The Washington herald., 1921-05-08
By ELIZABETH JORDAN

Obviously he had overdone the stern
captain of industry attitude which he
had 20 admired In his model The model
could carry it, being older and having,
as Il were. arrived" On Gage it had
settled like steel srmor. stirening him
into what might easily have seemed con-
hrmed priggishness The thing TO DO. Of
course. was to follow Miss strong's sd-
vice-keep enough Of the old attitude TO
retain confidence In his stability. and
loosen some OF the youthful enthusiasm
he had SO sternly held in leash. By
temperament he was over-optimistic. and
he knew It. II would be q pretty Job.
well worth putting over. to merge those
two personalities into one as steady and
reliable as Gage had been. yet human
and-no. not so likeable as Bob-he could
never be that. he admitted-but a. sp-
proachabIe and as companionsbIe ss Bob
Perhaps he could put that much over. And
that effect he knew. would Incidentally
seemed yesrning
At this point Gage should have con-
centrsted on Haskins and the new Job.
but he did nothing of the kind. He con-
centrsted on Hope Strong. recalling all
she had said and all he had said. wish
ing, he had said more and better things.
planning future talks in which be could
say better things without realizing
why. he was in q state OF extraordinary
mental and physical well being. He
could not remember having felt since
boyhood such a vivid sense of being
joyously alive. Perhaps Il was the 5oIt
he had received. or the talk with Hope.
or both. One thing was certain. he'd
give those fellows in the office much
color and personality that they'd think
During the next few days the members
Of the office star OF Hsslins and Thorne
were privileged to observe q surprising
Transformation in the personality OF the
quiet and reserved young man they had
known as G. Montgomery Gage. For one
thing, he had become George Gage
Great" applauded Bradley. when his
assistant asked to have the name changed
in the office records Il hate these
initiated double barreled names Suits
you better, too Why didn't you do 1t
long sgo!-
NO time TO think Of it, George CAGE
srabIy explained. You've kept me too
darned busy"
Bradley looked at him with sudden
interest
what's happened to you lately-- he
demanded Fallen in lover
George sighed A fat chance ia have
II did" he reminded his chief. You've
kept me here every evening this week
When fall in love I'll ask for . va
cation"
You'll get it, promised Bradley. He
Mad got into a way OF watching his
young assistant with q puzzled express
sion. The general office thereory that the
change in Cages manner and spirits vas
due to a large increase in salary was not
shared by Bradley, who knew better.
George kept them all guessing. He was
not OVERRIDING his new role. He was
very artistic On the job he was almost
as serious and reserved ever. But
among his associates he was rapidly be-
coming what he had not been up till
now "a good mixer" They had all liked
him, but in an unenthusiastic way. He
was on the square. Now they sought
him out. "jolIied" him, and ware casually
"jollied" by him. and talked about him
excessively among themselves.
One day he pleasantly but fatty dis
agreed with Bradley on a matter Of office
policy. He had often done this, and
Bradley was big enough to take It good
naturedIy. This day Bradley turned on
him with quick decision
Go and tell the boss that he ordered
Get him to decide It."
I
don't want to do that" he began. You
know 1 follow your orders. / merely
told you what I think because you've en-
couraged me to-"
That's all right BrsdIey's words
came crisply. Now want to know
what Haskins thinks. Go and ask him"
Why don't you"
Bradley looked straight at him.
Go and ask him" he repeated. and
this time he spoke in a tone OF curt
command
CAGE went rather dazedly He wasn't
at all nervous. He had never been afraid
to talk to Haskins But nc was afraid
that Bradley was annoyed Then the So
luton of the situation flashed upon him
Bradley. good old Bradley. was giving
him his chance-his chance to show Has
kins his new color and personality! The
revelation was alarming. What IL the
new color and personality didn't come
up to the scratch? His heart dropped .
beat Then with set teeth he strode to
the door of the private office. knocked
once and entered without waiting for
permission.
Haskins. bent over his desk in august
isolation. raised his head and grunted.
Young Gage took the chair beside the
boss desk and plunged at once into the
subject of his mission. But even he
spoke he realized he was reverting to
the manner he had always worn with
Haskins-a manner seIf-contAined, cool
and. yes, colorless.
Mr.. Haskin," he said, Mr.. Bradley
and / differ about that Wetmore matter
Haskins grunted again. Leaning back
in his chair, he stared at the caller.
Haskins was in an ugly mood, and In
such moods It was his pleasant habit 70
charge at any one who approached him.
He charged at Gage now, head down.
20. you differ. do you?" he asked IRON
ically. How do you diner?"