The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-03-18
"A Business
Girl
o0
By WALTER JOS. DELANEY


Copyright. 1919 by the Western News.
paper Union.)
FIe was the son of the president of
the bank, but Aileen Drury did not
know that. He was so pleasant, so
smiling, so accommodating that she
considered he would grace any social
or business position. Once a day reg
ularly Aileen had to go to the institu-
tion to deposit cash and checks for
Truitt & Company, whose stenographer
she was.
She always went to the window Of
the assistant paying teller, after he
had n day politely handed to her an
exquisite white rose that reposed in a
glass pin bowl filled with water on his
desk. He had noted her admiring gaze
and she accepted the trile with a smile
of genuine pleasure. The next day his
kindness was accentuated by giving
her a small bouquet of v%ariegated pam
sizes.
So after that it was always a little
floral offering, or a brief friendly chat.
Aileen's sweet face had enchanted the
young bank man and she looked for
ward to her daily visit to the teller's
window.
Aileen was receiving a careful bus
mess education from Truitt & Co.
They were precise and systematic
people. She had sense and aimed to ex-
eel and they trusted her implicitly. The
one day.
Miss Drury," he said, ION your way
to the bank just drop in on Martin
Rolfe, will you and present this bill
for $1,000. l scarcely think he will pay
it. as he is very nearly on the rocks.
If he doesn't, tell him we shall apply
some pressure for the collection at
once"
Aileen was fully familiar with the
Rolfe account and needed no further
instructions. She found the man in
his office and noticed that part of its
furniture had disappeared. Aileen was
a keen observer and analyst and fam
cied she detected sure signs Of bust,
ness trouble.
Rolfe began his usual excuses, but
Aileen was clear and firm. Finally he
filled in a check for $1,000. 1t was
drawn on the Atlas National, with
which Truitt & Company also carried
their account. Aileen signed a receipt
and left the Office, but at the head of
the street stairs, paused as she caught
a remark from one Of two men loiter.
ing near by.
"Sure Rolfe is in his Officer" he
spoke.
dead sure" was the response Of
his companion. "We gain nothing by
delay. Serve the notice of foreclosure
on what.of his furniture he hasn't sold
and then get to the bank and garnishee
his account. I tell you the man is next
door to bankruptcy and is getting ready
to jump the city,"
"Mercy mel" breathed the startled
Aileen. I won't lose any time in get
ting this check cashed."
She reached the Atlas National quite
out Of breath and anxious and excited.
She was experienced enough to COM
prehend that she was in q race against
risk and possible loss, with time, the
essence Of the pending transaction.
Alan Britton looked up with a smile
d. of welcome as Aileen's sweet face was
framed by the metal bound window
of his cage. His quick eye detected
her agitation and expressed solicitude.
Young Britton glanced at the check
presented, then at Aileen as If to in
dictate that the bit of paper conveyed
some arousing ideas Of his mind.
"Twelve hundred" he read. IT am
pretty sure, Miss Drury, that Mr.. Rolfe
has less than that amount to his cred.
it account, but I will see."
Alan called a messenger boy and
handed him the check with the direc-
ton "Tell the bookkeeper to give me
the cash balance of Martin Rolfe," and
in a moment or two the boy with the
check and a slip of paper upon which
the bookkeeper had written the fig
ures: "$1,150." How Aileen knew
this, was that with a suggestive glance
Alan placed the slip so she could not
help but read It.. She was business wo.
man enough to take the hint, bestowed
upon him a direct smile and passed on
to the window Of the receiving teller.
She had selected $50 in currency from
her W deposit money.
evil you please credit this to the
account Of Mr.. Martin Roller" she
spoke sweetly. yet with a little grim.
half concealed smile. 1T covers q dis.
puted account which l think we had
better SETTLE"
Then Aileen innocent faced, demure,
calm, though her heart was beating
fast. went back to Alan Britton.
wont you please pass the check
through again?" she asked and q flash
nf o6nirntion IN A)0p,c o,,o ..oa -