Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-12-16
CLARENCE
BY MANA LYNCH.
SeSSSSeSeSeSeSeSS

Clarence was long, thin, and pale
pale skin, pale hair, and pale blue
eyes, mercifully protected by tortoise
shell glasses His occupation was not
pale; he was an expert meat-cutter,
which occupation he always brought
forward as the strongest support Of
his belief In fate. For had he not,
despite his training for office work in
business college, followed by his army
service in clerical capacity, turned
to meat cutting, which he had taken
up to help exc out his college ex-
pensesI "What is to be, will be-"
Selah.
The other interest in Clarence's life
was his girl. They were to be mar
ried.
Came Tuesday night. As they stood
in the hall, Jennie said. negllgently
like:
"Oh-ah, Clarence, mind II 60 out
to lunch tomorrow You see," she
said swiftly, Jimmy Smiths chum is
in town, and Bertha and he want some
one to make up party Of four, and I
said I'd CO."
Ordinarily Clarence would not have
minded.
whats the fellows name2" he ques-
toned.
Jean Rae" said Jennie demurely.
He went to school with Jimmy and the
Smiths want to make 1t pleasant for
him while he's here. They asked Cert
to make the fourth yesterday, but Jean
didn't take to her, So" She paused.
Clarence saw no good reason for re-
fusinG to let her go. So he gave his
consent, kissed Jennie good night"
and, going home, promptly forgot all
about the matter.
Not until there arises an author who
can do full justice to the history Of
the working girl, will the world know
the truth about the girls dressing
room. 1t Is the business girls sanctum
sanctorum. There she may retire
singly, or in groups, to powder her
nose, read her own or somebody else's
love letters and exchange condolences,
secure from mere male interruption.
Here at :16, month after her In
terview with Clarence on the question
Of lunching with Jean, we find Jennie.
She had occupied the dressing room
the most Of that day, with first one
girl and then another Now, 1t was
Roses turn. Rose was nineteen and
romantic That Jennie should ask
her for advicel 1t was thrilling
Eyes wide, she listened gravely.
Said Jennie. the while she powdered
her nose: Honestly, don't know
what to do. You see, I've always gone
with Clarence and l know he thinks
lot Of me, but, oh, don't know
Jean Is so, so-You know" she fin
ished helplessly.
Rose nodded wisely.
Jennie sighed. Rose asked sympa-
thetically:
"How does Clarence feel2"
awful. He raised Cain when l said
couldn't see him Sunday. Asked me
II Jean was coming out He says It
must be one or the other, that 1t isn't
the square thing for girl to go
around with more than one fellow"
"What did you say to thatf" inter-
rupted Rose breathlessly.
"Well," Jennie blushed, "well, I said
that didn't think 1t was right, either,
II girl was engaged and-and-what
do you known l was so surprised ;
he said he always thought we were
and--and, he had been saving up for a
ring" she ended In triumphant
whisper.
Jennie" Rose squealed, "how won
derfuIi"
"Of course, had known Clarence
the longest, but Jean is so impetuous."
For several days Jennie and her
lovers were the chief topics of the
Office conversation. She asked advice
Of everyone, from the timekeeper to
the office boy, swearing each one to
secrecy. Then one morning she ap-
peared with the usual diamond on the
usual finger and blushingly accepted
congratulations. The girls gathered
around, laughing and talking, even the
boss himself delgned to notice 1t, ask
Ing playfully: "Well, when do lose
my stenographerf
Later, at an opportune moment,
Rose pounced on her.
80 1t Is Clarence, after all1" she
marveled.
Said Jennie, surprlsedly: "Why, of
course; who else could 1t bei"
Jennie smiled beatlfically. clarence
says"-the old familiar straln-"Clar-
ence says that 1t just had to be. Fate
Intended us for each other"
Within the year the works were
sold out, the office force scattered,
and Jennie and Clarence were mar
ried.
About month after Jennle's we'd
ding Rose bumped into Jimmy, back
for brief visit. As they waited for
their respective trains they chatted
over old times.
80 Jennie and Clarence got mar
ried after ALL" said Jimmy.
Rose nodded. yes" she said, "and
to think how near she came to marry
ing Jean"
jean" Jimmy stared, then laughed.
"Why, old Jean had no more thought
Of marrying Jennie than newborn
babe. He had a girl back home. Told
Jennie all about her, and Jennie re-
clprocated by telling him all about her
Clarence"
"oh," said Rose thoughtfuliy.
Silence for while, then, as IL talk
Ing to herself, Rose murmured slowly I:
Clarence always did believe In fate"
The Best and Nearest Place