The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-11-07
THE DAILY
STORY
1.-TWO Hours
~ G. 2

= te" was doing away up IN .ns
eighties, despite the fact nat u
sun was hiding behind the ~
and had been hiding all day NJ
Sultry heat seemed sultricst Fisn,
there ia the oHfice-and I.enofe haN
quita made up her mind y vas
'readv to die She hated ottice
work. The feeling mad come over
her for the first time that after.
noon. How she had stoou the w
OF the city all those years was more
tran she could tel! and up until
then she had said she loved II.
Two hours mora 10 work! me
exclamation came rom hehor .
lips with q groan
The girls and men in the oitice
stoned their work and stared:
11her. was not one there who could
have believed such an exclamation
wonld come from her lips If they
hadn't heard IL
Lapore-or as she was known to
the staff, Miss Tibetts-saw those
surprised chances, recognized their
meaning. and her heart seemed 10
flare IN with anger.
"Tbat's it," she shrickcd for the
first time in her business career,
becoming excited and raising her
voice above its usual business.1ike
tone-"That's it. stare, you ninnies,
stare. Don't you think I'm human
she cried on, don't you think this
everlasting grind, day in and day
out, would get under my skin some
dcy? I hate office work, hate II
lust as much as all of you put to-
gether hate it"
At that moment the huzzer sound
ed, and Miss Tibetts knew she was
wanted in tho presidents private Of
flee. A slave to habit, in spite OF
her momentary rebellion. LenOre
grasped her notebook and bounded.
rather than walked. into the pres
ence of her superior.
Miss Tibetts, take these letters
please"
Lepore had always prided herself
In the thought that the president
Ii could not give dictation TO any OF
the mere office help" but this day
4 the thought seemed to cnrnEe her.
"Mr. Toll" she addressed him, in
a tone he had never heard her use
before, you'll have to give your
letters to some n else-I'm
through taking dictation,"
my dear Miss" the president be
gan in thunderstrCCk tone.
ut simply means Lenore cut in
without waiting to be asked for an
explanation. that I'm leaving your
employ. / am leaving t%onight--to.
day-thls minute. | can't even
think OF wasting the two hours that
remain OF this working day in this
upgodly swea'shop. I'm tCn Young
a woman 10 waste n hour more.
a But, what can you do in two
hours" the president begged 10
sknow lamely. Calm yourself my
Hear, calm
Calm myself nothing! I've benn
calm all my life. I've Gained all
my good times away. What can ]
R1o In two hours. You ask can do
tslots of things, drown myself. rob a
9!baDk. get married"
Il hope. my young lady, YOU are
not considering the latter Mr.
Toll was really frightened now.
@Anytlling but the latter IN youi
frame Of mind
~ will get married" Lenore
cried just to be contrary. every
one here thinks I am incapable OF
getting married-thinks I am too
old or too set in my ways-hut I'm
not. I a get married-and inside
of two hours at that-and | will
I'll marry the first man who asks
me-"
Lenore stopped to see what cfrec;
her speech had on the man before
me. Then for the first time her eyes
lighted upon n third person. a
quietly dressed, middle-aged mar
@of the younger type had been sit
ting through all this G unor.
served. Lenore caught her breath
a little, some OF the old office de.
Ecorum coming back to her, no
doubtful the blood OF rebellion
was too strong in her veins. She
EIared at this stranger also.
DO you really mean you Will
marry the first mar who asks you"
this stranger %enquired seriously.
i ~ mean Just that Lenore re
piled briskly.
Then, Miss Tibetts. may I have
the honor of asking you to become
my wife," this dapper maj asked
in such a matter of fact way that
the astonished Mr.. Toll nearly col
lapsed.
Lenore was not in the least non
plussed.
Il will answer yes on one con,
adition," she replied. "The condi'
tlon is that the marriage take place
at once"
I'm this office II you wish" the
man agreed. MY friend, Mr.. Toll,
will telephone for a clergyman
while am out arranging for a
marriage license"
ut will he necessary for you to
have all particulars. my birthday,
parentage, etc." Lenore cautioned
him.
"Those particulars can be OBJ
tanned from the office records, the
stranger answered coolly. Have
those records sent to me, and then
my dear, If you will take my ad.
vice, you will calm yourself before
the ceremony takes place.
II was Just an hour later when
the strange marriage ceremony be
gan. Lenore had insisted that work
in the office cease. and the almost
dumb.stricken president was only
too willing to acCcdc to her wishes
So The whole stan OF b~reathless
hardly.able-to.believe.i it girls and OF
flee men crowded into the spa'cious
S[6SFIca OF the president. Like o
h1I,N,r nUaaO T.aunrn Fopo6 Nbau,