The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-21
EVENING STORY
Taking a Chance.
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM.

added to his name coincident with his
appointment to the vacant presidency
of the Consolidated Metals corpora
ton, marking a very gradual risel
from his 1owly beginning as errand
boy for this same business institution
some forty years back. There was
about as much logic to his belief that
the 60" which stood for nothing.
as for his idea, assimilated thru the
course OF his career, that heavy
footed walking was an indication of a
dominant personality" OF course,
Mr.. Joseph @. Hattisbury would not
have characterized it so, principally
for the reason that he seldom knew
the meaning of or how to spell words
of greater than monosyllabic length.
AS the door. labeled in letters of
warning size Private" banged shut,
a small thinnish fellow. with deep-set
eyes, looked up from the large sheets
over which he was bent, and retriev-
ing the lighted cigarette from his
pocket, whistled relievedly. His thin
ming hair and the tell-tale crows feet
about the eyes seemed to vie oddly
with his boyish mannerisms.
IF it hadn't been for your jiggers,'
Helen, I'd we been caught that time
sure"
Helen rested her hands with their
network of blue-veined ridges, on the
keys of her comptometer. Helen could
an indefinably happy turn to her lips
reflected never-absent sense of
humor. She was conservatively and
economically dressed in dark serge
skirt which eloquently testified by its
sheen, its fourth year of continuous
service. Black, low-heeled shoes and
a white lawn waist completed the
! business-like severity of her costume,
relieved only by a small amethyst
brooch fastened to the throat.
Right you are, Rodney" she re-
piled, but her voice did not have its
usual buoyancy. The man noticed it.
Whats the matter, old SCOUT" he
asked consoiingly. getting up from his
chair and proffering bag of cara
mels. She refused the CONNECTION.
Tired, Helen?''
Eyes, am-tired to think that
you've got to hide a cigaret in your
pocket as If you were a little kid, and
tired of that" pointing CONTEMPORARY
to the door marked Private" odd
maid teacher"
| maids, Helen. You're living in a glass
house all your own"
"Oh. but I'm woman and it makes
no difference if push the keys of this
comptometer forever But you're sup
posed to be a man and make a name
for yourself in this world. Does the
prospect of smoking when 1t pleases
the other fellow appeal to you for the
rest of your life pr
Rodney stood silent. This was new
Helen.
Look here, Helen, we've been work.
ing together now for nearly ten years
right in this office, and you've never
talked this way before. You know I've
never dared risk starting something
for fear I'd fail. So I've been content
to put up with the old man."
well, you've got to take a chance
some time. Shame, that for the Sc
curity Of three meals a day you've
been content to lodge in a ruti Don't
follow my example. Here I am, well
along in the thirties, and still letting
| this thing think for me- and she
| gave the comptometer a vicious shove
You get out, Rodney. and take
chance. A man at forty is still young
| these days.
Helen smiled at the unusuainess of
their conversation and her new role of
adviser. She couldn't help smiling.
Well, I'll tell you what" he an
| swered, as he clapped his hands to-
| gether, to seal the bargain, YOU sug-
gest the venture, and I'll do it-or
bust"
Helen laughed out loud. foolish"
she said. without serious intent, ego
| buy a delicatessen.''
Rodney's mouth closed with a snap
"Jiggers the boss!"
And as Mr.. Joseph Q. Hattisbury re-
| entered the outer office, he found his
employees zealously performing those
| duties for which he never let them
forget he paid them. He tramped
noisily over to Helens desk. Despite
her dislike for him, she could never
help but feel that he treated her just
a little more considerably than he did
| the others.
| I'D like to see those totals, Miss
Bently." he asked in stentorian tones.
and Helen shivered as he leaned his
-
seem to be paying much attention to
the figures as he nervously fingered
his watch charm. Come into INV Of
flee" he ordered peremptorily.
PUZZLED she followed him into the
room. and Rodney loked up as the
door closed with its customary bang.
Here's where she gets it," he thou CHI.
Perhaps Helen was getting it,
/, MISS Bently," her employer abrupt
" began. He cleared his throat with
rasping noise and Helen fortified
herself for the worst. IT intend to
make you my wife"
| Helen reeled.
=, you've been a good employe for
the past ten years." he went on. as II
ne we're merely increasing her salary,
money if I marry you"
ne paused to cough. Does the ladv
examined.
A hot and scatching refusal was on
Helen's lips. OH The mans auda.
cious arrogance! Was she nothins
put another step in his upward prog
ress? Did she have no choice? HOW
long had she been under considers
ton? Was her position in Jeopardy
me questions raced like flashes OF
nghtning thru her confused mind
h hnen as in a panorama there passed
DeIore her the years Of confininp
hours. the toiling days and the niebts
without recreation-just work, work
ana more work-that one might live
The very whiteness of her waist
seemed to implore surcease from fire
qdent washings and the shiny seee
skirt, silently pleaded honorable dis.
charge from service.
And here was liberation! Within
her grasp was material ease for the
rest or her years Helen hesitated.
May I have time to think it over