Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-04
Our EVENING
Story
yepyrIEht. 1913. By Western Newspaper unIos.l

al severity of facial expression int
tone whenever he dictated a letter to
Miss Davis, the head stenographer or
the great business establishment ne
dominated. Somehow she vas different
from the average run of typewriters.
"She doesn't pound the keys as II
she we're handling a hammer" observ-
ed Mr.. Leeds to his manager. Then
again she doesn't wear punches of hair
over her ears, and therefore never has
to have a sentence repeated to her."
Then, too, the pleasant, but digni-
fed young woman In question had de-
veloped a cooperating business capa-
bility that aroused the ~profoundest ap-
probation Of her employer. IT had
pleased him to recognize how quickly
she had accommodated herself to her
new environment, how speedily she
learned the system of the establish
ment. She tool a real interest In all
the routine of business, dull as 1t was,
and one day amazed her employer by
pointing out a discrepancy In some ac-
counts, which led to the discovery that
q group of employees were systematl-
cnlly robbing him. 1t led to the sub
stitutlon of more trustworthy men and
a permanent stoppage of a leak In the
profits of the business.
Mr.. Leeds had dictated several let
tiers to a travelling salesman III had
charge of what was now as the
Charlestown district, complaining or
his Inability to produce as much busi-
ness as he had formerly turned In.
The salesman had become resentful
and resigned In the midst of a busy
season. Mr.. Leeds fumed and fretted,
advertised for a salesman, but none
of the applicants was acceptable.
"Mr. Leeds" said Nina one day, In
her quiet and impressive way, 81 think
] might help you out of your dilemma.
I have "a relative at CharlestOwn, a
very reliable and estimable young man,
and If you care to try him L think he
viii be able TO hold your business In
the district"
II think it due to you after your
demonstration of business ability in
the past to trust your good judgment"
responded Mr.. Leeds. ut would be q.
great relief to me TO have this bother
some matter : Il my hands"
Nina's face wore a peculiarly happy
expression as she sat about tipping a
letter. She made sure no one In the
Office got a glimpse of II. A few days
later she spoke to Mr.. Leeds about
the matter again.
az wrote to my-my relative" she
said, "and gave his name to the busi-
ness manager, who will send him sam
pies and Instructions"
"very good" nodded Mr.. Leeds, and
nfter that he made 1t a custom to
stop at her desk each morning when
he came In and speak a few pleasant
words to her. During twenty years
hard, systematic dealings with bis en-
ployees, she was the first one to pene-
trate the crust Of his stern. systematic
nature. Alan Burt. the new man In
the Charlestown district, made good
from the start. At the end OF the
first month Mr.. Leeds came to Miss
Davis with a pleased face.
"Your relative has made a record,
Miss Davis" he told her. and she her
self seemed as delighted As himself
over the success Of her relative" A
few days later Mr.. LIZ eds came to her
late in the afternoon.
Miss Davis" he spoke, II have men
toned you a good many times to Mrs
Leeds. and she has directed me t.
bring you home with me to dinner
You know she is a confirmed invali
and you will be comforting a pleasure
upon both of US. Our home life II
a lonely one. We had a son, but nevei
mind that" and the tones grew
tremulous.
II the business capabihty of Miss
Davis had appealed to her employer
her gentle ways and charming face
completely won his invalid wife. Re
peatedly Nina was asked to the Leeds
home. Then came the startling state
ment from Mr.. Leeds n day.
'Miss Davis, my wife wants yor
and needs you-not rs a mere frient
and companion, but as one OF ourselves
We both love You. VIII you becom'
our adopted daughterf'
sYouEyou must give me time t.
think over -FOUR kind, your very kin
proposition replied Nina breathlessly
the tears filling her eyes.
She came to him again later in tn
day. "Mr. Leeds" she said steadily
but with an evident effort, II have
confession TO make-my being In you
employ has been part of a plot. l ar
not Nina Davis, / am Nina Leeds, tn
wife of your son, Bertram Leeds"
Mr.. Leeds stood spellbound. Sh
went on: "Bertram abandoned all hi
reckless ways when he became m,
husband. He is a pew man and a goo
man, but not very fortunate In
business way until you employed hir
as your representative at Charles
town"
"what! That is-that is your re
ative,-Alan Burtr"
IAN assumed name, like my own,
confessed Nina. "Mr. Leeds-father-
for the sake Of the longing love G
your wife, our mother, take back tn
boy who has seen the error Of his way
aad Graves forgiveness"
Robert Leeds sat for a few moment
overcome by the ~bewilder1ng deye
opments Of the occasion. Then tbs
strong spirit broke down. His fas
fell into his outstretched arm as I
@r<faraH ~hrokeulv.