The Washington herald., 1921-05-08

the one who understood him and who
had discovered his carefully guarded Sc
cret.
That's exactly what I've been DOING
he confessed. i've been modelling myself
a man / admired in my home town
the quiet, reserved. self-contained type.
1t seemed to me that he had just the
right business manner-Ive been imitat-
ing it for two years and hiding my real
Took at me!'
Hopes low laugh was like the gurgle
of a hidden brook.
who is it that has found you lacking
in color and personality" she asked
lightly. "Or may one ask"
One may. if you're the one" The
youth in front OF her was changing into
another man before her eyes. The office
macintosh was opened, was thrown back.
"It was Haskins."
20! Mr.. Haskins-"
Haskins. If he had heard those simple
words. would have been panied by the
modulations of Hopes voice. He ad-
mired and respected Miss Strong.
But it's important" explained Gage.
looking at her with that new expression
in his steady eyes. It's a question -
he hesitated. then plunged ahead. One
didn't make halfway condolences to
girl like this. It's a question of pro-
motion. He thinks I'm not up to specih.
cations in color and personality"
She nodded. You've been playing the
role of a man twenty years older than
you are"
The young man sobered. And the
time has come to drop it,"
NO" she said positively. Don't drop
it. Vary it. Keep it. but let your own
personality show through il. For in
stance" she put her head on one side
and glanced at him mischievously smile
oftcnrr You do 1t so well!'
Both young things laughed outright
At the sound every head near them turn
ed in their direction as If moved by a
common spring. Neither observed the
phenomenon. Gage rose again.
"In never forget this" he said.
whether l reach the job or not, you've
put me on the right track for future
sprinting. and l know it"
She stopped him as he was turning
away.
There's one thing more" she said. Il
know from observation that you're a
very fast worker. But" she hesitated
you work so quietly and with so little
fuss that undiscriminsting persons
such as the boss?"
such as the boss" she agreed coolly.
might think you were-well, almost
slow"
That took him on the raw and she saw
it, But she had heard him criticized as
deliberate. and unconsciously she was
now supplying him with Haskins' final
criticism, which he had left the file room
without hearing. The fellows works
all right. 1 suppose, il you say so"-this
grudgingly. to Bradley-"but he doesn't
put any snap pep into it,"
Still looking at him with the golden
friendliness that was so soothing, she
wiped out the memory of the tacit criti-
Cism with her next words:
The next time you do a great big Job
in a few minutes make a little fuss about
it, Let them see your wheels go round.
Not often, of course, but just often
enough to make them realize what is
happening"
Gage nodded. 81 get you. It's what I've
always wanted to do. My impulse has
been to cackle like a hen! You'll hear
me doing II some day.
He went back to his desk and plunged
into his work with characteristic absorp-
ton. Further problems connected with
til after business hours. and they did
Until late that night, however G.
Montgomery Gag sat in q haze Of tobsc-
co smoke in the small living room OF
his bachelor apartment and made an in
ventory Of himself as he was and might
be- Thanks to the momentum supplied
by Hope strong. he had soon arrived at