The Press., 1919-12-25
iNTliE LIONS DEN
By GRACE R. OLIN.

 | Lucille think you are carrying this affair little too far" Lucille's | father drowned upon her from the 1 depths of his great office chair, and Uncle Rob, her fathers brother and partner, drowned bit himself. | q quite agree with you in this,
 John," he said. Of course, the office i force might have quaked, or the world ] of business men been diSconcerted for | the firm of Spencer & Spencer were 1 pretty big men and their word carried considerable weight. However, Lu- | cille appeared not to be affected great | ly; she gazed down at her slim ankles | bored.
 'Father," her eyes looked into his serenely, "I can't see why you object l to Mir. Carter, and besides he's so diff ferent from all the rest.''
 "Different!" John Spencer's tone was almost eXasperated. "I can't see wherein he's different. He is simply the fourth eX-soldier your Red Cross | work gave you personal interest in. For each of the four you appealed to l me to give them position. 1 crowded ! Carter in rather than disappoint you, ] though didn't need him."
 Like the others three, he thanks me l by making love to my daughter. 1he 1 others, although they amused you for a 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, MT. Carter is so different His salary is $25 per, just what the 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 the business world certainly make me tired You cheer the boys for their valor in fighting. They win the war for you and come back, looking for jobs. They may get the jobs, but right there the heretofore braves cease. No matter what their herOiSm, what their sacrifice, the danger past, they are just the poorer class, the class your uduSIlleTS ueetu dSSoClftle "ltl.
 "Lucille" Mr. John Spencer looked somewhat hurt. "YOur uncle and l have been in the business long time. We have struggled and worked hare and kept our noses to the grindstOne for years. If we have won the title or 1ions,' we deserve it."
 Hero stuff is all right, but it doesn't pay the rent nor 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"
 q tell you what suggested to your father'' Uncle Rob leaned over to pat the little hand resting on his desk. q suggested letting Carter go; not throw ing him out without a 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- 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 Lucille's side. "Just a moment, please; I want word with you."
 "Certainly" Carter stopped cour- teously by his employers desk.
 'Tm not at all satisfied, young man. Pm going to let you go. Of course, l will see that you get another posi- tion; that is understood, but l don't think you have played square with
 For an instant Carter's grave blue eyes registered amusement, then he drew himself up soberly.
 q 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 he approached with caution and a cunning to match their own.
 "When first met Lucille, and found out that you were her father, I real ized that if you knew my uncles were Carter x Carter, your most bitter ri vals and contestants for the 'lionship hOnOrs,' 1 would have to go slow.
 "Luclle and I thought if I 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 I have some methods of yours to introduce.
 Don't be alarmed, sirs," as Spencer & Spencer clutched at their collars convulsively. 'T have drawn up pa pers ready for your signature, which admit me into the firm. And now, if you'll pardon us, Lucille and 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 against itself shall fall"
 Lucille came over softly and put her smooth cheek against her 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. "Yes, I reckon I remember, all right" MT. John Spencer assured her. "The mouths of the lions were stopped, if my memory is correct"
 The other member of the firm. MT. Robert Spencer, extended his hand to young Carter, and with the other tilt. ed Lucile's chin.
 ''Daniel was scme boy" he re-