Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-08-07
AND 1T HAPPENED!
BY HELEN r. RYAN.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

Our smoothly running, efficient Of
f1ce was in the grip of romance
youthful, eXuberant, roSe-cOlored rO-
mance-and it was most disconcert-
ing. There was Virginia, quite the
life and fun of the place (when the
presidents back was turned), leaving
US to join her young husband, who
had just been given a commission
and was stationed somewhere on the
coast. -
Then there was Blanche Hodgkins,
our capable and always dependable
head boOkkeeper, who was soon to
follow Virginia's bridal footsteps. We
had some wonderful lunch hours to-
gether, Blanche and 1.
Ned Sullivan had passed in his res
ignation and was going to an avia-
ton detachment down south some
where and little Mae Clement told
me in strictest confidence that they
had lately become engaged.
Nell and Joe who though really in
love with each other, were always
falling out" had made up and life
was like sweet love song again for
them.
Even our middle-aged collector,
who was twice a widower, had sig
nified his intentions of marrying his
landlady.
Romance, romance everywhere
But not breath of it touched my
life,
Here was !, Nora Monahan, first
assistant to the president, around
whom nearly everything had always
revolved, outside the pale of it all
Just then Mr.. Maglone, the president
of the firm, came out and stood by my
desk.
Much work, Miss Monahan?" he in
Quired with his usual brevity.
''Why, yes, I'm really swamped," I
confessed.
OF course he had to come out at the
precise minute when I wasn't occupy
ing myself. That always happens to
me. l might be working like TrO-
jan all morning and stop for just
seconds hilarity-and get caught. The
others, for instance, have all the fun
they want when 1.-The cats away" and
when he appears on the scene every
thing is serene and quiet. Of course
I really don't care, but it gives one
wrong impression sometimes, you
know. Anyway, I've always consoled
myself that confession is good for the
SOUL" so l remarked very casually,
give really mountain of work ahead
of me, but somehow l can't seem to
concentrate today.
mo wonder" he said, half under his
breath, with all the excitement and
pandemOnium that's existing around
here these last few days. / don't think
1 ever struck such a thoroughly roman
tic place in my life!'
I looked up rather in surprise. Mr..
Maglone is usually very brief. He is
one of the finest and keenest business
men l have ever met, and he never
mixes business with sOciability, so
was even more astonished when he
cried. glancing at the flowers on my
desk, Don't tell me that you are fol-
towing in the wake of all the others.
Has some gay Lothario sent you
thOSeT
mercy, MOI" I laughed. FLOWERS
nre my one extravaganza. Haven't you
ever noticed? / have always at least
one posy on my desk, even in the dead
of winter"
"Sure they don't come from anybody
else?'
self up in my work so much that I've
never had time to think of anyone
even if anyone had shown any interest,
which they haven't!'
I'm glad of that" and he left me
abruptly and went back to the prl-
vate office
Selfish brutei' 1 cried to myself,
although I have always held. an adml-
ration and respect for him, which mas
amounted almost to reverence. He's
afraid if 1 go he won't get anybody TO
plug as hard as have for his paltry
$18 peri"
But l was mistaken, for when was
putting away my ledger after the oth-
ers had gone, he said to me quietly
almost gently, Don't you ever grow
weary of the perpetual grind OF your
work?'
..Oh, sometimes" answered care
lessly. jabbing my pin viciously into
my hat,
ssYou seem so much of home-body
that I'm surprised somebody hasn't
captured you long before this
Nobody has ever cared enough l
answered truthfully enough, as l
thought, "and / never let it bother me.
somebody has cared very, very
much" he said seriously, and then TO
nv utter astonishment, there he was
telling me what lonely life he led, de-
spite his luxurious, exclusive clubs and
how much he had always longed TOT