The Press., 1919-04-03

 no longer be called exactly young, but an indef1nable happy turn to her lips l reflected neverabsent sense of humor. She was conservatfvely and economically dressed in a dark serge skirt which eloQuently testified by its sheen its fourth year of continuous service. Black, low-heeled shoes and a white lawn waist completed the busi- nesslike severity of her costume, re- lieved only by small amethyst brooch fastened to the throat.
 Right you are, Rodney" she re- piled, but her voice did not have its usual buoyancy. The man noticed 1t.
 "What's the matter, old scout?" he asked consolingly, getting up from his chair and proffering her bag of cara mels. She refused the confection.
 Hired. Helen?"
 "Yes, am-tired to think that you've got to hide a cigarette in your pocket as if you were a little kid, and tired of that" pointing contemptuous- 1y to the door marked "Private," "old- maid teacher"
 Rodney smiled. "Let up on the old maids, Helen. You're living In glass house all your own."
 "Oh, but I'm a woman and it makes no difference if push the keys of this comptometer forever. But you're SUD- posed to be man and make name for yourself in this world. Does the prospect of smoking when 1t pleases the other fellow appeal to you for the rest of your life7"
 Rodney stood silent. This was a new Helen.
 Look here, Helen, we've been work ing together now for nearly ten years right in this office, and you've never talked this way before. You know I've never dared risk starting something for fear I'd fail. So I've been content to put up with the old man."
 "Well. you've got to take a chance some time. Shame, that for the se- curity of three meals day you've been content to lodge in rut! Don't fol- low my example. Here I am we'll along in the thirties, and still letting this thing think for me-" and she gave the comptometer a vicious shove. You get out, Rodney, and take a chance. A man at forty is still young these days"
 Helen smiled at the unusualness of their conversation and her new role of adviser. She couldn't help smil- ing.
 "Well, I'll tell you what" he an- swered. as he clapped his hands to- gether to seal the bargain, "you sug- gest the venture, and I'll do it-or bust"
 Helen laughed out loud. "Foolish," she said, without serious intent, Ego buy a delicatessen."
 Rodney's mouth closed with a snap.
 "Jiggers, the boss :"
 And as Mir. Joseph Q. Hattisbury re- entered the outer office he found his employees zealously performing those duties for which he never let them for get he paid them. He tramped noisily over to Helen's desk. Despite her dis like for him, she could never help but feel that he treated her just little more considerate that he did the oth- CTS.
 "rd like to see those totals, Miss Bently," he said in stentorian tones, and Helen shivered as he leaned his portly frame over her. He did not seem to be paying much attention to the figures as he nervously fingered his watch charm. Come into my office," he ordered peremptorily.
 Puzzled, she followed him into the room, and Rodney looked up as the door closed with its customary bang. Here's where she gets it," he thought.
 Perhaps Helen was "getting it."
 Miss Bently," her employed abrupt ly began. He cleared his throat with a rasping noise and Helen fortified her self for the worst. "I intend to make you my wife,"
 Helen reeled.
 "YOu've been a good employee for the past ten years." he went on, as if he were merely increasing her salary, "and I don't think you'll waste my money if marry you."
 He paused to cough. Docs the lady select the wedding dayT he cross examined.
 A hot and scathing refusal was on Helen's lips. Oh! The mans auda- cious arrogance! Was she nothing but another step in his upward progress? Did she have no choice? How long had she been under consideration? Was her position in jeopardy? The ques- tions raced like flashes of lightning through her confused mind. Then as in panorama there passed before her the years of confining hours, the toil- ing days and the nights without recre- ation-just work, work and more work that one might live. The very white ness of her waist semed to implore surcease from frequent washings and the shiny serge skirt silently pleaded honorable discharge from service.
 And here was liberationi Within her grasp was material ease for the rest of her years. Helen hesitated.