The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-01-22
Anna Bellies
Dinner
By AGNES C. BRoGAN

Anna Belle had been homeless, indeed,
since grandma Brown died. The
motherless baby had been safe In the
old woman's care, and when grandma
Brown grew TO be In need of constant
care herself, Anna Belle most crate
fully had given 1t. Now that 1t be-
came necessary for the girl to earn
her livelihood In the big unaceustomed
city, she found how untitled the sim
pie round of home duties left her for
greater tasks. The business world
was a very confusing place In its eI-
actions for experience Every adyer-
tlsement that Anna Belle sought out
so eagerly, ended with that disappoInt-
ing requirement.
As Anna Belle went, like small
gray nun In her wooden suit and gray
hat down the walk, she stopped to
pluck scarlet bloom to fasten be
meath her own rose cheeks, and con-
sidered what would be best to buy
Of coffee, she decided, would be all
that she might expect, so Anna Belle
made her way into the inviting Dutch
interior of the cafeteria. She care
fully followed the others with her ap-
propriated tray, keeping her face reso-
lutely from the tempting array of food
before her, one roll and "a cup of
coffee was to be her entire allotment.
Perhaps, she thought hopefully, the
scant meal would take the edge at
least from her healthy country appe-
lite but alas the roll and coffee were
all insufficient.
1t was not until she had finished,
busy with her troubled reflections,
that Anna Belle saw the doughnut.
1t was tempting haunting doughnut,
deliciously light and brown, with an
odor of hidden nutmeg like grandma
Browns own. Suddenly tears and
memories clouded the girls eyes. That
the doughnut was part of a satisfying
meal belonging to an opposite table
companion, Anna Belle did not realize.
She only knew all at once, that she
was miserable, penniless and alone.
And then, more to screen her tear-filled
eyes than in hope of finding work,
she unfurled the newspaper she had
bought that morning, and scanned
| again it's Help Wanted pages. When
She lowered the paper, her table com
panion had departed, leaving half
finished meal behind him. The dough-
nut was gOne-she noted that, but
there was a savory slice of ham, some
glorious Drowned potatoes, a slice or
two of tomato on its lettuce leaf.
Anna Belle hesitated no longer. The
voice of hunger was more insistent
than that of convention. why waste
food which was discarded? She helped
herself rapidly from the opposite dish
es, and rapidly ate. and as she fin
ished, a pleasant-faced young man
slipped into the recently-vacated chair
opposite and placed his tray before
| him. There was another doughnut on
this tray and a steaming cup of cot
| fee, but Anna Belle was tempted no
longer. With hunger appeased, her
{ bright courage returned.
BEG pardon" said the young man
quickly, land please don't be offended
at my question. | see you are inter-
ested in the Help Wanted Female
department. Could it be just posi-
BILE that you are looking fer employ
ment? Because If you are" he added
| hastily, "our firm iS in urgent need of
an office woman"
Anna Belle gasped. Then she smil-
ed. 1t was a sad little smile and she
shook her head.
Experienced of course" she quoted
Not necessarily" the young man
answered eagerly. Fact is we are
hoping to train a girl. making her
/ competent for our own needs. you I'M
derstand And we'd be willing if she
was-well, worth WHILE" finished the
young man honestly, Ito take her on
and coach her. Dad has his own ideas
regarding his own Office. Here is his
card, and If you can drop in there be-
tween three and four this afternoon
III have paved the way for your com
Ing"
Anna Belle stared from the engrav-
ed card back to the young mans kind
ly face. The firm stated was one
whose advertisement she had yester-
day answered and been repuIsed. But
the young man with a nod was gone,
and Anna Belle still holding the card
and with new hope in her heart, went
out to begin her long walk to the des-
lgnated office.
And so strange and unexpected Is
life, that when she had reached full
competency in her new accepted work,
ard was giving the greatest satisfac-
ton, Anna Belle decided to give that
work up altogether. The junior part,
ner of the firm had persuaded her
most happily, that her true place in
life was at his own side, while the
senior member gladly gave consent
you may know now, dear" Anna
Belle told her lover, how very much
you have done for me. Why, when we
FIRST met, | had only fifteen cents left