The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-02-04
UNPAID ACCOUNT
sy VINCENT G. PERRY.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspe
per SYndicate.l

tIce to find something interesting In
all her work and as she typed each
statement she broke the monOtony by
trying 20 draw mind picture of each
person for whom she was making out
a bill. She stopped her machine as
she came to a familiar name on the
nst--Mr. Lawrence Wright.
Hasn't this Lawrence Wright paid
his bin yeti" she asked Mr.. Arm
strong, the Office manager. "I1is sub
scrlption is nearly three years in ar
rears, and l have billed him every
month for at least two years"
mo, he hasn't, and / don't see amy
way of collecting it. We have sent a
collector there half dozen times, and
the last time he was nearly thrown
out. There Is nothing for 1t but to keep
rendering the account. That's the way
with these young fellows with more
money than brains. Just try il your
self, Miss Walker" the head collector
flashed.
Il WILL and collect it, too, il Mr..
Armstrong will consent" she laughed,
delighted at being able to rufiie the
calm OF the collector.
II am willing" the manager con-
sented. "You can start out now il
you like"
Ina had not been quite in earnest,
but she would not withdraw after
making the boast. She went back to
her typewriter and worked mechani-
cally until she finished the accounts,
and then unconcernedly put on her hat
and started out to collect the bill. On
the car she tried to remember how she
had pictured Mr.. Lawrence Wright,
but she had pictured him so often, and
each time differently. She would show
him that she could hold her own with
any man, and tell him Just what she
thought of him il She didn't get
check to cover the amount OF the bill.
He lived In a fashionable apartment
house. She envied him that, even
though he were fat and pompous. She
Rang the bell at the door bearing his
name plate. The door opened and the
man before her was fat and pompous.
A second glance told her it wasn't Mr..
Wright it was butler in livery.
what name?'' asked the butler.
81 am from Mr.. James," she said
after a moments hesitation. 1t was
bold step, but she felt 1t was necessary
to gain an entrance After all she was
representing the president Of the
| Times indirectly.
/ The butler ushered her into the re-
ception room, She waited uneasily,
| her eyes taking in the room. 1t was
very tastefully arranged and decorat-
ed She hoped Wright would not APP
were one of her aversions She was
examining a beautiful reproduction Of
masterpiece on the wall when a
slight sound told her some one el 50
was in the room. She tried to sink
back in her chair quickly, but realized
in time it would be a clumsy move,
and Strengthened up to face Il tall,
handsome man. He could not help
seeing the surprised look on her face,
but she knew he did not know it. was
because she had pictured him as fat
and pompous; she was thankful he
didn't.
did you wish to see mef' he asked
pleasantly. His voice was In keeping
with his appearance.
yes: | have a small account here
for your Times subscription. 1t is just
fifteen dollars--fOr three years, in ar
rears, you know. / would not have
called, but we have mailed you bill
and we thought 1t likely you had let il
slip your notice and would think us
careless If we did not remind YOU
Hasn't this bill been paid?" he ex
claimed in true surprise. Il viii write
you out a check at once. This is jus
another of the bills l find my secre
taly has neglected. For three years
have been leaving my affairs to him
and he has made muddle Of them.
believe | could have done better my
self
Il am sure you could" Ina salt
earnls silly. "It is a mistake for maj
OF brains to leave his business 70
others to do. Goodness knows wha
harR an unscrupulous secretary cal
do "a disinterested employer"
THANK you for calling me man o
brains" he smiled. Il believe you ar
right about the rest OF ii. That come
from allowing another man to handi
your funds and open your mail.
don't believe 7 can trust another on
to do these things again"
Il should say you couldn't VIII
don't you try woman secretary
she suggested.
Il never thought Of that How woui
you like the position?' he asked.
"Oh, | wasn't thinking of myself,
she blushed.
81 know you weren't" he replied
'sBut think you would suit me-"
, They were waiting at the office 70
Ina with the expectation of a goo
laugh, but the laugh was on her sid'
The smile on her fEce told them tina
the minute she entered.
,, ." collected the money" sh
J, laughed, fiourishing the check.