Gilpin observer., 1920-02-05
MOLLIE
by MILDRED WHITE.

SeSSSSSeSSSSSSSSS
| Copyright. 1880. Western Newspaper Union)
David" said Eleanor, II warn you.
do not pI opose to me again. It's get
ting to lie the habit with you, and
am at the end of my patience. You
know very well that do not love you;
If l did, would have married you
/ long ago. Frankly, you are not low
able man, David, or rather, you are
too humble to inspire deep admiration.
Women do not wish to be 'unreason-
ably Nadored, David. I tell you this
for your own good. They admire in
dependence in man, it wins respect.
Now, David, haven't you adored me
unreasonable No matter how
have treated you, and admit that my
/ whims have been ineXcusable-you
have promptly forgiven them all, Da-
cid, and such devotion is tiresome.
Please stop it. Devote your mind to
your work-and forget me-"
| Eleanor's black eyes gazed up at
her patient lover relentlessly. She
nodded to him without softening
| smile, and bent determinedly over her
desk. David sighed and turned slow
ly to cross the floor to where his own
desk stood. He reflected, as he fell
into his easy chair, that Eleanor was
| right. No woman respects a mans
utter self abnegation. But it had been
impossible to give anything save en-
tire devotion to Eleanor, from the mo-
| ment she had first entered the Office
employ years ago and the vision of
her there had filed his honest heart
with daily JOY. David had been me-
.hodical plodder until the time Of her
coming; since then his hopeful dreams
had fired him with new and sue
:essful ambition, and he had risen
:apidly in his place. Eleanor had ac-
septed his attentions, the little pleas
yes he delighted to give her until
David asked her to marry him.
Eleanor did not wish to marry David.
She told him so and was aggrieved
that he should thus bring their friend
ship to q close. The dark-eyed, witch
ing little creature had long cherished
, an ideal OF the one who must master
fully win her heart. A dominating,
yet tenderly winning prince, who, all
unheeding of various other admiriDg
maidens, would come to her and claim
her.
David, bending patiently over his
work. his wistful, gray eyes turned
often in silent appeal toward her
David had no part in this picture. He
would not, he told himself wearily, an
noy Eleanor again with his protesta-
lions, and he looked up absently at
young girl who stood before him.
She was the new stenographer, he re-
membered, awaiting his orders. So
David proceeded to give them. Tine
girl fingered for a moment, copy book
In hand, her wide blue eyes full Of un-
spoken sympathy. Uncomfortably
David realized that she, as well as the
rest Of the office force, was aware Of
his secret and hopeless affection.
During days which followed MOllie,
the new girl, was often at David's
eide. She formed habit of leaving
fresh flower or two on his desk, or
Of staying after hours, unasked, to
help him with an accumulation Of
work. David liked the girl. There
was something SO unaffectedly boyish
about her. A chummy, yet wholly re-
spectful attendance which charmed.
Mollie's sincere admiration for David
became an office watchword.
"If old Dave says so, it's all right"
her companions would jibe.
Mollie unmoved and smiling contin-
ued her allegiance. =
"He Is so wonderful" the new girl
ingenuously confided to Eleanor, full
of quiet power like the great men who
do things in movies"
"David!" !" Eleanor exclaimed, David
like that!"
"And his hair" Mollie went on
dreamily, don't you love the way it
sort of whitens at the sides, and the
look In his gray eyes as If he'd suf-
fered and all, and borne It."
Eleanor turned to look unbelieving-
ly in the girls pretty rose flushed
face.
"Mollie," she said slowly. "Mollie.
It cannon be that you are falling In
love with David Morse"
The girl tossed her head. "Why
not?" she asked defantly.
Eleanor was unusually thoughtful
during the remainder of the day. She
looked askance at the little stenogra-
pher when upon the following morning
she placed single carnatlon upon
David's desk. And when David, true
to his new determination, was about
to pass Eleanor at closing time with
out word of good-by, she arose sud-
denly and came with proffered hands
toward him.
"IJavid," murmured Eleanor. her
difiidence charmed him. "David, would
you like to walk home with me to-
night. IL have missed you so."