The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-14
EVENING STORY
The New Assistant Manager.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspa

BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
Promotioni Assistant manager of
that large departmental store! 1t al
most seemed too good to be true to
Robert Campbell, and for fifteen min
utes after he had received notification
of his advancement he could do Moth
ing but sit and wonder at his good
luck. However, it had not been all
good luck, he realized that, for he had
worked hard for the past three years
with the expectation of gradual adj
vancement, but his goal had been
reached long before he expected it.
Wouldn't Carrie be proud and glad. 1t
was for her and to make a home for
her that he had worked hard and I'M
ceasingly. She would be the first to
hear the news from his lips; he did
not stop to take the elevator but
bounded up the three flights of stairs
to the department where she worked.
She was not at her counter, but an
assistant informed him that she was
at the telephone. He hurried to the
telephone booth and stopped as he
heard Carries voice.
Il care for you only. Meet me to-
night L love you, deary, and 1 want
you for my own" she was saying over
the wire.
Bob put his hand to his head He
could hardly believe his ears until she
repeated the same words, and then as
she caught sight of him, said: That
is all, thank you," as CURLY as she
could and hung up the receiver. But
Bob was not deceived. He had heard
enough.
Did you want to see me, Bobbie,''
she said in the same old way Bob's
head was still swimming and what
appeared to be her deceitfuI front
made it worse.
NO thank you,'' he gulped You
had better finish your telephone con-
versation."
Il had finished" she answered,
without showing any embarrassment.
81 don't think you had" He turned
about and left her. Carrie looked
after him in wonder. What had come
over him? She could not understand
when she wanted to tell him about
her promotion, too. She made her
way back to the desk that she had
occupied for the first time that day.
Have you heard about Mr.. Camp
bells promotion. Miss Aldeson?" the
girl who had charge of Carries old
counter. asked. He is to be assis-
tant manager. Promotions seem to
have gone the rounds"
That is splendid for him." Carrie
exclaimed in delight. IT am so glad,
for he has worked hard for promo
ton
When she was left alone Carrie be-
gan to make excuses for Bob's cold
ness. He was filling his role as as
sistant manager. Familiarity was not
good for the discipline of the store.
But just the same she could not help
thinking that he should not have been
distant with her. 1t was unlike BOD
and the more she thought of 1t the
more excuses entered her mind He
would be the same old Bob outside OF
business hours, she told herself. and
waited expectantly for the lunch nour
to arrive They had lunched together
at the little place around the corner
ever since they had become engaged
1t was there they discussed the rap
penings of the morning and planned
big things for the future That DAY
she would be able to congratulate MIN
on his promotion and receive his con-
sratulations on hers. it would be
day of rejoicing. there was no DOUBT
of that
When noon hour arrived no Bob ap-
neared. Carrie waited for nearly half
an hour with her coat and hat on be-
fore the realization that he was not
coming came to her. So Bob had let
his promotion come between them
she had to acknowledge it to herself
She was not good enough for an as
sistant managers wife. It was hard
to credit Bob with such an ungrateful
spirit for he had always been so kind
and considerable. The little home they
had planned to build, with the gar