Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-07-21
CHAPTER XII.
Two Interviews,


Francis Willett was doing rather
well, Mr.. Stacey told the young mans
father. He was faithful, ambitious,
prompt. His employer wanted to trust
him even more than he did. But there
was drawback.
THAT boy of yours" said Stacey,
sis as bright as they make 'em. He
has the commercial instinct"
Look here, Stacey" said Willett.
"If you think so we'll of the boy, |
could buy block of your stock, and
Francis could be my personal repre-
sentative on your board. 1t would be
a great thing for the boy, and he'd see
something substantial coming to him
in the future"
That's good proposition, john"
said Stacey, except for one thing; and
that's what I'm here to see you about"
"Well?" Somehow Willett felt a
queer little dread before Stacey spoke
again.
"I'll tell You, John. That boy of
yours Is too fond of-well-er-" Sta
cey made a significant gesture.
but he's living at home, Stacey. l
should know 1t, I'm sure"
"Don't fool yourself-or, rather.
don't let Francis fool you. He's fallen
in with crowd who so to the Waldo
mere to lunch every day, and when he
comes in for his afternoon work,
notice it. Lord love you, he'd be as
surprised as anybody If he knew
suspected. But, John, he's only boy.
and he's forming habit that may
do him tremendous harm. If he could
be made to promise to quit, and stick
to it for reasonable length of time.
I'd entertain that proposition of yours
mighty quick"
Stacey, what do you advise? I'm
at my wits end. I'm afraid I'll do or
say the wrong thing. Boys are so
touchy. and l might tip over the apple
cart. 1 tell you, it's terrible situa-
ton"
wait minute, John. There's some
thing else l haven't told you. 1t may
make difference. He's got girl"
"a girl? You mean"
'In the glove departmental little
beauty. The boy is fairly wild about
her. l catch him down there two or
three times week. In fact, | had
to caution him only yesterday. I can't
have him neglecting business for a
salesgirl. Last winter-I guess it was
in January-he borrowed my new
ri, II.
She lives out Hillside Falls way.
tell you. John, she's a beauty. Only,
of course, she's rather humble"
us her name Brown?"
81 believe so. Mary, think"
"Mary Alice. I've known her since
she was a little girl, and a smarter
child never lived. wonder If she's
as bright now?"
81 understand she's one of our best
salesgirls."
MARY Alice, Mary Alice" repeated
John Willett. what if l wonder
what his mother'd say"
II should think she'd be rather up
set. She's an aristocratic woman, your
wife"
Stacey, you know aristocracy goes
precious little way with me. This
girl saved my boy once. wonder IL
we can't get her to help us save him
again."
"She ought to be willing; he's a fine
fellow. But if"
"If what. StaceyY'
II was thinking of the girls own
happiness. You know how 1t is, almost
always, when woman marries man
to reform him. 1t doesn't work"
"All right, then; let her reform him
before she marries him. tell you,
Stacey. IL he wants that girl and can
help him get her. he shall have her.
provided he quits this foolishness. I'll
settle it with Mrs. WiIlett. Now / tell
you what. You send Mary Alice Brown
to see me, right here in this office. VIII
you do it?''
II most assuredly will, John. You
can depend on it,
That afternoon Mr.. Stacey-tte Mr..
Stacey-the merchant prince and all