The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-17

OuL SAAOOluly running 0Iucl6QI OF
fee was in the grip of romance
youthful, exuberant, rose-colored ro-
mance-and 1t 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 I
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 a sweet love song again for
them.
Even our middle-aged collector,
who was twice a widower, had sig
nified his intentions of marrying his
Iandlady.
Romance, romance everywhere
But not a breath of it touched my
life
Here was I, 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,"
confessed.
OF course he had to come out at the
precise minute when wasn't occupy
ing myself. That always happens to
me. I might be working like Tro-
jan all morning and stop for just a
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 I remarked very casually,
''Tve really a mountain of work ahead
/ of me, but somehow 1 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
I ever struck such 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 1 have ever met, and he never
mixes business with sociability, so I
was even more astonished when he
cried, glancing at the flowers on my
desk, Don't tell me that you are fol-
lowing in the wake of all the others.
Has some gay Lothario sent you
those?
Mercy, mol" I laughed. ''Flowers
are my one extravaganza. Haven't you
| ever noticed? 1 have always at least
one pOsy on my desk, even in the dead
of winter"
.'Sure they don't come from anybody
elseT'
"Of course not! I've wrapped my
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'tP
I'm glad of that" and he left me
abruptly and went back to the pri-
vate office.
Selfish brute! I cried to myself,
| although have always held an admi-
| ration and respect for him, which has
amounted almost to reverence. Hes
afraid if I go he won't get anybody to
| plug as. hard as have for his paltr.-
SIS perl"
But was mistaken, for when was
putting away my ledger after the 9th
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 I answered care
lesslY, jabbing my pin viciously into
my hat.
you 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
| thought, land 1 never let it bother me-"
Somebody has cared very, very
MUCH" he said seriously, and then to
my utter establishment, there he was,
telling me what lonely life he led. de
spite his luxurious, exclusive clubs and
how much he had always longed for
a simple, unpretentious home with
| SOT1sof1OdV who roaIlV cared
And quite before I knew II was
telling him how utterly weary 1 was
OF boarding in the city and how often
! my thoughts had wandered back to our
coy little cottage in the country.
The very next Sunday we motored
out into the country and found the
most charming little place you ever
| could imagine-not at ali pretentiOus,
but homelike and eozy-with easement
windows and gables and a trellis
where rambler roses climb in the sum-
mer. and where there is a really beaud-
full view from the dining room window.
OF course I'm tremendously happy, but