Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-11-06
"a
Business Girl
~@
BY CECILLE LANGDoN


visit of pleasure. for She detestcd the
manager in charge, Arnold Bennett.
lie had gained her fathers good
graces, he had tried To insinuate his
attentions upon Florence. but she had
heard of his pitileSs discipline which
had turned out many a Woodworking
employee for some trivial derelcton
or because he was personally preju-
diced.
Mr.. Druse had given Florence n
thorough classical and business educa-
tion. Upon her graduation he had set
her AT work i'm the Office for Il year.
Now ordered away for a two-months'
rest by his physician. he had called his
daughter into counsel.
81 am not afraid but Bennett will
MANAGE affairs all right" he told Flor
ence, hut you know the routine. Twice
~ week | want you 10 so 10 the Office
and check uf' The outgo and income. |
have explained TO Bennett. who ap-
pears really eager 10 have what he
calls your cooperation"
But If Arnold Bennett supposed
that here was the opportunity OF his
life 10 make an impression upon the
only child and sole helress of the rich
merchant, he was woefully mistaken.
Florence allowed no intimacy She
was all business, went over the books
and daily reports. and simply treated
the manager politely.
one day young man called at the
Druse home. sending In his name rs
Wendell Gordon. and word that he
wished TO see Miss Druse In cOnnec-
ton with Office business. Florence
was quite impressed with the modest,
manly bearing of her visitor.
81 was introduced 10 Mr.. Druse by
the colonel of The regiment | was In
abroad" Wendell Gordon told her.
'and your father seemed TO take II lik-
Ing 10 returned soldier looking for
employment. He said position would
soon be open for me. Today I called
nj the office to be informed by the man
ager i'm rather cavalierly way that
there were no vacancies"
Florence'S eyes flashed She resent
ed instantly the autocratic behavior OF
the manager. II might have been her
innate dislike for Bennett, or natural
regard for zone OF the soldier boys"
bur She said quite determinedly.
Il shall be AZ the office tomorrow
and will speak with Mr.. Bennett about
this matter. In any event. you can 20
to work as soon aS you are ready
no
regarded this positive and evidently
willful young lady with genuine adj
milation. OF course Bennett was all
agreeable and Sinking when Florence
directed him 10 place the new man al
work He servilely explained his for
mer attitude by citing the fact that Cor
don had presented no credentials OF
evidence OF an engagement with Mr.,
Druse. and that there were many i'm
posters around
IL fear for the present, the best we
can do for the young man is to place
him in the stock room" said Bennett.
"There happens 10 be vacancy
there" and so the matter was settled.
Then fate cast those two harmoni-
Gus souls into closer contact. Cnex-
pectedly Florence met Gordon ~ "A
military reception where he was one "
ored for exceptional bravery abroad.
That was "A delightful evening for both,
and Florence kissed her aunt fervent-
~ and the latter did not disapprove OF
her inviting the young man Ia The
house.
He came. but not as Florence had ex-
pected on a certain set evening. but
at the grewsome hour of midnight and
with II story that brought into The Sit
uation almost an element " tragedy.
Florence and her aunt were just
about To retire when q taxicab rattled
TO n halt in front of the house. iiur-
ricd footsteps sounded OF the steps
outside Mr. Wayand opened the
door timorously Florence. peerlng
over her shoulder. recognized Gordon.
AT his feet were two Suitcases. He
looked anxious and excited. you must
pardon this unceremonious call" he
said but vital matter Of business
requires immediate attention. and then
he poured forth truly sensational
story.
He had discovered That a number OF
cases invoiced as containing watch
Jewels, springs and other like utilities.
limited Of bulk hut representing some
thing like $4,000 In value. were
empty. He had made y secret inves-
LEGATION and suspicion as to Arnold
Bennett led TO q remarkable discovery.
In his room. packed away ready for
shipment to confederate were the
missing goods, and everything pointed
to the belief that the unfsithful man
nger WIS just about 10 disappear with
them. and possibly other assets OF the
firm
At once Florence telephOned for the
firms lawyer. There was no sleep for
these active workers the rest Of that
night. A detective was sent after
Bennett and he was forced to disgorgs
the rest OF his piunder
II was q strange situation-tlorcnce
giving her hand TO Gordon 10 q warm.
good-by clasp in the garish light OF
the new day A reflection of the far
off reddening hues OF dawn was upon
her fair cheek. her glance expressed
something more vivid than interest.
aud, as their eyes met. their depths
showed a mutual love light that time
would glorify into full radiance.