The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-07-11

cy ELIZABETH SMITH.

VtNN III Il IltNutt bliitt Oh TIE w OOH |
worth Manufacturing company where
for ten years she had typed for the en-
glneer. Through the opened sliding
windows In the partition, which sepa-
rated her sanctum from the counting
room, she could plainly hear Paymas-
| ter Truesdale and Mr.. Dooling, the
bookkeeper. STRENGTHENING out the pay
| roll. There was also an occasional
word from the travelling man, Mr..
Bangs.
"Oh. dear!" unused Mary. signing, as
she caught a glimpse OF herself in the
large mirror over Mr.. Robeys desk
| across the room. ''Tm surely getting |
old, yet I'd do 1t over again Just the !
same. Anyway, mother had every com
fort while she lived, If we did live in |
two rooms. Therell always be COM
fort for me in the remembrance OF
that. No, have no regrets, but can't
deny that | am very lonesome"
Mary was getting old. She had just
ripened into full womanhood with no
more plumpness than that which be-
longs to the well-rounded curves OF
twenty-eight. Always attractive, with
her perfectly matured grace and poise,
she was now positively beautiful.
And so the young men In the count
ing room must have thought, for all
of them had proposed during her years
at the plant. On being refused, they
had one by one found life partner
4 elsewhere.
mo" Mary had told them. while
mother lives my sole duty is to care
for her. And SHE had cared for her
most tenderly until the end, which was
now a year bnck.
Miss Greeley" called Truesdale
through the partition windows, have
you heard whether we're to have time
Off to see the president? l believe he
is to land ut eleven at Commonwealth
pier"
Eyes" smiled Mary sweetly. but 4
hear Mr. Robey talking just outside
our door. He has just been to tell the
department heads. Here he is-he'u
tell you himself
The engineer, who enjoyed the same
princely salary as the general manager,
was, owing to the absence of the lat
ter, In full charge. He opened the door
and announced:
"They are going to knock off at IL 30
l advise that you go to the other end
Of the works. You can see the presi-
dent plainly from the windows there"
"All right, thank YOU" came from
Truesdale. But we have little more
to do
Mr.. Robey, a short, stout, austere ap
pearing little man, with steely COLI
"a blue eyes and closely trimmed var
90 dyke, now busied himself with a blut
- print.
~ what pity" thought Mary, he
eyes running casually over him. "Wha
- queer person he Is, to be sure-llvin
- in a lovely house with no wife-Only
- man for cook and housekeeper. Ant
70 no golf, no tennis, no club. except thu
yacht club, and only speed boats for I
hobby. Well, he Is bachelor at thlr
ty-fve. l suppose he'll always sta,
- SINGLE
"Wen, 1t Is II 30" announced thai
gentleman rising, watch in hand. -
y think I'll move down to the other enc
of the building"
q When near the office, Mary met Mr.
Robey, who smiled at the coincidence
NJ Of their both returning. II am golni
y. for cigar" he explained. Then h
r. courteously opened the door and the.
entered Crossing the soft carpete'
n floor they went to their desks for tn
ds sought-for articles.
id. Mary had picked up her knittin
an and was rising to go, and Mr.. Robe
NJ had Just found his cigars, but sa
glancing at blueprint when:
n" "Robey is boob p 1t was Trues
he dale talking.
~. Nothing less" agreed Bangs.
he The engineer and his secretary bot
De- held high ideals. Although they al
MT horred eavesdropping, their surpris
held them spellbound.
M 'Why, just think of It," expatiate
1T Truesdale, as he struck light for h
me cigar. Here is man thrown into tt
so daily companionship Of the lovelle
ers and wamest hearted girl in all Bosto
$. and he hasn't known enough in
Inc these years to make love to her Ugf
uts I'm disguised with his blindness! !"
Same here!' offered Bangs. IF
lch sees no beauty in anything but a co
10 founded old engine"
ou' "If / were he" came from Doolin
10 IL wouldn't wait a minute. I'd sa
Mary, will you marry meT"
rks SLAM! went the door.
10 AS the young mems footsteps gre
lew fainter down the corridor Mr.. Rob
IFS. ,oked up from his blueprint al
In across the room at Mary, who HI
elp- sumped into her chair with her ne
site bent forward and her eyes resting &C
i've fusedly on the desk.
nt Crossing the room the dapper lit
s man laid one hand very tenderly
snts Marys shoulder; with the other
In took her right hand and raising
ege- to his lips declared.
be ct was pretty queer, Miss Greel'
hut II was true. You heard what DO