The Twin City star., 1918-09-28


affect her in any particular. She was'
Learning to her surprise that the In
creased income did not necessarily
carry with 1t surcease from work and
| that her position demanded an immac-
| ulate appearance unthought of In the
factory. So the extra half hour OF
sleep In the morning went for more
| elaborate toilet and the evening was
devoted to the washtub over which she
alternately scrubbed her two white
shirtwaists. But Maizie continued to
dream of that Utopia where work was
nonexistent.
"Mr. Franklin wishes to give you
some dictation, Miss Sloan," called
the operator, as she pulled the plug
out Of the switchboard. With note
book and sharply pointed pencil In one
hand, Maizie patted her hair into
shape with the other and crossed the
rug. Somehow she could not become
accustomed to its cushiony softness.
Mr.. Franklin fused with his watch
charm. "Just short letter." he apol-
ogized. Maizie sat motionless, pencil
poised ready to inscribe the mysterious
lines and curves which she alone could
decipher.
"It's to-it's to" he stammered,
'it's to Miss Maizie Sloan." Mr..
Franklin gulped. Maizie was surprised
but glued her eyes to her book.
II beg to advise you," he began
very quietly, shat sometime ago de-
livered to you my-heart. Will you
kindly acknowledge receipt" he hur-
| ried on, "and let me know if it meets
with your approval?"
Mr.. Franklin did not quite anticipate
that his stenographer would get up
| and leave the room. But how was he
to know that Maize wanted to marry
him-not because she loved him, but
because his money could make her
dreams come true? And how was he
to know that she flew from him to
avoid committing this insult to her
ideal Of honor? He thought he had
frightened her into refusing him. That
| Is why later he was filed with sur
prised gladness as he read her an
| swer:
Dear sir: beg to acknowledge re-
ceipt of your consignment and wish to
| advise it meets with my hearty ap-
proval. When do you wish payment
nader"
The days flew by very quickly for
Maizie. With funds supplied by her
future husband, she prepared dainty
trousseau and never were her dreams
so vivid as when she thought Of her
approaching marriage. Servants she
would have, one for every finger.
She's eat her breakfast in bed. She
wouldn't lift a pin from the floor.
1t was an exquisite day in May,
There was song on her lips as Maiziei
entered Mr.. Franklin's Office. AS she
opened the door she saw first the
ugly frown on his forehead.
"What is the matter? she exclaimed
quickly, coming to his side.
'I've invested heavily in Condor,
Silver and the market is very low. L
shall lose everything and be drowned
in debt" .. .-.
Maizie reeled. Down went the air.
castles! Smash went the dreams (!
For what did she need a penniless
husband? Why should she marry
poverty? ,.'
She ran from the room. She ran
through the outer Office. She ran;
down the nine flights Of steps. She
ran through the streets. From sheer
exhaustion she rested in the city park.
What encouragement What disap-
pointment! What disillusionI Why
had she been the one to suffer? Had
she not been happier before luxury
had seemed within her fingertips?
Why had destiny been so cruel?
Maizie sat and cross-questioned her.
self until cool shadows hid the sun
below the horizon. As she arose from
the bench, she noticed her ring. It
was worth large sum Of money. It
was hers and she did not have to re-
turn it. It would recompense her for
her suffering.
She fingered the stone dejectedly. It
sparkled so brilliantly. Maizie rubbed
her eyes. Was she awake? For the
luster of the diamond seemed to reflect
the features Of her employer. She had
not thought Of him before. He had not
come into her mind until then.
Drowned in debt" re-echoed lin her
ears. Why was she not trying to save
him, then? Why was she not by his
side helping him to buck the current? :?
In a flash 1t came to her. "I don't
want him because need him. I don't
want him because he needs me.
want him because I love him." She
said it out loud and the policeman
walking his beat smiled as he caught
the end of her words.
Maizie ran at full speed back to the
Office. She closed her eyes as she
turned the knob. She had not the
courage to face him and confess. She
pushed the door open with her foot
and burst in upon him with arms ex-
tended to feel the way her eyes, tight