The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-09-19
DANIEL WELLS
BY AGNES q. sRoeAn.

Here, now. upon his return from a
much needed rest, the proprietor Of
Rogers "Ready TO Wear Industries"
was greeted In black print by a daring
exposure Of bad conditions said to
exist In his own great plant. The
condemnlng article appearing under
the heading Of "City Notes" wns
signed by the well-known writer Of
terse edltorials-Danlel Wells.
Even without his bold signature the
brief written sentences OF Daniel Wells
were unmistakable. with call and
conviction all their own. james Rog-
ers decided furlously to call up VII.
llams Of the Press and Inquire into the
matter. prompt contradiction must be
demanded. But irresolutely the old
mans hand rested upon the telephone.
Would Daniel Wells brook contradlc-
tlon7 His. assertions were backed with
proof. Rogers rang for his son In
stead. and presently Jim. happy-eyed
and smiling, entered his fathers pres
ence.
swell, dadf' he cheerfully inquired.
The older man thrust the days pa
per before him. "Read that" he said
irately.
Jim, with n serious nod, dismissed
the article. 81 have rend it," he re.
piled. "The worst feature Of the ease
Is the truth OF the statement"
TRUTH James Rogers wheeled
about toward his son. "whnt would
you have for factory workers. glass
sun rooms to sew I'm. or afternoon
tea served In the work room7 These
new health notions make me sick Col
lcgc, l suppose. has imbued you with
the same idcns. Wen. the place has
run along pretty well during the past,
and guess II will In the future. The
question II. you're manager here now,"
he tapped the written article "what
nre you going TO do about thlsf
His son sank ensily into chair. I
"ncncft By Il. dad" he answered
crlsply.
The old nuns eyes bulged--"whatr
''Benefit by H." young Jim repeated.
"cut out the things dlsapproved, and
begin n new order"
The father stirred at his son as
though he were n stranger. "May
ASK" he said sarcnstlcally. "whnt has
made you 10 agreeable to new order
of thlngsr DO you realize that II would
entail the expenditure OF large sums
of money-my money-which later will
all be yoursf That II would lessen ma
terinlly the profits OF our busInessf'
Young Jim came close aud looked
frankly back Into his fathers fnce. :
eyes. IN tell you what has changed my
point OF view. dad" he replied. TITS
a Girl. Just little brave. sweet sort
OF girl. working here In your fac
tory. She has talked to me about II
all"
During working hoursf" his father
interrupted.
Jim shook his head. "No." he said:
"there was no time then. II was ms I
walked home with her evenings. that /
she brought me 20 see things as they
are. and as they should be-"
James Rogers Jumped furiously TO
his feet. "You dare 90 tell me that
you have been walking home nights
with one OF your fathers factory
girls" The millionaire choked. There
was a significant pause. Il have also
asked her TO marry me-" young Jim
quietly responded.
james Rogers turned and pressed
an electric button. 1--WE will settle
this fo0lishness here aud now" he
muttered. "What n the name OF this
grip
Jlm's face flushed. "Joan." he spoke
the name gently. "Joan Graves"
When the ONCE door opened a girl
stood for moment framed In the ma
hOgany casing then swiftly she came
and waited, before the two men. She
was little girl. as Jim had said. her
blue eyes unafraid.
"You sent for met" she asked.
''TO tell you" he burst out. "that
your services here nre no longer re-
quired. And 20 Impress upon yop the
fact that any silly nffair between you
and my son viii mean his prompt dis
mlssal from my family. Neither now
nor at any time may he expect any
Iutely and finally you agree 10 give him
up.
II do not know how much trOubie
your agltating remarks may have
caused among the workers. hut hence
forth II will he useless for you 20 seek
employment In any of our stores. A.
far Ms We are concerned, you shall be
forever silenced." .h
81 am afraid" said the girl. her
voice was low. that will not be pos
kible. Because" wlthsquIck concern
IN her face she went over TO the young
er man. "Jim." she mufmured. 'for-
give me. dear. for deeelylng even you.
Becanse. Mr.. Rogers" she continued.
IL have merely been rnrking here NJ
an Inspector sH,snr your people. Thr
depl0rable wruigs ! have fmlnd lilust
be righted." She smiled uidden
transforming smile. "iOu. aud Jln
am sure, are going 10 help me right
them"
"An Inspector" James Rogers re-