The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-10-28

pneumonia in the early days of win
ter. and Lucinda was promoted to her
place. 1t almost took her breath
away. The salary was the same, but
the presence of the manager was
constant inspiration. For the first
few days she almost cried when she
left the office: but afterward things
began to go swimmingly Dixon, who
was kindly man, insensibly adapted
himself to the girls nature; they got
along very well. and even discussed
things in that afternoon interval
when office routine begins to slacken
You're doing very well. Miss Bar
rett," said the manager encouraging
ly And now I'm going to tell you
something. When Miss Kearney
leaves next month I'm going to ask to
have you made my secretary in her
place. at the salary"
Il didn't know Miss Kearney was
going" faltered Miss Barrett.
"Oh-well. it's sort of secret"
said the manager. smiling. but she's
going to be married. I'm glad she's
on the mend. poor GIRL
Yes said Lucinda And she al.
most danced out of the office that
night. Mabel's leaving was nothing
to Dixon. And he had resolved that
she should fill her place. He had
talked and joked with Mabel, and it
had all meant nothing!
It happened that that night Tom.
unable to endure his treatment any
longer, came to Lucinda's boarding
house. resolved to put his fortune to
the final test.
See here. Lucy" he said. taking her
hand in his Il guess you don't care
for me any more. I've tried my hard
est, but If | can't make you love me,
why, of course, I'll let you go. Do
you think there is any chance for me.
dear?"
Tom, you are so absurd"
But you have never answered me-"
Why should you poster me?"
Tom rose up with dignity and tooh
his hat. For the first time he was
really angry with her. Lucinda. see
ing his face, felt new awe of Tom
Il won't poster you any more
Lucy" he said. but I'm going tc
wait one month-just one month. for
you to find out If you can care for me
| think when you don't see me, per
haps then you'll be able to know bet
ter. Good-by. dear"
He was gone before Lucinda could
recover her breath. She stamped
when he had gone. and cried. How
she hated him!
And the days passed. There was
no doubt that Mr. Dixon really cared
for her. 1t was true he had been
then he cared nothing for Mabel, live
ly little beauty that she was. Lucin-
da felt that she had a great deal in
common with Mr.. Dixon. They drew
very close together in that time of
Mabels illness.
When the day came for Mabel to
resume her place, and Lucinda was
relegated to her old desk, she antici-
pated the time when she would per-
manently be Mr.. Dixon's secretary.
She felt that love such as she hoped
to inspire must be of slow growth.
But when she saw Mabel, less ami
mated now, taking Mr.. Dixon's notes,
she pitied her. She had tried and
lost. Lucinda omitted the Paris
gown, which, she had gathered, was
thought too stylish for business. She
could win on her merits now.
About week after Mabel's return
the manager called Lucinda to his
desk
It's all right about that position"
he said, extending his hand to her.
Miss Kearney leaves at the end of
the week, you know, and after we
come back from our honeymoon
what, didn't you know? Why, all the
girls have been chatting me for weeks
about tit"
Poor little Lucinda, shut up in her
FOOLS paradise
And l want you" went on the man.
ager. 81 told Mr. Jaffray you are the
most sensible girl in the Office and
that we get on famously together"
1t was the hardest effort Lucinda
ever made, not to burst into tears in
front of him. But that night, at
home. she realized the depths of her
folly. And, in her humiliation, she
sat down and wrote long letter to
Tom, telling him everything.
That this was the surest founda-
ton for winning back his love was
evidenced from the fact that Lucin-
da turned the tables on Mr.. Dixon
three months later, when she an
nounced her resignation ito get mar.