not help hearing what
was said
You promised to marry me, you
know you did, hundred, five hundred
times. And after it was too late you
ran away and | found that you had
lied to me and that l do not even
know your real name"
What Stokes said was in so low a
voice Bob did not hear It, But the
woman replied:
II don't want to be taken care of in
that way. | want an honest name for
myself and my child. / can work my
fingers Off for food and shelter, but |
want an honest name-and | want
you, Harry, because love you"
Stokes said something else and they
went up the stairs in the Office build
ing.
"Mr. Timmins."
Bob turned and encountered a white
face close to his. 1t was that of Min
ME Carson. She evidently had heard
the conversation i'm the stairway. His
heart gave great. triumphant leap.
WAS that Mr.. Stokes talking to
that girl in there? I came along Just
after they vert in. From the glimpse
got | thought IL was he. Was it?''
Fob never thought so fast in his
, life. As he looked into the anxious
eyes and drawn face of the girl he
realized in a fash that she loved
: Stokes and that the truth would
: break her heart.
mo, it was not Stokes" he said
: simply
Thank God" said the girl, break
ing Into q sunny smile. THANK you
: and pardon me for my idle curiosity"
And she tripped lightly down the
street, leaving Bob with leadea
lhesft.