The Wahpeton times., 1918-11-14
AND 1T HAPPENEDl
By HELEN r. RYAN.
Copyright. 1sls. by the Mcclure Newsps-
per Syndicate.)

per SyndtcAte.)
Our smoothly running. efficient Of
dee was in the grip Of romance
youthful. exuberant. rose-colored no
mance-and 1t was most disconcsrt.
Ing. There was Virginia, quite the
life and fun Of the place (when the
presidents back was turned), leaving
US to join her young husband, who
had just been given q commission
and was stationed somewhere on the
coast. A-~
Then there was Blanche Hodgkins.
our capable and always dependable
head bookkeeper, who was soon to
follow virginia's bridal footsteps. We
had some wonderful lunch hours to-
gether, Blanche and L
Ned Sullivan had passed in his res.
tgnation and was going to an avia-
tion detachment down south some
where and little Mae Clement told
me in strictest confidence that they
bad lately become engaged.
Nell and Joe, who though really IN
love with each other. were always
failing out" had made up and life
vas like sweet love song again for
them.
Even our middle-aged collector.
who was twice a widower, had sig-
ai6ed his intentions Of marrying his
iandlady.
Romance. romance everywherei
But not q breath Of Il touched my
life.
Here vas I, Nora Aonahan. FIRST
assistant to the president AROUND
whom nearly everything had always
vevolvsd, outside the pale oe u all
Ut nen Mr.. 1aslooe, the president
Of The 0rm, came cut and stood by my
desk.
"Auch work, Miss Aonahan1" he IN
quired With his usual brevity.
"Why. yea I'm really swamped.. I
confessed.
OF course he had to come out at the
precise minute when wasn't occupy
Ing myself. That always happens to
me. might be working like a Tro.
Jan all morning and stop for Just q
seconds hilarity-and get caught. The
others. for instance. have all the fun
they want when "the cats away" and
when he appears on the scene every
thing u serene and quiet. Of course
/ really don't care, but it gives one .
wrong Impression sometimes, you
know. Anyway, I've always eonsoled
Eyself that confession 10 good for the
soul" 50 I remarked very casually,
I've really q mountain Of work ahead
Il me, but somehow I can't seem to
concentrate today.
"No wonder" he said, ha,f under his
breath, with all the excitement and
pandelnOnium that's existing around
here these last few days. don't think
I ever struck such thoroughly roman
tic place in my life!"
looked up rather in surprise. Mr..
Maglone is usually very brief. He is
one Of the finest and keenest business
men I have ever met, and he never
mixes business with sociability, so
was even more astonished when he
cried, glancing at the flowers ON my
desk, "Don't tell me that you are fol.
lowing in the wake of all the others.
Has some gay Lothario sent you
thOse?"
mercy, mol" laughed. "Flewers
are my one extravaganza. Haven't you
ever noticed? have always at least
one pOsy on my desk, even in the dead
Of winter"
"Sure they don't come from anybody
eise7"
"Of course not! I've wrapped my
self up In my work so much that I've
never had time to think of anyone
even If anyone had shown any interest.
which they haven't!''
I'm glad Of that" and he left mo
abruptly and went back to the pri.
vate Office.
Selfish brute!" I cried to myself,
although Lhave always held an admi-
ration and respect for him, which has
amSanted almost to reverence. Hes
afraid If I 20 he won't get anybody to
plug as hard as I have for his paltry
$1S perl"
But I was mistaken. for when was
putting away my ledger after the 9th.
ers had gone, he said to me quietly,
almost gently. Don't you ever grow
weary of the perpetual grind Of your
work2'
'Oh. sometimes" answered care
lessly. jabbing my pin viciously into
my hat.
You seem so much of home-body
that I'm surprised somebody hasn't
captured you long before this"
Nobody has ever cared enough" ]
answered truthfully enough. as ]
thought, land never let it bother me"
Somebody has cared very. very
much," he said seriously, and then to
my utter astonishment. there he was,
telling me what lonely life he led, de-
spite his luxurious. exclusive clubs and
/ how much he had always longed for
q simple. unpretentious home with
somebody who really cared.
And quite before I knew it I wal
telling him how utterly weary I was
Of boarding in the city and how often
my thoughts had wandered back to ouz
cozy little cottage In the country.
The very next Sunday we motored
out into the country and found the
most charming little place you ever