The Washington herald., 1915-07-26
DAILY SHORT STORY.
Her Proposal.
By SUSANNA GLENN.

The office of the Raymond Brothers
plant was insufferably hot for the first
of July. And the chief accountants
desk stood in the hottest corner.
His thin fingers trembled a little and
his pale face flushed as he FASTENED to
join the trim little stenographer who
waited for him beside her table -
I'm very sorry. but you will have to
excuse me tonight" he said. Il have
some work that must be finished"
Alice Kilborne looked at him with crit
zeal tenderness.
You are not At to work-at ALL" she
declared with a cheerfulness that did
not conceal her anxiety. You must not
work over hours this warm weather.
Come home. like a good boy!"
Richard Fitzgerald clutched his self
control with grim determination. No one
knew how he longed for this girls ten
der solicitude. And yet something in her
manner warned him that she did know.
and that she was puzzled and wounded
by his silence.
"Oh. very WELL" he said quietly. IT
don't feel just up to night work, for q
fact"
At his own desk he put away his
papers, saying over and over to himself:
I've got to make her understand. poor
little girl And I'd better do it now"
No refreshing breeze greeted them as
they emerged from the great building.
only the oppressive heat reflected from
pavement and brick walls. AS he Won
dered miserably how to carry out his
determination, fate played into his hand.
why" said Alice wonderingiy. did
you see that woman who just passed US!
1t looked like Sadie Waite
1T is Sadie-she is working down in
the silk mills" answered Fitzgerald
grimly. They have been having trou-
ble'
"oh. WHAT" cried the girl.
Waite gave out about a month ago.
He has worked like a machine in that
office for ten years. and he couldn't
hold out Now he Is worrying himself
to death. and Sadie is working in the
mill to keep things going. Tho poor
girl looks like shadow"
I'm so sorry" Alice's voice had the
sympathetic tone he loved in her. But
l am relieved. too. thought you meant
they had had-other kinds Of trouble.
This is bad. you know. but nothing COM
pared to that"
This is bad enough at any rate" de-
clared the man gloomily. and it leads
to all sorts Of other kinds. Do you sup
that?"
The girl smiled at him serenely.
Waite ought to have known bet
ter" said Fitzgerald. looking away
from that smile. He knew two years
ago that he was going down hill He
is like me-unable to stand the close
confinement, and too old to start into
anything else. He ought to have loved
her too well to marry herr
Tears blinded Alice Kilborne. So
that was the reason he never spoke?
Was he going down hill. too? She
remembered the trembling Of his
hand during the tedious afternoon.
''Oh, it is time took him in hand"
she whispered with a smile.
For a week Fitzgerald kept strictly
away from the little stenographer.
Then impslled by her reproachful
sadness. he caiieu one breathlsss
evening.
Il have wanted you 80 much" said
Alice Ali, gently I've great news to tell
The mans face showed the fight he
was making.
Mr. Raymond had talk with me
the other day. He says We may both
take a vacation until the first Of
five care to-"
"Alice," He was crushing her hands
In a desperate grasp. DON'T can
not trust myself"
But you can trust me. Dick" she
whispered with . sob.
mot to look out for your own
good" he cried. do you think II
would not have begged you long ago
to marry me. II ! could have taken
care Of you?"
but you win be all right II you
get out In the country and have q
rest"
That I cannot afford. dear child
Alice. there Is no use In talking-Il
win not drag you down like this.
There are toe many chances against
usr'
Then said ths g.sl ..yes Aavs put