The courier-index., 1919-11-21
LOVE VS.. BUSINESS
BY HELEN IvERs.

Sons on her first day of work. She
| timidly glanced around and saw at the
desk, which seemed, by the way, to be
miles away, middle-aged man writ
ing diligently. She coughed discreetly.
The man kept on writing, however,
paying no attention to the newcomer
Joan remembered one of the rules of
her business course. 1t seemed to
stand before her now in blazing let
tiers, BE respectfully self-possessed."
oh, the futility of all those years of
learning How often had she prac-
ticed that dignified but demure walk
to her employers desk to be afraid
now, at the crucial moment.
But afraid she was, and without
backward glance she rushed out of the
office directly into human figure, just
who or what she could not discern,
and only heard family some apparent
apologies.
A few seconds later Walter Curtis
entered his uncles presence.
swell, uncle" he greeted him with
questioning look; rather unusual, isn't
| 1t, for you to so brighten your secre-
tary that she rushes blindly from you?
/ don't think 1t is funny" he added,
as he saw his uncle's eyes twinkle.
Mr.. Weston, however, now broke
into hearty laugh.
II didn't say word to her." he ex-
| planned between times. ooh, Walter,
am I as ferocious as that?" And he
| entrance.
Curtis had to laugh, though unwill-
ingly. go on with your work, uncle"
| he said.
Mr.. Weston again pressed the but
| ton for his new secretary and she en-
tered In a few moments, looking at
him doubtfully. Mr.. Weston, how
| ever, made no sign that he knew this
was not her first entrance, and after
few directions started his dictation.
Joan was the makings of good ste
nographer and Mr.. Weston did not
| fail to note this. AS he watched her
| neat, well-kept hands fly over the pa
| per, he inwardly congratulated him
| self that at last his regime of untidy
secretaries was over
Such things as were going through
| his mind, however, were far distant
from his nephew's Curtis, too, no.
ticed her hands, but took no note OF
their secretarial capabilities. He also
1 nf hnr
| crowned head and the wonderful eye
| lashes that fringed her cheek.
| At last Mr.. Weston was through.
you may go to dinner at IL 40" he
| said.
He looked up suddenly as his
| nephew coughed rather feebly.
"You want to take care OF that
cough, Walter" he said, his eyes
twinkling again.
Joan looked, too. II know of per-
fectly wonderful cough medicine" she
advanced shyly. Mother always
| bought it for u.s."
Go outside with Miss Lake" Mr..
Weston said. 81 am really worried
about you, Walter. This Is my
nephew, Walter Curtis, Miss Lake"
Outside they went, leaving Mr.. Wes-
| ton to his own devices.
AS the days went by Joan proved
her mettle, and Mr.. Weston declared
continually that he could never get
along without her. A stenographer
| who could spell without the delaying
aid of the dictionary, and whose pres
ence was an encouragement instead OF
drawback, was something new TO
him, and he wondered how he ever
managed before.
His only cloud was his nephew,
| which latter developed a strong ana
sudden attachment for his hitherto
| rather neglected uncle and 1t was no
unusual thing to have that now detest-
| cd one be present at his morning die
tation and to stay around for some
time after. He greatly feared that MS
| DAVIS of peace were few and snubbed
| his nephew numerically.
One day on his arrival Curtis real
lied his uncle's worst fears, ana tolu
that long-suffering man that Joan ma
| nromised to marry him.
Mr.. Weston rang his secretary's
bell and jumped up when that young
lady entered.
"Miss Lake." he fairly roared' my
nephew has just told me OF your
promise to marry him. Have no
rights whatever? Am l to be left IN
| the lurch?"
Joan was surprised. "Why, surely
there are plenty of other girls TO take
NV place. did-didn't suppose you
would mind, Mr.. Weston"
"Mind! Am / to lose the best secre-
tarv I have had for years just for the
sake of that young MANI" Mr.. weston
cast a look at his nephew.
Joan looked somewhat relieved
"Oh. IL that's all, Mr.. Weston she
smiled. II have sister-she Is much
better than 1 am as secretary tor
she is more experienced by quite a
few years. Besides" her eyes
+,pinlxled mischlevously, "she is just