Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-10
START THIS STORY TO-DAY

ID DUTH arrived at the off1ces Oh ule
AeNew Idea Publishing Company feei-
ing not quite sure of herself, although no
one would have dreamed IL from her
trim appearance. She found the recep-
tion room in which she was to SIT at
tractively furnished in brown leather'
a davenport and several easy chairs
There was a brown desk with desk
chair near a window which she supposed
would be hers. AS she stepped out OF
lie elevator she stopped moment un-
certainly and then went to the nearest
door and knocked It was opened in
stantly by girl who looked somewhat
surprised at the intrusion. Ruth dis
covered a moment later that it was due
TO the fact that it was unusual TO knock
at an Office door.
who did you want to see?" the girl
asked casually. mo one Is in yet, it's
early"
I'm Mrs. Raymond" Ruth explained.
The girl looked puzzled. Evidently
the name meant nothing to her.
I'm to have the position at the desk
in the reception room"
Instantly her brow cleared. 20, of
course. I'll show you where to put your
things. didn't remember the name"
And then she went with Ruth to roomy
cloak room where she explained every
thing, chattering volubly all the time.
Rnf haH uh q
until she explained that she was Mr..
Browning's secretary
"Mr. Browning is the editor" she
added. "Shall tell you about the staff?
There's the managing editor, Miss
Graves, and the different department
editors. You'll soon get TO know them
all. Have you ever worked? DO you
know what TO do?"
Ruth shook her head. Since she had
discovered that this talkative, rather
pleasant girl was only q stenographer,
she was not so impressed, although she
felt too new and strange to turn down
the very evident friendship that this
girl offered.
Here's your desk" the girl went on
going over to the piece or FURNITURE,
pulling out drawers and seeing that
thanked her formally and sat down try.
ing to feel efficient and capable
My name is Helen Ware" the girl
proffered. "Shall we lunch together to-
day? / can show you all the ropes"
But Ruth was not to be lured into a
luncheon engagement. She did not want
10 begin her job by having lunch with
any of the stenographers. She wanted
to show every one from the beginning
that she was a superior type. Perhaps
one Of the editors would be friendly and
in that way she could get ahead.
20. thank you, it's very good of you"
she returned hastily but have prom
ised to lunch with a friend"
Miss Helen Ware nodded brightly, not
bit sauelcfied and went back to her
own office leaving Ruth to herself. Ruth
explored all the drawers, adjusted her
inkwell and pens, pulled her large blotter
straight, investigated several little
desk boxes and found clips, and pins,
several erasers, etc, and then sat and
waited for something to do.
Several people came in, eyed her Gu
riously and disappeared inside OF differ
cnt doors. She barely looked at them.
but kept her eyes turned in the other
direction. Finally Miss Ware appeared
and smiled in a friendly fashion.
Mr.. Brown will see you now, Mrs.
Raymond she said briskly. And Ruth
got up and followed her into the inner
office
The place was flooded with sunshine,
and was quite large. Out of the corner
of her eye Ruth could see Miss Wares
desk over in a corner Mr.. Browning
sat at n huge desk that seemed to fill
'one end of the room. He looked UP and
nodded as Ruth came in, indicating
chair for her to sit in. but he did not
rise. Ruth felt somehow out of her
element and strangely uncomfortable.
Mr.. Browning was talking to some
one over the telephone, and she excused
him for not rising on those grounds,
so she dropped into the chair and
waited for him to speak
When he turned to her at last, she
rather liked him. He was tall and
rather spare. His hair was family
gray at the temples and although he
was not handsome he looked clever.
She smiled family. Ruth was al
ways loveliest when she smiled, Because
it seemed to light up so much of her
face all at once. She used all her
features.
Miss Jeffries explained the position
10 your he asked. He spoke briskly,
as though his time was valuable, and