Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-06-10
PINK
BY AGNES G. BROGAN.


breezes swept free and fragrant over
understanding hills,a where daffodils
peeped early through the snow of the
cottage dooryard.
The cottage had been closed and des-
olate a long time now, while Glory-aS
her father used to call her-bent pa
tiently over her desk in the big city.
Miss Linden, one stenographer, was
sister to the new manager, and Miss
Claire, her assistant, Miss Lindens
chosen friend. Glory sighed as scent
Of lilacs was borne in upon the air
and she wondered wistfully if the bush
beside the cottage door was yet in
bloom.
1t was when the other girls had gone
out to lunch, and Gloria had opened
her modest packet Of sandwiches to
enjoy them near the window that
opened the office door and tentatively
peeped in.
Thought the room was empty" he
apologized; I'm the new help"
'Help?" questioned Glory.
The young man looked as lonely and
eager for companionship as herself
"Come in if you like" she invited.
The young man did like. He was
very boyish and very respectful.
'"The boss just engaged me-" he in
geniously confded. make myself use
full around in any way that can" He
paused. "Your manager seems rather
an all-competent chap; can't see that
I am needed at all, but will have to
abide by the order of the boss.'
GOT course" said Gloria "and real
ly, there will be lots for you to do, if
you're willing. Not that we haven't
plenty of help" she added meditative-
ly; "but the work seems to pile up
some way-I don't know how. I stay
overtime almost every evening to help
straighten things out"
Don't the others stay, too?" the
young man asked. He had seated him
self upon the desk, and accepted en-
joyably one of Gloria's sandwiches.
"Oh, I don't mind staying" she said,
trying to eradicate her suggestion of
complaint cit doesn't matter to me
where I am, anyway. My boarding
room isn't very pleasant. You know"
she explained, show it is, with every
thing so high?'
The young nNn nodded understand
ingly.
II guess you'd better go now"
Gloria said as she removed evidences
of her feast; moon hour is over"
(Which one are you?" he asked;
''Miss-"
Dale" she answered; "Gloria Dale.
And your
He laughed at her.
'T never get my own name" he
said. sounds too dignified for curly
red-head. Folks usually call me
Pink Everybody1l be doing it here
before a week."
Gloria smiled at the pink face, be-
meath the bright hair. It was nice,
good face, she thought.
"Good-by, Pink" she said mischiev-
ously, and bent, cheered to her work.
Miss Linden and Miss Claire smiled
contemptuously as days passed, and
Pink was often to be found beside
Glory's chair. 1t was evident that
the old-young office boy had installed
himself as her champion.
The work heaped up for Glory to do
after hours diminished rapidly with
his assistance.
"Why, you are wonderful, Pink"
she told him. "You have such clever
ways of working"
"The manager doesn't appear to see
it," he told her airily; "he'd fire me
any day if it wasn't for the boss.
When these young men, in company
with Miss Linden and Miss Claire,
started for the theater or drive, Pink
would come, with the diffidence he al
ways evinced in Glory's presence.
'T WISH" he'd say, "that you would
walk with me down to the park. It's
great to watch the moon shining On
the water. I suppose I ought to ask
you to go to the theater instead,
Glory, but
II wouldn't let you take me, Pink"
she would firmly reply; "theater tick
cts are too great luxury for you
or me-"
For Gloria knew that the new en-
ployee's salary was less than her
meager own. But there's a charm In
moonlit waters, not to be found in
crowded places, and Pink and his lit
tie friend-lonely no longer-greW
close to each other, On these enchant-
ed evenings.
Then one day when Gloria bent con-
fused beneath the impatient hurried
dictation Of the manager, the great
boss himself walked into the Off1ce
with Pink at his side. zone moment,
Linden" the head Of the Meredith firm
commanded. "My son wishes to talk
with you concerning new order OF
things. We must be practically reor-
ganized here, and he will take COM
plete charge.
'My son has been qualified as an
efficiency expert, and has in his own
uav selected TO look our place over"