The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-01
Eoening Story
Buttons and Bachelors.
BY CARoNA REMINGTON,

1SnlnB lOuCueS 10 neT mar.
lie may be the loveliest and most
considerate employer a stenographer
ever had, and he may be kilIingly
good-lookfng, too, but that's no reason
for going crazy over him. especially
as he's probably married and has a
dozen children
She had said the same thing to her
self perhaps forty times during the
past two months. but it had had little
effect in changing her feeling toward
the charmingly irresistible individual
who dictated letters to her all day,
ness anxieties.
With a gesture of impatience she
jabbed a final hairpin into her soft
brown hair and started downstairs.
Half an hour later she had reached
the office and was glacing over the
letters that she could not answer
without mr.. Thompson's advice, so
she rose and went over and placed
them on his desk as. usual. As she
did so her eye fell upon 4. handwrit-
ten letter lying there, and before she
realized it she had read it,
My dear Margie. Git began)
hope you won't feel I've been
/. neglecting you by my long silence,
but everything has been at skies and
sevens in the office lately and I've
hardly had time to sleep. Things
are getting Strengthened out at last
and ,henceforth you'll hear more
often.
Miss Langston is the most Won
derful stenographer 1 ever had
absolutely efficient and thoroly
charming. I'm sure it's too good to
last.
Too bad. little Jacks had the
measles. Look out for his eyes.
I'm sending $500 to the National
for you to check against. Let me
know how things are coming along.
Love to the boy and yourself.
Jack.
Elizabeth sank family into the near
est chair while the desk and type
writer seemed to jump up and down
in front of her. 1t was just what she
had expected and just what she had
told herself all the time, yet when it
came to facing the fact she found that
she had not really expected anything
of the sort. A moment later John
Thompson walked into the office and
immediately noticed that something
was wrong.
why, what's the matter?" he asked
with concern. You're as white as a
sheet. L hope it's not bad news"
''No-yesJthat is-Oh, I can't tell
you. It's really nothing much after
all, SHe onQ60 DTdNSly.
well, whatever it is he said, plac-
ing his hand gently on her shoulder
''just remember that I sympathize and
only wish I could help you. If you
ever feel like telling me, and there's
anything 1 can do-I'm right here"
His concern and sympathy made IL
all the harder to bear, and Elizabeth
had difficulty in controlling herself,
but she dragged somehow thru the
day and at last was able to go home.
Reaching there she made a hasty ex-
cuse to her mother, said that she
would not be down to supper, and
rushed up to her room to think il
| over. By next morning she had de-
cided to resign at any cost and in the
dark she rehearsed her little speech
to her employer over and over, but
when, later in the morning, the mo-
ment arrived. she had forgotten every
word.
Mr.. Thompson" she began, her
voice trembling. "Pve-I've-Im. go
ing to resign" she blurted out at last
"Ye gods!" he exclaimed. ct knew
something went wrong yesterday
morning, and if I'm to blame III
apologize. Do tell me. I can't let you
go like this"
You haven't done a thing. wisf
could convince you. but I'm afraid
you1l just have to take my word 70,
You're simply all worn out. That's
what's the matter he said soothing.
| ly. Take mouths vacation in the
| country; then you'll be fit as a fiddle
again; but don't go too far away, be.
cause I want to watch over you and
see how you get along"
You're too good to me-" said
Elizabeth gratefully, but I've really
decided it's best to resign
We'll, anyway. 1 won't accept il
until you've had a months rest
| They argued back and forth for hal
| an hour or more, and Thompson wor
in the end. He chose the place and
even engaged the room, and insisted
upon her leaving the next afternoon
During the following days he wa:
untiring in his attentions. and Otter
| she wondered whether she was doins
right to accept so many kindnesse,
! from him; yet he did nothing that sh.
could actually criticise. He was sim
ply a most considerate employer, ant
! from his letter to his wife she knew
| how much he valued her services. i
was doubtless half self-interest tina
prompted his actions.
| When the time finally arrived fol
| her to leave the country, Elizabeth de
cided naturally enough that she coulC
not possibly desert him after accept
| ing so much from him, altho durins
| the entire month he had never oncs
his firm. That evening as the two sa
alone on the old-fashioned veranda
Elizabeth decided to breach the sub
| ject-
II think I'll go back to the of
flee tomorrow" she said rather un'
evenly.
mo. you won't" he declared. to heI
amazement- 81 know that, somehow
| you didn't want to continue there, and
| the only reason I didn't let you sever
| your connection was because-because
| I've loved you ever since the first min
ute saw you, but was afraid that'ii
I proposed to you then you'd think
| you didn't know me well enough"
| Proposal" echoed Elizabeth blank
| ly.
Yes" he said. losing his last YES
| tige of self-possession, "for the last
[ two months I've simply had to sit
and wetch you--and the was wor-
ried because 1 wanted TO explain that
4