The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-16
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
TAKING A CHANCE.
~ IIECoLN ROTHBLUM
(CoVyhGht, 1918. By the Mcclure

WV
M e." II must be stated, had been
0dAhd to his name coincldent with MA
ooOolnthoOt 70 the vacant presidency
Of The Consolidated Metal Corpora
tjOO, marking Q very gradual rise from
his ioWly beginning as eHr2nd boy LOT
this came business institution some
forty years back There was about as
much logic 70 bis belief that the q
which stood Cor nothing, added a
unique dignity 70 his name as for his
IDEA, OSSimilattd through the course OF
Ma career, that heaYyfooted watkins
Wa an indication OF dominant per
SonAiIty." or oourts, ar Joseph q
WhttiSbury would not have character.
iEAd Il 70, principally for the reason
that be seldom knew the meaning OF or
how 10 spell words OF greater THAN
mbnosyilabic length.
Az the door. labeled IN letters Of
warning size Private banged shut
4 small finnish fellow. With deep-5e
eyeS, looked up from the large 7heets
over which he was bent, and retsie;
iAg the lighted cigarette from hii
picket, Whistied relieyedly. His thin
ming hair and the tell.tale crows feet
about his eyes seemed - vie odd'y
with his boyiyh mannerism.
Il Il hadn't been for your ilsger!
Helen, I'd We been caught that tine
sure"
WOlOu rested her hands, With their
network Of blue-veined ridges. on the
keys Of her ccmptometer Helen could
no longer b called exactly young, bu.
"a Indefinitely happy turn 10 her lips
reflected never.absent sense OF
hunboF. She was conservatlYely and
economically dressed in a dark serge
skirt which eloQuently testified b. It's
sheen. It's fourth year Of continuous
service Black low.heeled shoes and a
white lawn waist completed the bust.
ntStlike severity OF her costume, re.
liOVod only by a small, amethyst
brooch fastened 10 the throat
Fright you are Rodney she re.
pliOd, but her voice did not have its
usual buoyaney The man noticed II.
What's the matter, old SCOUT" he
asked eonsolIngly getting up from his
chair and proifering a bag OF caramels.
She refused the CONNECTION.
Tired, Heien?'
Eyes, ] aui--tired 10 think that
you've got 10 hide a cigarette in your
pocket as il you we're a little kid and
tired OF that" pointing contemptously
10 the door marked Private old
maid teacher"
Rodney smiled. LET up on the old
maids, Helen. You're living In a glass
house all your own"
ooh. but In 2 woman and II makes
no difference II push the keys OF this
eomptome.er forever But you're sup.
posed to be a nan and make a name
for yourself in this world. Does the
prospect OF smoking when Il pleases
the other fellow appeal 10 you for the
rest OF your liie?'
Rodney stood silent This was q
new Helen.
Look here, Helen. we've been work.
Ing together now for nearly ten years
right IN this office. and you've nsver
talked this way before. You know I've
never dared risk starting something
tor fear I'd fail. So I've been content
70 put up with the old man
SWELL, you've got to take 4 chance
tome time. Shame. that for the sc.
.uFity Of three meals a day you've been
content to lodge in a rut! Don't fol.
low my example. Here am weel along
10 the thirties. and still letting this
hing think for me-" and she gave the
eomptometer q vicious shove. "Yoi
set out. Rodney, and take a chance.
A man At forty iS still young these
days"
Helen smiled at the unusualness OF
their conversation end her new role Of
adviser. She couldn't help smiling.
We'll, I'll tell you what" he an.
Owered, a. he clapped his hands to.
gether 10 seal the bargain, you suE.
gest the venture, and I'll do it--ol
bust"
Helen laughed out loud. Foolish"
lhe said, without serious intent, go
buy a dellcatessen."
ROdney's mouth closed with a snap.
"JiggeTS, the boss!"
And as Mr.. Joseph Q. Hattisbury re.
entered the outer office. be found his
employees Tealously performing those
autieS Tor which he never let them for.
get be paid them. He tramped noisily
over TO Helen's desk Despite her dis.
Ike for him, she could never help but
feel that he treated her Just a little
more considerably than he did the
others.
"rd like 10 zee those totals. Miss
BOntly" he asked in stentoYian tones,
aud Helen shivered as he leaned his
poTtly frame over her He aid not
seem 10 be paying much attention to
the figures % be nervouSly fingered
bis watch charm. Come into my
office" he ordered preemptorily.
Pushed, she followed him into the
room' and Rodney looked up as the
door closed with It's customary bang
Here's where she gets t." be thought
Perhaps Helen was getting It."
Miss Bently," her employer abrupt.
" began. He cleared his throat with
. Tatping noise and Helen fortified
herself for the worst. 81 Intend 70
make you my wife"
Helen Teeled
You've been q good employee for
the past ten years." he went on. as IL
be were merely increasing her salary
and don't think you'll waste my
money II marry you"
He paused 10 cough. Does the lady
select the wedding dsy?' he cross.
examined.
A hot and ScSthing refusal was on
Helen's lips. Oh! The mans ouda.