The Tupelo journal., 1915-03-05
And he nerved himself to bear the

%reproaches of his partner.
Mobile" he said, when the other
had ended his %harangue. there's only
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? I
moved his desk up next to hers. you
know. He had q taking way with
women"
"He left. though" answered Black.
YES. Dindnt give any reasons.
either. Well. Black. the only thing !
can think Of Is for you to marry her."
Mel" shouted Black. why. I'm
never going to marry. You marry her.
Mobile"
"1n loss you for her" said Mobile,
feebly.
Nothing Of the sort" shouted Black
BILE. It'll do you good to have a wife
a fine, spirited, capable, managing
oma like Miss Gregory. Besides,
then, she'll give up her position"
"Ill see you" began Mobile, but.
without finishing the sentence, he re-
absorbed in thought.
1t was a singular thing, but the idea
Of Miss Gregory as a 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 a 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 q
new and almost unknown sentiment
jealousy-whenever he saw Miss Greg
ory's pretty head in close Relationship
to Mr.. Blacks iron-gray one MIR.
Black seemed to be utilizing Miss
Gregory's services a good deal moro
than he used to do. And presently it
began to dawn upon Mobile that he
had a 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.
n sheet.
Miss Gregory" he began, when they
YER 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 aver 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 it in a 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 vainly 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 l did, what's that to you?
Don't pay her? Haven't | got a right
to make her cry If l want to-"
mo, you haven't" answered Black,
ferociously. And I'll tell you why.
Because it 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 a heart
to-heart talk together"
Miss Gregory raised her anguished
eyes and fixed them on each partner
alternately.
20, l have done wrong, know. o n
cealing it" she wept. Il meant to tell
you, but l couldn't muster up courage.
And l have come to you both SO often,
prepared to offer my resignation, and
/ couldn't hurt your feelings by doing
SO. You never understood me-"
Miss Gregory" exclaimed both
partners simultaneously.
Every time I wanted to resign you
raised my salary, and how could | con-
fess that l was a 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. ut wouldn't be right to the
firm, after all these years, to go away
from you-at least, not for a wear OF