The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-14
NEVER TOO LATE SAYSWOMANWHO. HELPED HUSBAND.

There was an old maid in our of | nee. One might have thought she had passed the age when there was any nope of her getting married, but evil gently Miss Policy had not given up hope, She exercised many little arti- fAces to attract the men, but usually 1 eueceeded only in annoying them. As the business grew Miss Policy was unable to attend to all of the accounts, so a new bookkeeper was Aired to help out at that end, com- btning his duties with those of cash 1eES George Brooks, the new man was anything but prepossessing, being awk- ward, ill-kempt and shifty- eyed. In spite of physical defects, however, he WAS neat and accurate at figures and always on the job. He looked good to Miss Pelley. It soon got around that he was confirmed bachelor and it was evident that she had set her cap for him.
 iof course, being a woman, she was at disadvantage. He met her advances not unkindly, but never more than 8 fourth of the way. So far as their 1ellew-workers knew he never invited her to a picture show or other enter tainuent or spent any money for can- dy or flowers for her. This was not because he was stingy, for he was generally free with his money.
 Frequently as he stepped out into tho street she caught up with him and they walked few blocks together un- tiI their ways parted, Miss Policy do- Ina most of the talking and acting coy and sinpering. This was as far as the coprtship, or rather the acquaintance ship, went in the course of six or sev- n months.
 Then Brooks fell III. Miss Policy seeing an opportunity to do him a fa- vor announced that she would do his work. And she did, coming down no one knows how early in the morning and staying no one knows how late at night. When Brooks returned after 10 days her face was drawn, her com Nlexion gray, her homeliness verging on ugIiness She earned smile from Brooks; a curt word or two of grati- <udes That was alL But she was re- paid
 Shortly afterward the firms books were audited The auditor, a keen, ferretIike person, bad a session with the boss in the latter's private office Miss Pelley, scenting something arniss. found an excuse for going in there in order to catch a. word or two Q{ what was going on, but she came out again immediately. Since the au- astcEsa arrival she had watched him Nlth the intentness of a cat; now she aeened worried and Mustered.
 The boss called for Brooks. The beokkeeper had been hanging over hls ladger, looking about furtiVely and afEnlessfy dipping his pen into the ink well. but when the summons came he eteppede away nonchalantly enough. Ilss Policy sat outside the boss door, world of yearning, pity and appre- hensIon in her faeeJ while she rolled her Handkerchief into a little tight ball.
 Tn a quarter of an hour Brooks re- turned to the outer office He was limp, haggard, all in He went to hia desk, dropped into his chair and let his head fall down on his arms, Miss Pelley passed by him, touched his arm lightly with the tips of her fingers, and marched into the boss's office.
 short? she asked
 
 dolEars."
 If you will let him go." she said, Will make up the shortage< I have NRFlnea amounting to nearly that much. and there are some trfnkets which can sell to make up the dif- 4erence." She explained that she had Discovered that the accounts were wrong during Brooks illness and had oxriv aYa ifxy f0 make good the loss before 1t was &0und out. The unexpected coming ak the auditor had spoiled her plans.
 At first the men would not listen to 6eFs but she argued, pleaded, wept Weut down on her knees, and finally shey gave fn- She went out and told Brooks what she had done as simply Fl if she had been explaining 8 de- 4aa in the accounts. He listened with apk any show of emotion other than Strengthening of his fingers and a feW light in his eyes. Then he took 8ila coat and hat and walked out of fhe office never to return.
 MISS PeIley stayed on She had lost a7l of her coyness and sprightliness in tlae presence of men, Every week she received letter postmarked from a @nau town in Northern Minnesota, and these missives she handled ten deFly.
 Three months after the auditor writ Miss Policy resigned and not 3eag eftaFward a weekly paper in the town of the postmaTk brought back word of her marriage to George Bxnoka. 2 logging contractor"
 They have stuck together through thick and thin. slaved. saved, invest cd, and now have good sized bank account and a position of respect in their community. The marriage has been an unusually happy one.-R D., in Chicago Tribune