The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-09

naQ enQoO MS n0TauSuo, tueIo OuIy
one thing to be done. We must get
Miss Gregory married"
Yes, I've thought Of that" answered
Mobile, with melancholy demeanor.
you remember Cleaves, the cookbook.
ing bookkeeper we used to have?
moved his desk up next to hers. you
know. He had taking way with
women"
"He left, though" answered Black.
Yes. Dindn't give any reasons,
either. Well, Black. the only thing I
can think Of is for you to marry her."
Mel" shouted Black. Why, I'm
never going to marry. You marry her.
Mobile"
"I'll toss you for her." said Mobile.
feebly.
Nothing of the Sort" shouted Black.
You're a crabby old bachelor, Mob
BILE. It'll do you good to have wife
fine, spirited. capable, managing
woman like Miss Gregory. Besides.
then, she'll give up her position"
I'll see you" began Mobile, but,
without finishing the sentence, he re.
turned to his own desk and sat there.
absorbed in thought.
1t was singular thing, but the idea
of Miss Gregory as wife appealed
far more to Mr.. Mobile than as bust.
ness director. Mr.. Mobile suspected
that Miss Gregory might have quite
human characteristics outside the at
| mosphere Of Office work. In brief, be.
fore month had gone by he had ap-
preached Miss Gregory from another
angle and had fallen in love with his
| idea
| He did not say anything to Black,
and yet he began to be conscious of
new and almost unknown sentiment
ealousy-whenever he saw Miss Greg
, ory's pretty head in close relationship
, to Mr.. Blacks iron-gray one. Mr..
, Black seemed to be utilizing Miss
Gregorys services a good deal more
than he used to do. And presently it
began to dawn upon Mobile that he
had rival in Black.
If that was the case, he must es.
tablish his suit at the earliest moment
possible. And he chose a day when
Miss Gregory and he were to have a
consultation on the half-yearly bal
ance sheet.
miss Gregory" he began, when they
were seated together at his desk, "let
us put this matter by for a moment
There is something l want to say to
you. Did you ever think of-think of
getting-er-married, Miss Gregory"
Miss Gregory started and fixed her
blue eyes on his. And in them there
was Enthusiastically fear.
Put 1t In business way" continued
Mobile, nerved for his plunge. You
are attractive and capable. And you
know that marriage takes a woman
into her proper sphere, out Of the dis.
tracing details of business life"
Suddenly Miss Gregory did some.
thing that she had never been known
to do in her life before-she put her
handkerchief to her eyes and burst
into tears.
And, as Mr.. Mobile strove vanly to
console her, he heard the harsh voice
of Black hiss in his ears
You scoundrel!" Kissed the junior
partner. What do you mean by max.
ing Miss Gregory cry?"
Il didn't" exclaimed Mobile. But
suppose I did, what's that to you?
Don't pay her? Haven't got right
to make her cry If want to-"
mo, You haven't" answered Black,
ferociously. And I'll tell you why
Because 1t Is my intention to ask Miss
Gregory to become"
Miss Gregory" exclaimed Mr.. Mob.
BILE in anguish, be frank with US.
Think Of your long years of connection
with this firm. Let US all have heart.
to-heart talk together"
Miss Gregory raised her anguished
eyes and fixed them on each partner
alternately.
20. have done wrong. know, con.
cealing It," she wept. II meant to tell
you, but couldn't muster up courage.
And have come to you both 80 often,
prepared to offer my resignation, and
l couldn't hurt your feelings by doing
80. You never understood me-"
Miss Gregory" exclaimed both
partners simultaneously.
Every time I wanted to resign you
raised my salary, and how could I con-
fess that was q married woman and
wanted to be at home, when you
thought me so necessary to the firm?
l married Mr.. Cleaves eight months
. ago."
Miss Gregory" cried Mr.. Mobile,
deeply shocked.
Miss Gregory" walled Mr.. Black.
But I'll stay with you," she con.
tinued. 1T wouldn't be right to the
: firm. after all these years, to 60 away
from you-at least, not for year or
two longer, while you are getting used
to the idea. And now that Mr.. Mobile
has found me out, there Is going to be
a better understanding among us, and
l shall take a more earnest share In
the business"
And 1t was not until Miss Gregory
had gone away to powder her nose