Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-05-08
AND II HAPPENED!
D. HELEN 4. RvAM.E
tcopyrixht. 1911. by the Mcclure Nswspa-
; per syndics tel


per syndics tel
4 Our smoothly running, eihcient Of.
ice was in the grip Of romance
youthful, exuberant, rOse-cOlOred 70.
mance-and It, was most disconcert-
ing. There was Virginia, quite the
life and fun Of the place (when the
presidents back WINS turned), leaving
us to Join her young husband, who
had Just been given commission
and was stationed somewhere on the
coast.
Then there was Blanche Hodgkins,
our capable and always dependable
head bookkeeper, who was som to
follow virginia's bridal footsteps. We
had some wonderful lunch hourH to-
eether, Blanche and L
Ned Sullivan had passed In his rec.
ignation and was going to an a,ta.
ton detachment down south some
where and little Mae Clement told
me in strictest confidence that. they
had lately become engaged.
Nell and Joe, who though really In
love with each other, were always
failing out" had made up and life
was like a sweet love song again for
them.
Even our middle.aged collector.
who was twice a widower, had sig
nifled his intentions Of marrying his
landlady.
Romance. romance everywherel
But not breath Of It touched my
life.
Here was I, Nora Monahan, first
assistant to the president, around
whom nearly everything had always
revolved, outside the pale Of It ALI
Just then Mr.. Maglone, the prasident
Of the Arm, came out and stood by my
desk. @
much work, Miss Monahanf' he In.
quired with his usual brevity.
"Why, yes, I'm really swamped,' /
confessed.
OF course he had to come out at the
precise minute when wasn't occupy
ing myself. That always happens to
me. might be working like Tro-
Jan all morning and stop for Just q
seconds hilarity-and get caught. The
others. for instance, have all the fun
they want when 1.-THE cats away" and
when he appears on the scene every
thing is serene and quiet. OF course
I really don't care. but 1t gives one q
wrong impression sometimes, you
know. Anyway, I've always consoled
myself that confession is good for the
SOUL" so I remarked very casually,
1--WE really mountain Of work ahead
Of me, but somehow can't seem to
concentrate today,
y :sSo wonder" he said, half under his
breath, "with all the excitement and
pandemonium that's existing around
here these last few days. don't think
ever struck such a thoroughly roman.
tic place in my lifei"
! looked up rather i'd surprise. Mr..
Maglole Is usually very brief, He Is
one Of the finest and keenest business
men have ever met, and he never
mixes business with sociability, 90
was even more astOnished when he
cried, gfhncing at the flowers on my
desk, "Don't tell me TINT you are fol.
towing In the wake of all the others
Has some gay Lothario sent you
those?
mercy, NOT" I laughed. Showers
are my one extravaganza. Haven't you
ever noticed7 I have always ut least
one posy on my desk, even In the dead
Of winter"
"sure they don't come from anybody
else3'
"Of course not! I've wrapped my
self up in my work so much t.lat I've
never had time to think Of anyone
even II, anyone had shown any interest
which they haven'ti"
"I'm glad Of that" and he left mi
abruptly and went back to the PR
vate Office.
.Selfish brute!" cried to myself
although have always held On adni
ration and respect for him. which ha'
amounted almost to reverence. "He'i
afraid II / 60 he won't get anybody t,
plug MS hard as ! have for his paltr!
e18 peru
But was mistaken, for when wa
putting. away my ledger after the 9th
ers had gone, he said to me quietly
almost gently, "Don't you ever grow
weary Of the perpetual grind Of you
work.
ooh, sometimes" I answered care
lessly, jabbing my pin viciously int
:, nv hat. -