The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-09-08
"A
Business Girl
@%D
By cECILLE LANGDoN


Copyright. 1919, by the Western News
paper Unlon.)
Twice 4 week Florence Druse went
down TO her fathers office. 1t was no
visit of pleasure, for she detested the
manager in charge, Arnold Bennett.
He had gained her fathers good
graces, he had tried to insinuate his
attentions upon Florence but she had
heard Of his pitiless discipline which
had turned out many Woodworking
employee for some trivial derelictlon
or because he was personally preju-
diced.
Mr.. Druse had given Florence a
thorough classical and business educa-
tion. Upon disqualification he had set
her ut WORK in the Office for a year.
Now ordered away for a two-months'
rest by his physician, he had called his
daughter into counsel
81 am not afraid but Bennett will
manage affairs all right" he told Flor
ence, "but you know the routine. Twice
a week | want you to go to the office
and check up the outg0 and income. |
have explained to Bennett, who APP
pears really eager to have what he
calls your cooperation"
But If Arnold Bennett supposed
that here was the opportunity Of his
life to make an impression upon the
only child and sole heiress Of the rich
merchant he was woefully mistaken.
Florence allowed no intimacy. She
was all business, went over the books
and daily reports, and simply treated
the manager politely.
One day~a young man called at the
Druse home sending in his name as
Wendell Gordon and word that he
wished to see Miss Druse in connec-
tion with Office business. Florence
was quite impressed with the smodest,
manly bearing of her visitor.
81 was introduced to Mr.. Druse by
the colonel of the regiment | was in
abroad Wendell Gordon told her,
"and your father seemed to take lk-
Ing to a returned soldier looking for
employment He said a position would
soon be open for me- Today | called
at the office to be informed by the man
nger in rather cavalerly way that
there we're no vacancies"
Florence's eyes flashed, She resent
ed instantly the autocratic behavior of
the manager. 1t might have been her
innate dislike for Bennett, or natural
regard for tone Of the soldier boys" ="
but she said quite determlnedly:
81 Shall be at the Office tomorrow
and will speak with Mr.. Bennett about
this matter In any event, you can go
to work as soon as you are ready"
Wenuen Gordon bowed low and he
regarded this positive and evidently
willful young lady with genuine adj
mlration. OF course, Bennett was all
agreeable and smirlling when Florence
directed him to place the new man at
work. lie servilely explained his for
mer attitude by citing the fact that Cor
don had presented no credentials or
evidence Of an engagement with Mr.,
Druse, and that there were many i'm
posters around.
81 fear for the present, the best we
can 90 for the young man is to place
him in the stock ROOM" said Bennett.
"There happens to be a vacancy
there" and so the matter was settled.
Then fate cast those two harmoni'
ous souls into closer contact. UneX-
pectedly Florence met Gordon at Il
military reception where he was one of
Il favored score who were being hon
orcd for exceptional bravery abroad.
That was delightful evening for both,
and Florence kissed her aunt fervent-
" and the latter did not disappTove OF
her inviting the young man to the
house.
lie came, but not ms Florence had eX'
pccted on a certain set evening, but
at the grewsome hour of midnight and
with story that brought into the sit
uation almost an element of tragedy.
Florence and her aunt were just
about to retire when a taxicah ratified
to halt in front of the house. Hur'
rlcd footsteps sounded on the steps
outside. Mrs Wavland opened the
door timOrously. Florence, peering
over her shoulder, recognized Gordon.
At his feet We're two suitcaseS. He
looked anxious and excited. You must
pardon this mceremonious call" he
said. "but a vital matter of business
requires immediate attention, and then
he poured forth truly sensational
story.
He had discovered that a number of
cases invoiced as containing watch