Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-14
DAILY NOVELETTE,
PAULINE'S FIRST
POSITION
BY JOSEPHINE MURPHY

"A figure was Pauline May as she
slowly climbed the stairs of Mrs.
Moore's boarding house.
"It's no use!' she cried. "I must
find position tomorrow II I hope to
continue Hy existence"
After a rather restless night, she
arose and once more started out. At
the employment office she received a
tiny card which bore the name and ad-
dress Of leading business firm. With
new born hope she hurried cheerfully
along Bush avenue. Ten minutes later
found her in Mr.. Randell's office.
Pauline glanced up with a gasp Of
surprise as the head of the firm entered.
1t never occurred to her that this stern
business man could be the same Arthur
Randell she had known and Tilted ten
years before in faraway city of the
West.
After glancing at her reference card
he said, as if speaking to a stranger |:
"You may take this mornings dicta-
tion."
Pauline flushed resentfully. But the
situation had resolved itself into ques-
tion of bread and butter. In the old
days she had affected to despise him /;
but now, as her pencil few to his swift
dictation, there was a revulsion of feel
ing. He had brisk, alert, business
like way. There surely must be some =
thing to a man who could so quickly
have achieved success.
That's ALL" said Randell, finally.
Type those off,"
That night in her room at the board :
ing house she pondered the situation.
She would have thrown up the position
but for familiar imp leering at her
elbow. 1t drove her back to her post
in the morning.
After the mornings dictation was
over she was coolly dismissed. Neither
look nor tone betrayed the slightest Der
sonal interest. Pauline was dismayed
to realize that she felt hurt and dis
appointed. Thus it continued for two
weeks. She began to think he had in
deed forgotten her. Surely he would
want to inquire about old friends and
the dear home city.
A month later Mr.. Randell sat in his
private office glancing through the
morning mail, piled like a pyramid or
his desk. Mechanically Pauline entered
prepared for the usual dictation, pencil
and notebook in hand.
Come back for moment after vou
have typed those off, her employer
said as he finished debating.
Slowly Pauline stumbled through her
morning task and just as slowly re-
traced her steps to his office. She fell
something was going to happen.
You'll never do for this position
Miss May" said Mr.. Randell shortly.
I've seen this for some time. Your
successor will come today. Here's
your back pay and a weeks salary In
lieu of the usual notice"
He pushed the money toward her
Pauline counted out the amount due
her. and leaving the surplus on his
desk, left the Office without a word.
Alone in her stuffy room. she gave
way to her feelings. There was NJ
gleam of light in all the big, cold world
A knock upon her door caused her tt
awake from her reverie. Dashing tn,
tears from her eyes, she opened tn,
door.
"a gentleman to see you, Miss May
said Mrs. Moore.
"Who is it? What does he wantT
cried Pauline all the same breath.
'He gave no name, Miss; somebod,
to see you about new position"
When Pauline entered the shabby, dul
sitting room, tall, erect figure strod
. forward and took forcible possession O
her two hands.
"Arthur!" she faltered dazedly, as |
she had been dreaming.
, He drew her toward the window an,
, looked searchingly into her face.
; you've been crying, Pauline. Tel
me why
Her eyes dropped and her lip
: quivered.
'Was 1t because ! discharged you
3 dear? needn't have been so harsh
hut YOU were getting so pale and thi
: I-I-couldn't bear 1t any longer.
There was a choking In his throat.
= eve can't talk here. Get your ha
n and come with me. My car is at tn
: door. The country rs lovely now, We
make day of it.
"Oh! No! Mo-" she cried.
"But I say yes. dear. Don't 20
q know that I love you more than ever
I wouldn't have told you so {; but I'v
been watching you all these weeks an
I saw that you were learning to car
= for me-just lttle.'
4 "I care-more-than little" sh
}. said.
And Arthur believed her, as he sa'
the light in her soft brown eyes; an
: kissed her lips for the first time
- many days, and now Pauline gives tn
. dictation in a little cottage in th
y suburbs.
(The next complete novelette-Blu
Monday