Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-15
The BEAR
BY MARY e. TAYLOR.
Copyright. 1919. Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate)

When Tom Bradley, the general
manager, returned to the office after
his year Of service with the soldiers
Of Uncle Sam he began Immediately
to put the business on n new efficiency
basis. His military training had
taught him that for success in any
branch of modern life organization
and hard work are essential.
He shook hands all around and had
friendly word for all, but his old
CHEEKY laugh was replaced by n tight
Tipped smile and his merry gray eyes
had n new. cold CLEAN. He was pleas
ant enough but strangely brusque ard
businesslike. He told the office force
that he was glad to be back with them
and that now he was going to try 20
speed up the business. He left them
shortly and they, stared at each other
in amazement. This was not the Tom
Bradley that they used to know. HIS
army life bad affected him very vital
ly, i seemed.
Almost Immediately he sent for
Jicss, The Office boy. Just what was
said was never dfrulged, but it must
have been to tie ps,sst; for when dlfss
returned TO his post Ills fac> was al
most as red as his hair and he began
to reform his young life forthwith.
'He thinks he's still in the army,
guess" he tod bis idol, Miss Hartly,
us he passed her desk. s.saEEsR
Then jenkins, the oiiice head, re-
ceived 4 sur,,1si5Iis to come to Che pri-
Yale Once: That worthy was talking
baseball prospects with some of his
cronies at the time and was very le!s-
urely in responding. He returned in
about five minutes. His friends were
still talking baseball. 7e"~"
whats up. Jim?"' asked one Of
them. :1wH
"Gb-r-rrr." Jenkins growled. sect
busy quick !" The interview evident
ly had not been over-pleasufit. aas
Charlie Ryder, the firms star sales
man, was IN town. and unwisely
dropped III to see his old pal, Rrad-
ley. His assurance and 6ohchalahte
received severe jolt by the chilly
reception he was accorded. And when
Bradley unearthed Charles rather
slim sales report of the preceding
month and told him to hustle aud
either look for new business or q new
job Charlie almost collapsed with sur
prise. He did not stay long. He
stopped in the outer Office just long
enough to christen the boss s'the
Bear"
All was strained industry. Peas
scratched busi1y. Typewriters clicked
as they had never clicked before
Bradieys new personality Pervaded
the place. Even Jiggs, the office boy
WINS doing something useful. Behind
the protecting walls Of his sanctum
the general manager was laughing 81
lently, but very heartily.
The buzzer on Marion Hartly's desk
suddenly warned her that her turn
had come. Every one looked at hel
pityingly and Jiggs began to murmul
sundry dire threats. Marion had
been Bradley's private secretary fol
year before he had enlisted, and
now with old conditions resumed she
She used to look forward to her work
he was always so courteous and
thoughtful but now that he was sc
different, she almost dreaded ii. New
ertheless, she took her note book ant
| pencil, and hurried to the private Of
fee. Her heart was beating strangely
"Sit down-ah-Miss Hartly," Brad
ley said shortly as she entered the
room. How he had changed! Before
she had always been Marion" t.
him.
~ want you to send on advertise
! ment to all the evening papers, for {
stenographer, for secretarial work
She must be accurate, faithful, and st
forth and must have good references
'And after this week." he contin
ued seriously, 1--WE will not need YOU
services here. 1t Is my aim to set ,
high standard of efficiency, and" bu
Marion did not hear the rest.
She could not understand. Sh,
knew that her work had always beer
Of high order. What could hav,
happened? She did not look at him
but bowed and rose to leave.
"Wait, Marion"
She stopped and looked up, for tina
was the voice of Tom Bradley of old
Don't you understand, Marion?" h,
said, coming nearer to her. Don
you understand how I have missed
you while have been away? ] never
realized until left here how muci
you meant to my life. And now
need you and ! want you more thar
ever-not here in the Office, but in {
home Of yours arid mine"
Marion smiled obviously. "But
thought was discharged" she said
mo, Marion, dear" he replied
"You are not discharged Yol
have a permanent position" He pu
his arms out to her.
| "You big bear !" she said but sh.