The Green Forest tribune., 1915-08-20

tnlnk-" The idea was preposterons
 Dld you think I wanted to make 1T
 harder for you?" he asked. HIS arms were about her. and she
 was weeping upon his shoulder. Her
 neiplessness stirred him deeply. He
 Kept hls arm tenderly around her AS
 they walked to the elevator. l am going to see you to your
 nome, Lucy" he said
 That was the beginning of their real acquaintance. But in the factory they
 continued to appear as strangers. This
 love that had come to them was too sweet, too intimate for public knowl. edge.
 1t had been the simplest thing in the world. There never was any Tor. nal declaration. That night, as they parted, she raised her lips to his. more like sister than a sweetheart. On Sundays he took her on a trolley into the country. And they began to dream about the future.
 The irony of that bit into Toms soul. Suppose he managed to get if. teen dollars week ultimately! There was no promotion out of the pattern department. It was blind alley; the only man who got more than fifteen was the foreman, and his wage was tWenty-three. Boys came into the fac tory and drifted out to other jobs. Girls entered, to marry, or
 well, they disappeared after time, as the young men did. Tom had been there longer than any other.
 At last he told Lucy frankly of his fears.
 There's nothing to it at all," he said. And I don't know what to do. l guess Pm not fit for anything else, except laborer's job maybe. 1 came from country town, and my folks never amounted to much there I had letter to Devoe. He put me where I am. I'm just one of the wastage, Lucy"
 "No!" she cried. You are worth all of them put together, dear And you are going to succeed. know you are"
 "I will" he said, with clenched hands
 But how? At tWenty-two he was as helpless in the heart of this grinding civilization of commerce as a savage might be. He saw rich men every where, men who rode in automobiles, who stood, in evening dress, at the theater entrances. How did they get their chances? And why couldn't he?' Say, Rogers, did you hear Brown is going to leaye?" asked one of the men at the factory one day. "Got ten job with the Women's Cloak and Skirt people. Devoe's pretty mad at losing him, guess, but everybody in his department is look ing for Browns job"
 Ten thousand dollars year! Tom felt a surge of disgust within him. He could have done as well as Brown. And he knew the business from the bottom up. He had not been there four years for nothing! And Devoe had lied to him.
 During the lunch hour he went into Devoe's office, passing the swing door that separated the factory from the sales department for the first time in his life. He was burning all over with anger against the man.
 He walked past the office boy, straight into the room where Devoe was seated alone, his feet on the table, looking out of the window.
 You haven't told me the truth!' he heard himself crying in fury. You told me four years ago there would be a chance for me. When's it coming off? Why don't you give me MT. Browns place?"
 Devoe took down his feet and flush of anger, which crept over his face. was succeeded by amusement as he looked at the despairing figure be- fore him.
 My dear boy, who are you? l don't know you from Adam" he said.
 Tom thought he was lying. T brought you letter four years ago. and you said you wouldn't forget me, and that you tried out new men on the road" said Tom.
 Devoe was interested. want chance on the road. eh?" he asked Well, you might have had it several times. Why in thunder didn't you re- mind me? Think I've got time to waste on every jake that brings ne a letter."
 Well, want it." answered Tom hotly.
 "Think you could sell patterns to the ladies' eh? Got nice suit? Got a. smile? Know how to jolly em along? Say, if you've waited four years for this, and allowing that you've got forcefulness about you, I don't know as I won't give you a chance. Not Browns job at present, young man. But if twenty per, and commission looks all right to you for B. starter, you can come back this art ernoon and I'll talk it over with you.
 And Tom found himself back In the empty pattern department. His head was whirling. Twenty and a commas
 =, y1ylo+ caIac ha would make! 1