The Washington times., 1918-06-30

will in a year. And II don't, you get
G,ery cent Of it. Just like your fathers
will. lie wants to keep up the firm. And
now you're free and independent-and-
and"---
For u moment he stood watching the
transfo rmation that came over Leah's
countsnance. Then, swiftly, she slapped
his face.
"TfSlt's no reason for kissing me like
that" she said Harry turned and left the
store and for a whole week did not return.
During that week Leah conducted all the
business of the firm. including the manage
ment of Clara. the stenographer. When
Harry returned Clara offered her resigna-
ton
"Y ou don't catch me putting up with
the likes Of herr" she said.
Flow much are we paying you now?"
asked Harry.
'aTwelve dollars a week"
~From now on you get fifteen" said
Harry. "And when get ready to let you
go you'll go. and not before Don't pay any
attention to her" And then he sought
Leah.
Look here, young lady" he said, quite
'fcldly, you may be the boss Of this busi-
ness at the end of the year. but until the
year is up you will please bear in mind
that I'm the boss. And / want you to let
that stenographer alone. Just because
you've got a stubborn. nasty temper is no
reason for making that poor girl unhappy,
She's going to stay here as long as / do.
You Just attend to your own business"
Lean said never, a word. But she smiled
A woman can wait a year much better
than a man can; patience is one Of the
grandest traits of the sex.
And the year sped quickly-a habit that
years have. At the end OF six months
Harry asked Leah to marry him.
you'll never be able to run the business
by yourself" he said. "And as long as
you've got to have me for a partner we
might as well get married. It'll make
things so much easier. You know l don't
care about the money. You can have my
grandfather's money and your own, too.
any time you like. What's the use Of be-
ing so stubborn"
81 prefer to stay as l ann" said Leah,
coldly. you can always marry Clara IL
you're so crazy about marrying"
Leah's friends told her she was foolish.
In all the history of the world no woman
has ever changed her mind because she
was told that her attitude was foolish
That is not the psychology Of the sex
Leah preferred her folly rather than to
yield to a million last wills and testaments
for the sake of keeping up a furniture
firm.
One day-it was near the end of Harry's
year-a dispute arose with a customer who
lived in Brownsville, the Ghetto of Long
Island. 1t being necessary to convince
the customer tnat no mistake had been
made in his account, Harry asked Leah to
accompany him to the mans house in the
evening.
"T1l go over the furniture he bought and
we'll take the books along so that you can
explain every entry to him"
II was late when the matter was settled
and they found that they would have to
wait nearly half an hour for the next car
to the city. 1t was a moonlight night and
Harry. huge ledger under his arm, point
ed to a bench close by the trolley tracks.
I'VE might as well sit down until the car
comes" he said.
Leah seated herself about a foot away
from him and, with her hands clasped in
Eer lap. gazed steadily at the moon. In
that silYery light her eyes glowed like
stars and her features seemed to grow
soft and radiant.
Won't you marry me?' Harry asked
softly. Leah did not answer. A long
silence ensued and Leah. turning swiftly
as if some sudden force had attracted her,
saw a tear roll DOWN Harry's cheek. A
faint cry escaped from her lips.
What is the matter? You're cryingi"
she exclaimed.
why do you make me so miserable
" hen you know | love you?" cried Harry.
Even the moon could not hide the flood
Df color that surged to Leah's cheeks.
"YOu love me?" she said-it came al
most like a moan from her lips. "Since
when?"
"Since when? My Godl Ever since I
laid eyes on you. Don't you know I love
YOU? Haven't you always known it?"
With a wild cry Leah threw her arms
around his neck--the big ledger fell to the
sround-and pressed his head to her
breast.
"Oh. Harry Harry! You never told
me-. Why didn't you tell me? You never
said you loved me- Oh, Harry!"
The moon did not even blink. His sill
very rays-Or her silvery rays Tim not
Iuite sure about the moons gender)-fell
softly upon two figures that were clasped
n each others arms until they almost
seemed as one. Those softening rays
'ould not fall upon the girls face because
mass of raven hair and an immense.
lower-coyered hat we're in the way, to say