The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-12-27
WAKING UPl
BY LOIS MERTON.

HOA l. years ne nau Deen c0OpeU
up In gloomy room fronting a blind
court, porting over the books of Nor.
ton & Co. His routine had never
known break. At eight in the MORN
Ing he got up on his high STOOL at
twelve he ate a small lunch, at FIVE In
the afternoon went TO q cherries
apartment in cheap boarding house,
and at nine to bed.
His salary was liberal one, and he
saved money. What he was living for
except 10 provide for his old age, he
never tried to figure out. He was
shut away from the brisk, varied bus
tie Of the counting room. Perhaps the
only person he spoke to during the
day was his stenographer, Miss Ethel
Thorpe, who occupied a wire box of
an office adjoining his own.
He spoke to her now. It was early
morning. and Miss Thorpe regarded
him with wonder as he appeared. the
tasteful dresser complete, an entirely
new Jasper Fairfax, looking more the
typical business man than the desk
drudge.
81 am going away, Miss Thorpe" he
announced, so overwhelming an event
in his life that he appreciated her
startled look.
"Not-not for good" questioned she,
a quick flutter In her tones.
81 don't know" responded Jasper.
"The house wishes me to look over
their branch at Bolton. You see, I
told them last week that had saved
up a little, and felt that / needed q
rest. They seemed really anxious to
keep me in their service"
mo wonder" said Ethel.
"They asked me to visit the branch
office, and offered me larger salary
If will take charge of 1t. OF course
that would take me away from the
smoke and CRIME and turmoil of the
city, but I've always had my Ideal
a neat, pretty, country place, fresh air,
running brooks, birds, sunshine, and
and-well, vegetables and flowers"
II shall be lonely when you are
gone" Her head dropped. He saw a
teardrop fall, and stared. And thrilled,
tool
"Well, I declared" he exclaimed, 81
never thought anybody In the world
ever gave poor, humble, homely me a
second thought. Oh, you won't miss
me after a day or two. There'll be a
new man In my place."
at won't be you," insisted Ethel sad
ly. SIT was you who selected me
as your assistant from fifty others,
and gave my wavering heart cheer and
hope. You have taken time to give
me advice when needed It,"
IT declare" repeated Jasper, and
he rubbed his chin reflectively.
'It makes me homesick, too, when
you speak Of Bolton" went on Ethel,
"My mother lives only four miles out
of that town. Oh, Mr.. Fairfax, II you
should take charge of the branch, and
I could be transferred near motherw
"Say," he observed, trifle huskily,
"you cheer up, maybe I'll take that po-
sition, after ALL"
And so hard was Il to get Ethel out
of his mind, that, after Jasper had
reached Bolton and inspected the
plant, he looked up Mrs. Thorpe and
one morning started down quiet coun-
try road to reach the home Ethel told
him about. The pretty, old-fashioned
house nestled In a charming environ
ment of garden and greenery. Mrs.
Thorpe welcomed him.
ooh, indeed, we know you, Mr.. Fair
fax, my son and I ~ declared the widow
warmly. Scarcely a letter from the
city that Ethel does not tell Of all the
kindness you have shown her." and
there were other condolences.
A heavy rain came up, and the Wild
ow insisted that Jasper stay all night.
tits Ethel's room when she comes
home for vacation" she told Jasper.
As he arose next morning and found
no shaving paper, he began searching
about for a fragment that would do
for the occasion. He opened bureau
drawer, to find 1t empty except for
two or three letters. He selected one,
and was about to tear off its second
blank leaf, when he read on its re-
verse page:
-"and Mr.. Fairfax has been so help
full to me. am not sentimental girl,
as you know, but this big-hearted man
has won my deepest respect-and more
than that, yes, mother, dear, and al
though It will never amount to any
thing, I shall love him to the end"
"She don't mean me ! She can't mean
me" gasped the spellbound Jasper.
"But there Is my name. I guess I've
been asleep! Anyhow, I'll wake up.
and"
Four hours later Jasper Fairfax was
on his way to the city. Ethel was
at the briskness with which
he dashed In upon her.
miss Thorpe" he announced, "Pve
come clear back from Bolton to ask
you a question"
Eyes, Mr.. Fairfax" she smiled, won
deringly.
"Did you write that letterT
She blushed crimson as he produced
the missive he had appropriated.
"Y-yes," she stammered, "but think
mother was real mean to show 1t to
you"
Mother didn't" observed Jasper.
tlftog rh0rro do vou Ynoou What Won