The central record., 1920-02-12
BY JACK LAwToN.


stranger. while the girls have too
many good times of their own To both.
cr about lonely mc. Miss rlIuy. dear.
how de- you spend your time and keen
from utter dullnessf'
The elder woman smiled
Il used 60 ask myself just that ques.
ton She replied "uutl learned
how "a ind. and give. happiness My
dear Violet" MIss riiuy leaned for.
ward her shrywd cye, sparkling. Eve
had many luy, affairs. though never a
lover liizhly diNcrtlue affairs they
we're fuu
Violet stared "Nou don't mru." she
asked ashast. THAT you loved without
having your love rctumed-aud were
hapf
"ENH,tly.' nodded Miss rluy.
Violet closed her typewriter
Il can't see" she said hglhugly.
chow that could brighten lonely eve
min.
The elder woman studied the girl
with certain iuscrutahie expression.
which her ussociufcs in the Office rec
oguIfod as preceding some clever
business venture. Mis- pliuy had long
been valued. though silent member
of the firm.
"Gpod night" nodded Jim Bradley
toward her desk a. he took his de.
parture Good night" called Billy
Blair the Office faVoriie. Miss Pliny
responded abscntly. She was thinking
of little Violet. and wondering impa.
tiently why these same good looking
honest young frllows could pass her
shy. pretty assistant each day, without
a CLEAN of interest In their facesl Miss
Pliny knew the firms employees they
were good boys. aud straight on the
road TO success. II was as Violet said.
The other merry girls Of the ofiv
openly refused to recognize her exist.
cnCe.
The giri slipped into her chair next
morning with her usual low-Voicrd
greeting and IL was not until near
closing time that Miss Pliny became
aware 81 a certain suhdued excitement
In her manner Niolets blue eyes CLINT.
cd her pale checks WIRE flushed with
color.
Miss Pllny," she sa'l at last breath.
lessly. "the most wonderful thing has
happened. ! don't know how 90 explain
It. aud ! do not know. exactly, what
to do. Please, advise me. ON my desk
when | came back from lunch. was Il
florists box filled with glorious red
roses. Red roses. Miss Pliny. with an
audacious curd reading. Red roses. for
love Nothing more. Miss Pliny. Ne
clue at all a. to the sender. The m>-
sage had apparently been written by
the florist for when | called up to
learn the name II the donor. the clerk
Informed me that the person distinctly
wished 10 remain unknosn have
met no men here. Miss Pliny. save
those In the office. and you know. how
likely they would he. to send me
flowers"
Just wait and keep quiet" advised
Miss Pliny safely: truth will come
out"
After the fourth box Of fragrant
roses had been received. Jim bradley
approached Miss Pliny's desk.
so the quiet one has a ,.ntimental
admirer." be said laughIngly.
Violet i lovely enough Ia have
dozen of admirers" Miss Pliny
hrusquely rriorted.
Aud Jim bradley. pausinr regarded
With a new light In his eyes the bowed
head of the little stenographer. Biny
Blair, passing later. motioned toward
the crimson bloom.
Tribute ~ dcyotlonf" he asked |
Miss rliny. "or are We turning into a |
=
Mlss pliny smiled. "Dryotion would
he Niolet's tribute" she
said.
Rilly Blair gazed into the happily
face of the steuogrupher.
as though he we're for the first time.
seeing her.
Miss rliny. seated before her desk
several weeks later locked up 10 see
Violet standing shining-cycd before
ler. n have something Go ten you"
Violet said, 81 am going 10 be- mar.
He'd, and to Bllly ltlair. Miss Pllny.
Inn BRADLEY actually asked me. too.
{ u all "a remarkable. Zach of those
oolish bays Insisted upon believing
hat the other sent me aowers, SO.
4 course, my red roses could have
ome from neither. | hope" Nlolet's
adiant eyes clouded. that whoever
was. will not he unhappy" Il
Who Il was won't be-" Miss Pliny
risky responded. "Mhoexer IL was
, hanny Inaaed Sh.ss h...a h..,i... -, 4