Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-02-09
Mixed Letters
By HAROLD SINCLARE
}. 1921. Western Newspaper Union. }

desperate"
But why October 10, Arthur" in
quired pretty Celia Hunter, patting
his hand affectionately. "Why not
wait till the New Year?'
Because" replied Arthur firmly,
everybody asks for a raise at the be-
ginning of the year, whereas | am the
only member of the staff who entered
the firms employment on October 10.
Just think. next week 1 shall have
been there five years. And to get a
beggarly thirty-two-fifty week !!
Why, we can't begin to live on less
than thirty-fve."
But Arthur, dear, you aren't going
to do anything rash for the sake OF
two dollars and a half" said his
fiancee. Sooner or later they will do
you justice, l am sure"
you don't know old Carson" re-
piled Arthur moodily. mo, it amounts
to this, dearest. Unless he raises me
to thirty-five our marriage must be
postponed"
Postponed! exclaimed Celia in
conservation.
That's what said. I'm not going
to start life in cheap fiat with in
stallment system furniture and-why,
what's the matter, dearest?"
IF you think more Of your old fiat
than you do of me-" sobbed Celia, you
may take your old ring and leave me
forever" And, flinging the ring upon
the table she hurried toward the door.
Arthur came to the conclusion that
1t would be best to settle his difficulty
with his employer before attempting
reconciliation with his f1ancee. Ac-
cordingly. the next morning he re-
quested an interview with Mr.. Carson,
the head Of the corporation in which
he occupied the post OF assistant
cashier.
"Mr. Carson" he began, II wish to
apply for an increase in salary, to take
effect Immediately. am to be married
shortly, and l find thirty-two dollars
and fifty cents a week insufficient to
support wife," 'ea'-
Mr. Carson spun round in his chair,
his eyebrows lifted.
"How much did you say you re-
ceive?' he asked.
"Thirty-two fifty" faltered Arthur.
weekly or monthly, Mr.. GrantT
weekly sir" replied the other, al
lowing diplomatic smile to hover
over his features.
Il did not know that, Mr.. Grant,"
replied Mr.. Carson. II thought your
salary was twenty-five dollars. I
should, perhaps, have been willing to
increase it to thirty, but-no, Mr..
Grant, what you ask is impossible.
Good morning, sir" And he returned
to his papers, while Arthur, too dis
composed to utter the words which he
had prepared for just such a contin-
gency, retired to his work.
That evening, seated at the table in
his little room, he wrote two letters.
One was to Mr. Carson, apologizing
for his action 81 very much regret
that we failed to reach a satisfactory
understanding this afternoon" he
wrote. Il hope you will forgive the
uIlEcuSOUuDlt llululC VI lily lSquSoN
and disregard the incident" The other
was to Celia. In this he passOnately
announced at once his love and his de-
termination, with the secret, unwrit-
ten reservation that he would some
day return to claim her.
Then he went modify to bed.
He knew Celia's stubbornness and
pride. He knew that she would never
be the first to make advances to him
again. The dawn broke, and he rose,
after sleepless night, ready for the
new life to which he had pledged him
self-a life of remuneration and labor
"Mr. Carson wishes to see you in his
office at once, Mr.. Grant," announced
the office boy, as soon as he had taken
his seat.
Grant arose and went in to the in
terview. He cared little what the mes
sage portended. To his establishment,
however, Mr. Carson was mild, almost
apologize.
"Er-Mr. Grant" he began, 1--WE
have been looking up your record and
i WISH u say LCSuAu
your letter, we have decided that we
can afford to increase your salary
rather than let you CO."
my letter, sir?" exclaimed Arthur.
dazedly.
"This is your letter. sir, believe"
said Carson, laying missive before
him. "And let me say. Mr.. Grant, that
you have pleaded better with your pen
than you did yesterday in person. A
vacancy is to occur in the auditing de-
partment on the first Of the month. 1t
Is worth thirty-five dollars week,
and"
But Arthur only heard dimly, for,
stretched out before him, he read the
words of his own letter:
"Mr. Carson,
Preserve Corporation.
"My Dear Mr.. Carson:
II must leave you at once You will
not see me again. Think kindly Of me
Gov rovo Won oil No. dovot{op opd