The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-05-28


And A few minutes later they we're
seated at a coy table for two in a
rather crowded dining room. inspect
ing each other curioUsly They both
seemed surprised 70 be getting on so
well together, and before she knew II,
Tnez Vrain was chat,erinE TO Collin
Bell a. II he we're a favored friend o:
her own social world.
But suddenly Bells face underwent
a change. Coming toward them, pre-.
coded By the head walter, was the old
Man" followed by a friend The "Old
Man" noticed Bell and started 10 boz
geniallv. when he caught the curve OF
his daughters Cheek, and instead OF
passing on, he stopped.
Hello. Bell" he said, cordially eI
tending his hand and successfully
covering his surprise.
why. Dad" said lnez. "Mr. Bel
said YOU had gone n Philadelphia 10
attend a conference
Bell drew down the lid Of his left
eye. and the Old Man just caught
himself In time
TO be sure he said easily "bu. a
wire came at the last minute and post.
poned it,
And as he moved away he said in an
of.hand manner: Wish you'd drop
into my office the first thing Monday
morning. Bell. want TO 90 into that
Philadelphia matter
And Collin Bell was not sure but he
thought the old Man winked at him
On Monday morning the odd Man
leaned back in his chair and grinned
at Collin Bell
You've been here five or six years
Bell. ana | never noticed you part.cu.
larlv before. But you've got tact, do
YOU know that? OF course, Id forgot
ten Inoz entirely Saturday and your
auickness with that Philadelphia story
saved me a bad half hour with 4 GER
tain Young woman who has a temper
and a clever tongue
The "Old Man" drew his private
check book toward him and passed
over a check TO Eel 70; fifteen hun.
dred dollars.
This is coming 10 YOU on last years
salary he said From today YOU are
20 BE- ny personal representative az
five thousand a wear
Bell look the check with tlanks-he
vas never ctfusiye--and went oL' OF
the office lie went straight 10 The
bank and deposited the odd Man
check pnd than drew one Of his own
back to the Old Man for The twelve
hundred and eighty odd dollars Of his
shortage. This be enclosed with an
itomized statement, a short eXplana-
ton and his resignation, and sent up
N The office nv messenger. Then,
with a little laugh. he started slowly
IN own. walking with careless feel
in- OF freedom that he had not known
for a long time At last he was square
b,t al the sacrifice OF the only OPP
pnrtunity that had ever come 10 him.
Well. 1t was the only way. he felt, and
there were other Jobs Then, Just in
front u him a roadster drew up 10 the
cub and girl rot out, And as she
turned 10 shut the door they we're face
20 face
"Why it's Nj Bell" she smiled cor
dially.
Bell shook her hand in a compelling
manner that for some reason or other
vae vastly exciting 10 lneZ Nrain.
launching again with father ne
quized With twinkle.
Aren't you working today" she
came back a. him.
"No," he said, shortly. Il quit this
morning
Her eyes grew stormy. did he fire
you for lunching with me-" she de-
manded. anETily
ooh, no. he denied.
"Then why did YOU Quit"
ASK your father" he said, grimly.
And was gone.
Thirty minutes later she burst into
her fathers private office. 81 want
to know why Collin Bell quit his job
this morning" she demanded.
Judson Vrain studied his daughte:
a moment and then handed her Bells
note Of resignation. and statement OF
shortage.
ut was decent thing for him to
do" he said. gravely. Il probably
never would have found it out. and |
had Just raised him this morning to
five thousand a year"
Five thousand dollars a year? My
goodness! But then, I suppose We
could live on Il. Many people do" said
Inez Nrain demurely
For 2 moment Judson stared AZ his
daughter. and then he grinned little.
Lots OF people live on a whole lot
less" he said, but the dav you marry
Collin Bell I'll give hirO the Philadel.
phia branch AZ ten thousand dollars q
year. but" he wagged his finger In his
daughters face, hes got 10 make
good"
"Of course! she said. as she whirled
out Of the door. but haven't got him
yet" And Judson Vrain laughed.