The Washington times., 1922-07-30

know how to write this to you,
but | cannot 60 without saying
good-by, for have been think
ing of you ever since we first
met. And | shall never see you
again. l am up to the neck in
debts which l can't pay, and I'm
going to cut the whole thing
and leave the country. l won't
give you-even if you cared to
have it, and I know you don't
my address; neither shall l ever
send it to anybody else, al
though it would be safe, for the
firm will not prosecute me for
what | have taken. I've been
worth many times that amount
to Oxford since our connection.
These few lines are Just to
say good-by to one of the pref
ticst and incest girls I've ever
hal the pleasure and honor of
meeting, and to hope that she'll
give kind thought sometimes
to vagrant.
With assurance of everlast-
ing regard and respect from
Yours very truly,
ROBERT CURTIS.
The notepaper bore no address
or date. The jeweller handed it
back.
'No," he said, "I'm not going to
prosecute. So you had that only
this morning."
AT eight o'clock"
And came straight here?
You're smart! But, my dear
young lady, | don't think a woman
could ever be smart enough to
take confidential clerkship.
What have you been doing?"
"I've just had fortnight's job
temporary work through
clerks illness-for Messrs. Barker
e. Stone, the engravers. That's
how ] saw Mr.. Curtis. But I'm
out of work again now"
eyes, well-I'd advise you to
try to get some ordinary clerical
work again--or some governess-
ing-or companioning, or some
thing woman wouldn't bungle.
To be frank" said Mr.. Oxford
candidly, "1 don't put a great
value on your sex in the brain
market. AS a rule, you haven't
got good, broad method to start
with"
T have"
"or energy or enterprise
enough"
81 would have"
"Or the art-the great art-of
initiative"
"Try me" she cried.
There was so much earnestness,
so much confidence and courage in
her voice and bearing, that the
man looked at her very long and
thoughtfully. While he was silent
she ran on.
"You've never tried a woman at
this post, and you don't under
stand how well woman would fill
it. Men don't understand that in
many cases her tact, her instinct.
and her intuition-all keener than
theirs-will stand her in quite as
good stead as their own aptitude
for crude bargain driving. This
is just the sort of situation in
which I could be of more use to
you, in many ways, and of quite
as much use in all the others, as
man. And I'd take-because
r., g, ,roY,,n ,nrocomp;,oJ -, tLo
brain markct-a lower salary than
Curtis did"
GLOW d'you know what Curtis
had ?" he asked quickly.
She did not know, so waived the
question.
T'd take two-fifty," she said
(that being an enormous sum to
herr. She held her breath for the
result.
Curtis had had five hundred.
Mr.. James Oxford, perceiving her
ignorance, smiled at her very ap-
parent little bit of bluff.
81 shouldn't grudge you the
two-fifty," he answered, "but |
don't feel at all confident as to
your suitability"
But while he looked at. her he
had been struck by the honor and
honesty Of her beautiful straight
eyes. "Shc'd give utter faithful
ness" said the jcwCller to him
self.
Miss Morton" he said aloud,
am busy, and can't give you an
other minute this morning. But
I'll think about you, and if you
come in tomorrow at this time,
may hear something
further"
She said good-by, shaking
hands, and walked out, glimpsing
success. Don't fail me. Bring
luckr she said silently to the lit
tie silver mascot.
The next morning, calling punct-
ually, she learnt that she was to
be put to the test, and if she
Il don't promise the post you
ask for" said Mr.. James Oxford,