The Press., 1920-04-29
MICE AND A PUMPKIN
 COACH
Bv CRAWFORD LUTTRELL

jOyed it." Nan announced to the anX- iously inquiring two who turned to | welcome her at the sound of her key in the lock. She tossed off her smart black sailor hat and sat down on hassock by her mother. "l feel so nl- portant and although 1 don't know much yet, know that l will learn. am giving my entire time and thought to it. have no silly sentimental ideas about my boss falling in love with ne. Fortunately, he is bald, fat and forty, and his wife rings up every two or three hours to tell him something about the kids or to remind him to go by the bakers for bread. Why don't | women attend to their own business as men do?"
 "PShawr" sighed fifteen-year-old Ruth. "I hoped that there would be | a young man in the office, good-looking and rich, and that he would come | around on Sundays and take us all | out riding to the country" Nan looked up at her and winkcd "Perhaps l can find that agreeable | sort of boss next time l look for I work" Then to her mother: "l am glad that things are just as they are. Personally l don't believe in mixing | business and pleasure and in drawing | a weekly pay envelope for time spent in trying to get husband. Do you. | muddie, dear?'
 "When the right man comes along you'll know it, Nan, whether you are at dance or buying chops at butch | or'c hnI thot jS fat guarding these issues of life. Perhaps | it sounds foolish for an old woman | like me to say such things, but it is one of my pet theories, grounded in in | numerable cases of fact that l have observed"
 "I don't agree with you, mother" said the sophisticated fifteen-year-old. "When I grow up I am going to pick. out the best-loOking, richest man in town and set about making him fall in love with me. Getting married is every woman's first business in life. Why. already l am encouraging Billy McMahan. His father owns a plumb ing place, l know, but he is making money so fast that in two or three years from now the daily papers will quote him about everything, calling him colonel or general or something. Blood don't count any more. Why, | nobody but the ten-year census man | ever asks about your grandmother" "Oh. wisdom in short skirts!" gasped Nan. Its hard to say such things to mother. Ruthie. You know | it shocks her."
 l You might just as well know how feel about such things. Of course, 1 expect to go to work just as soon as leave high school and help cheer fully so that you will have most of your salary to spend on yourself, Nan. Mother has her little income and may be by that time prices will take a tumble and we can manage better than we do now"
 Mrs. Taylor laughed a bit shakily. Then she drew a letter from her dress pocket. "I have some astonishing news, girlies. Nan, you can resign | tomorrow"
 Resign! Why?"
 Your father bought some mining stock many years ago and we just con- | sidered the money lost. but today while you were at the office and Ruth was at school a strange lawyer called | and told me that-that we are 10 | have three hundred dollars month from the investment. wanted to ring home. but I saved the news for | happy surprise tonight" Ruth threw her books on the floor and began a sort of Indian war dance. chanting weirdly as she circled the | two. Nan sat there as if she had been turned into stone.
 Aren't you glad, Nan, dear?" asked her mother. bending over to touch her
 "I'm just staggered, stunned, but am not going to give up my position"
 "Why, child. we can live beautiful ly on what I have and that three hun dred and send Ruth to college too."
 "I know" said Nan, seriously Ut nearly killed me to even think of uo-
 ing into mans office to earn my own | livelihood. All those months that l studied at business college were like d nightmare to me, but I conquered the feeling and now I won't give it up. I feel capable. l like getting up and going out every day. I like the hum of tha office. people coming and going, all of it. It fascinateS me-"
 'Tll bet there is a man in that of flee that you like" exploded Ruth suddenly.
 Nobody but MT. Henderson, and he doesn't look as if he had ever been young enough to think of romance" explained Nan haughtly.
 T thought you said the firm was Henderson x Henderson, daughter"
 Tt i>. He has q brother or n nephew or somebody WhG does all of the out of-town business. haven't even seen him."
 The telephone bell tinklcd. then rang vigorously, inSiStently.
 Its man and he wants YOU,
 tersely announced Ruth. who always rushed to answer calls.
 | In few minutes Nan turned away
 from the telephone. "It'S Mir. Tender
 sons nephew. He has just come in
 from the East. He wants to explain
 some letters to me. corrections To be
 made. l guess l must have b,nglpd
 them. mud,lie. when thought that
 wns do'n" Sn we'll His voice was a~
 curt as it could be. Maybe had bet
 ter resign, after all! !"
 Look him over first!' admonished
 the willy Ruth. "I thought his volce
 was perfectly delicious. When is he
 coming? Let's have supper over then
 you slip on that dark blue georgette
 You look like million dollars il
 that"
 'Ruthie. don't be so slangy!" said
 the mother patiently.
 Silly child" laughed Nan. picking
 up her hat and starting toward her
 bedroom. l told you did not expect
 to mix business and pleasure. Do you
 think would ever fuss up for my en- l raIc 4lo.. x,a.. to ,,,,.itc C