Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-16
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
INITIATIVE
By Louise Perkins

NOR the first time since Lurine Will
l. liams had left her home to make her
way in the business world. she was out
of job She looked at the matter
senSibly, too, remarkably eensibly for so
young a girl, for in spite of the fact
that she had been a successful and very
businesslike stenographer to an impor-
tant and well-known man for the last
five years, she was barely twenty-five.
She had worked hard to complete her
business course before the small pittance
she had saved was exhausted. And 1t
was by sheer perseverance and hard
work that she had gained and held her
first position
Now, Just as she was becoming sure
Of herself and her job, her employer
had sold out his business interests and
had gone West to avoid the breakdown
which his physician had said was in
evitable.
For the last week Lurine had search
ed the want ads eagerly, but in vain
Today there was one. Mr.. Hill, Of
Loring, Hill & Judson. was in need
OF a private secretary. 1t was posi-
ton that any stenographer in the city
would have been glad to accept, but
I.urine knew only too well. as did no
doubt a score of other would-be Secre-
ta-ies. that being the best law firm in
the city it was the very hardest to
gain access to, and Mr.. HILL so rumor
said was the most exacting OF the
trio. But once girl was admitted
10 those SaCreu precincts ner success
was assured Certainly 1t was worth
irving, and Lurine was experienced.
Five years should count for something.
An hour later Lurine arrived at the
office very nervous and somewhat
brcathless, only to be told by stony
one OF the clerks, that Mr. Hill was
busy and IL she was an applicant that
he wasn't Interviewing any one under
| twenty-five.
As she was whirred down in the swift
elevator, a glance into the merciless
mirror showed her how hopelessly
young and small she looked. How
ever. the luxurious and dign'hed atmos-
phere of the office she had just left
made her dissatisfied with any other
possibilities. Besides" she told Nher-
self as she walked back to her dlngy
! little apartment in the cool spring air.
anything worth having is worth work
| ing for"
Fairly that afternoon Lurine again
visited the beautifully furnished office
! that had become ideal with her. The
same clerk admitted her second time.
| but surely she saw no resemblance In
| the cool. self-possessed little gray
| haired woman to the extremely young
| and very nervous girl she had so re-
| Gently refused adm 'ttance to This time
| to Lurine's surprise, she ushered her
| into Mr.. HIS private sanctum,
Mr.. Iiill's trained eye appraised hel
swiftly, and she felt from the first that
she was making a favorable impression
He asked her a few perfunctory ques'
tions, dictated a letter or two, and thel
| informed her in his calm. even voice
| which she soon learned was habitua
| with him, that she would do.
| Suddenly one day early in the fall Mr.
Hill announced that he was to be one
of the participants In the Liberty Loaf
campaign, and that he would be Obliged
20 leave her in sole charge OF his per
| sonal affairs during that time. 1t was
then that her characteristic honestS
compelled her to tell him of her rust
and that he was leaving his business in
the hands Of a girl of twenty-five anC
| not middle-aged woman.
| There was a gleam of amusement ir
| his eyes as he replied. Did you think
so shallow a disguise as yours could de-
| caive as keen a lawyer as your employee
has the reputation of being? | knew il
| from the first Two Of your wrinkles
disappeared during your trial dlctation
| IL was your ingenuity and initiative thai
got you the position, my dear youns
lady, and 1t is the same two qualities
that assure the safety of my busines.
in your hands"
1t is n well-known fact in the business
circles of that city that Mr. HIS secre
| tary Is treasure but nevertheless II Il
still something OF a mystery to then
that he ever. came to entrust his affairs
to so young a girl.
TomorroD's Complete Novelette,,
nj N II A