Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-05

BY ISABEL FROST.

the office at all, that was the frst step
toward II. In the first place, she never
should have been employed in SUCH a
place as the Benzlnger Iron works. she
had walked through the outer gates
one early spring morning, the last Oh
a line of applicants, and had asked the
first worker she met what the superih-
tendent's name was.
"Frank Curzon," she was told. There
fore. instead Of waiting her turn, Betty
had marched valiantly up TO the book
keepers desk and had asked for Mr.
Curzon quite as If she we're paying
little afternoon call. And she got the
position.
The salary was only 50 week, out
there was no carfare to pay, ana the
factory lay just across the raiiroau
tracks from the pretty suburban neigh
borbood where she lived with her IA
Their and the four boys, all younger
than herself.
.rYou mustn't mind" she said that
evening. beaming on her docile home
circle at the supper table. I'm ter
rible cook, and this way can hire Ola
Mrs. Ransom to come in and work for
us by the day for 81 week. mat
leaves me five for myself. l am Mr.
Curzon's private secretary" =.
"What does he look likeT demanded
David. the eldest brother
"Well, he's rather tall, and possibly
thirty. more or less" Betty dished the
preserved cherries thoughtfully. And
very. very businesslike and short
spoken"
"But" said Dave sarcastically, swat
till he's Bettified."
It took about four weeks to Bettify
the whole office. 1t began with the
strike at the gray iron foundry across
the street. After the reserves had
been called out and the fight in the
wards was over, CurZon came back
looking rather tense and angry.
"Why didn't you keep out of range
when those fellows were firing at us|
he demanded of Betty.
81 wanted to see" answered Betty
baughtily. 1T was very interesting"
If was the end of the second month
that Curzon began to make up MS
mind. In the first place, he was am
bilious and had put all thoughts or
love or marriage out of his scheme of
life. The foundry was his life. And
still it was June, and Betty wore the
most enhancing, fluffy gowns to work.
absolutely unbusinesslike.
Likewise, at the lunch hour, Betty
had a tiny electric cOntrivance which
she calmly applied to the company's
switch, and on which she managed
somehow to concoct the daintiest and
most unexpected of luncheon dishes,
since there was no good restaurant in
n radius of a mile. And then she would
invite him to partake.
So one night toward the end of June,
when she had worked overtime, he
stood by the window of the office that
overlooked the gray iron building and
spoke gloomily, Enthusiastically.
"Of course, you know this can't go
on much longer"
"Are you trying to discharge me, Mr..
CurzOn?'
1--WE got to-" answered Curzon Slow
ly, returning her look with unswerv-
| ing intention. 1--WE either got TO fire
you or marry you. This can't go on
| can't think of anything under the
light of heaven but you, day or night,
and / want to work"
"Then, of course, l must leave" said
Betty, with her very incest, her very
kindest manner.
Betty" said CurZOn, in a curious
| voice, a voice of accusation and ap
peal, too. Betty, why did you evel
come to work here? l didn't want you
You know perfectly well you've seer
this coming on, and l believe you've
| gloated over it."
Nobody knows how far Betty's dig
nifty would have gone if it had no
been for the half-brick that came sail
| Ing through the open window. CurzoI
went down like hewn tree at hel
feet. When the ambulance arrived
4 III anu Allt NnSAllNtA NNAN
down the two strikers who had laiI
IN wait outside the office windows fo
a chance at the boss.
But inside the Office Betty knelt oil
the floor beside Curzon. She hat
washed and bandaged the cut on hi
brow and had pillowed his head on he
coat-the little pongee silk coat sh
wore TO work. And the young sur
geon, entering hastily, hesitated on tn
threshold, for Betty's hand was strok
ing back the hair from the patient
forehead with more than a nurselik
touch, and the upward gaze of hi
eyes was-as he told Jim later"
dead giye-away."
I'm not going TO work at the four
dry any longer" Betty broke the new
70 the family circle that night wit
tact and gentleness.
Thought II wouldn't last much lonl
| ffN1hn EfcnharUa