Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-07-02
Between FLOORS
BY SOPHIA 3. ccHAN.

sand I don't think there Is any vir-
tue in helping all these war funds with
money given 20 me by dad, so I'm going
to work, and besides buying more War
Savings stamps and contributing to the
Red Cross, I'll be releasing some man
for the service" Marcia Gray spoke
earnestly, at the same time unfolding
@ small piece OF paper, which she
proudly displayed to Bob Eaton's as
tonished eyes.
IAN elevator operators license" he
gasped, then smiled. ITO think of a
woman running an elevator, and of all
women you'll" And Bob, usually SO
sympathetic, could control his mirth
no longer, and was now shaking with
laughter.
Marcia's eyes filled with tears. She
had worked so hard to gain that pre-
cious bit of paper, and had been so in
earnest, and here was Bob ridiculing
her Her chagrin gave way to anger.
Folding the license with snap she ran
into the house with curt, swell, you'll
see, Mr.. Robert Eaton, and don't ever
speak to me again." and shut the door
in his face.
The following day, as Bob stepped
into the elevator in his Office building,
he was amazed to see Marcia at the
wheel. Then, regaining his composure.
he greeted her cheerfully. Marcia met
his smile with a cold, unseeing glance
as she closed the door and started the
elevator. Bob had ample time until
Marcia let him off at the eighth floor
to change his mind about her capable
ity. He had to admit she was much
more polite and efficient than the boy
whose place she had taken-and she
looked sweeter than ever In her plain
gray uniform !! All that day Marcia's
face, framed In the black curls which
rebelliously refused to stay under her
severely serviceable lit. cap, was
hopelessly mixed with. Bob's letters and
reports, and it was with difficulty that
he restrained himself from running to
the elevator. At last, at five o'clock,
he saw her again. and again she ig
1ored him.
So Bob rode up and down in the ele-
vator, hoping against hope that she
would relent. Then, when q month had
passed without any result he decided
to walk, rather than see her so often
and not be able to speak to her.
Perhaps Marcia missed him. for
many times as she saw him running
swiftly up the stairs, she felt an i'm
pulse to call to him. However, she still
remembered how he had laughed at
her, and restrained herself, happy that
in spite of his unbelief, she was sue
ceeding far better than she herself had
dared hope.
Then one day, at the end Of two
months of arduous stair climbing Bob
was very late. and to save time, took
the elevator. Besides, he was wearing
q new, wonderful olive-drab uniform,
which he was very anxious for GER
tain little lady to see. Bob was the
only passenger in the elevator. Mar
cia.s heart leaped, but she said nothing.
And then curious thing happened.
She stopped the elevator between the
seventh and eighth floors, and, turning
around, said warmly, II congratulate
you, Mr.. Eaton" She turned swiftly
back, the light in her eyes forbidding
Bob to say anything.
Marcia's heart sank-the brakes re-
fused to yield! Bob was at her side
Immediately. She silentlysaccepted his
solicitous offer to help. and for fifteen
minutes they worked together. Marcia
sank to the floor when Bob finally told
her it was no use for them to try, and
that they would have to wait until they
were pulled up. -
Half an hour later they were re-
leased from the elevator. Marcia's
face shone radiantly through the oil
from the brakes as she stepped out.
And the radiance from her countenance
was reflected in Bob's, for hadn't she
promised to become Mrs. Eaton. and
wait for him until he came back from
"Oyer there?" And Bob, having true
diplomatic instinct, had agreed 10 Ie'
Marcia work for the time being.