The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1919-12-05
IN THE LIONS DEN
BY GRACE r. OLIN.

(S, 1919, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
Lucille, I think you are carrying
this affair little too far.p Lucille's,
father frowned upon her from the
depths Of his great office chair, and
Uncle Rob, her fathers brother and:
partner, frowned a bit himself
Il quite agree with you in this,
John," he said. Of course, the Office
force might have quaked, oIsthe world
of business men. been diseoncerted, for
the firm of Spencer & spencer were
pretty big men and their. wofdscarred
considerable weight. Reviewer, Lu-
cille appearedfno to be afeetaa great
Iy; she gazed dewn at her slimaankles
and smotlfered "a yawn asst a trifie
bored.
Father" her eyes looked into his
serenely, "I can't see why you object.
to Mr.. Carter, and besides hess'so diff.
ferent from all the rest"
, different !" JOHN Speneers tone
was almost eXasperated. 81 cansssee
wherein he's different. He is simply
the fourth ex-soldieF' your Red Cross
work gave you personal interest in
For each Of the FOUR you appealed tt
me to give them position. + crowded
Carter in rather than disappoint you
though didn't need him.
Like the others three, he thanks m,
by making love to my daughter. The
others, although they amused you for o
while, soon wearied you, but this fel
low evidently possesses some added
charm, for you accept his attentions
gladly, to all appearances"
"But, father" Lucille was persist
ent, "Mr. Carter is so different.
"His salary is S25 per, just what thu
others get" threw in Uncle Rob dry
ly. ''Wouldn't keep you in hats, even.'
Hell get to the top all right" de
Tended Lucille. "You lions in thu
business world certainly make me
tired. You cheer the boys for theii
valor in fighting. They win the wal.
for you and come back, looking for
jobs. They may get the jobs, but right
there the heretofore bravos cease. Nc
matter what their heroism, what theil
sacrifice, the danger past, they are
just the poorer class, the class your
daughters needn't associate with"
Lucille" Mr.. John Spencer looked
somewhat hurt. "Your uncle and
have been in the business long time
We have struggled and worked hard
and kept our noses to the grindstone
for years. If we have won the title of
1ions,' Wdeserve. it."
'HeraIf is all right, but it, doesn't
pay the fznor buy groceries, does it,
Why, Carter has had two chances TO
go with other firms. He's a bright
fellow, and there is $5 raise
in each case. But, no, the other men
didn't have daughters"
81 tell you what suggested to your
the little hand resting on his desk. Il
suggested letting Carter go; not throw
ing him out without job, but forcing
one of his recent offers upon him."
Her father turned suddenly and
pressed a certain button on his desk.
"Send Carter in," he said to the red
haired Office boy. And the next mo-
ment a tall, well-built young man
crossed the threshold. "Good morning,
Daniel" called Lucille, cheerily.
"Why. Lucille" the young mans
face lighted up wonderfully.
"Carter!' John Spencer stopped him
with a gesture ere he could cross to
Lucilles side. "Just moment, please;
l want a word with you"
Certainly" Carter stopped cour-
teously by his employers desk.
"Tm not at all satisfied, young man.
I'm going to let you go. Of course,
will see that you get another posi-
ton; that is understood, but l don't
think you have played square with
me. Speak out like a man. Do you?"
For an instant Carter's grave blue
eyes registered amusement, then he
drew himself up soberly.
81 haven't played square with you,
sir" he answered. "Of course I've
been very honest with your daughter.
but my year in the trenches taught me
valuable lesson. You see, lions and
German foxes must be approached with
caution ard q cunning to match their
own.
'FNhen first met Lucille, and found
out that you were her father, | real
lied that if you knew my uncles were
Carter & Carter, your most bitter ri
vals and contestants for the 'lionship
honors,' 1 would have to go slow.
Lucille and 1 thought if l could
establish myself in your good graces
that would be, of course, the first step.
Needless to say, my uncles want me
with them, especially now as l have
some methods of yours to introduce.
Don't be alarmed, sirs," as Spencer
& Spencer clutched at their collars
convulsively. 81 have drawn up pa
pers ready for your signature, which
admit me into the firm. And now, IL
you'll pardon us, Lucille and l will run
off to lunch. Don't forget the papers
you are sure to sign, gentlemen. You
know, I shall belong to the house, and
a house divided againsi: itself shall
fall"
Lucille came over softly and put her
smooth cheek against he< fathers.
Father, you and Uncle Rob know
the story about Daniel in the lions
den,' don't you?" she asked innocently.
Spencer and Spencer exchanged
glances. Eyes, I. reckon 1 remember,
all right" Mr.. John Spencer assured
her. "The mouths of the lions were
if my memory is correct"
The other member of the firm, Mr..
L l,Io nxtnnlnl his hand To