The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-15
E<T HAT VIII be all for this
morning. Miss Harrison"

T HAT ,rr, %,,, BE m,.s all za for ani'
said Graham Ridgely to
his assistant secretary.
With a bright nod Beth Harrison
closed her notebook.
"Er-Miss Harrison!"
The girl flushed crimson. Her
handsome employer was frowning
most openly at the sparkling third
finger of her left hand.
Something seems to tell me
that am about to lose my capable
gaged?"
"why-er-why. yes. of courser'
stammered Beth.
I'm sorryp' Graham shook his
head gravely. You're SO young
and pretty, and there's such a bril-
liant future waiting for you. Par
don my frankness, but I am more
interested in you and your career
than you suspect"
IT don't doubt that your young
man Is fine chap and all that, but.
can he give you the things that q
GIRL with your assets ought to get2
! Take the case of our charming and
brilliant Miss Miller, for instance.
She came to me at the age of
seventeen. shy and awkward
I recognized her ability and en-
Outraged her.
To-day, as our vice president.
she Is the highest salaried woman
!, in the city. She's cultured, well
! poised and invaluable to us. Spends
her vacations abroad. Miss Miller
will be lelaving us some day. There
may be a time when you will follow
in her footsteps!'
She walked back to her desk in
q daze. OF course, she would re-
turn the pretty little ring to Hugh.
Sho gazed at It wtstfully. 1t was
{ only q small stone, but Hugh had
assured her it was a perfect one.
Miss Miller, who was about to
enter her private office, smiled
cordially. II Just noticed your
pretty new ring. Congratulations"
% ''Oh, but shan't be married for
years and years. laughed Beth.
there's plenty of time, you
known She was almost apologetic.
IT had an engagement ring
snce." said Miss Miller quietly.
Tho two weeks I wore It were
Z the happieet Of my life" Her
\ eyes suddenly filled with tears as
tshe walked briskly toward her Of
doe-
Two mornings later Graham
!! Ridgely noted with satisfaction
4 that his assistant secretary's third
! finger was bare of decoration.
Il One evening Miss Miller aston
: ished Beth by asking her to walk
homo with her and have dinner.
+ You're not wearing your new
! xtng7" inquired Miss Miller.
y NO." replied Beth II have de-
! cided not to get married-that ts,
: for . long time. Hugh Is a dear,
but I'm afraid he won't rise very
far. I want to work and succeed
As you have, Miss Miller"
q "I suppose I am what you
would term q successful business
i woman" said the older woman
YEARLY. "I wear imported gowns,
have q neat savings account and
my salary Is large. But I'm not
altogether happy Why2 Because
success and luxury are not every
J, thing in this world, my dear.
8 "I was engaged to be married
snoa. He was very poor, but he
was ambitious. He built a coy
! little cottage that was every
thing q girl Of my kind could
desire. I was only nineteen. My
friends wheedled me into believ-
ing I was too young and pretty
Ito marry q poor boy.
AFTER II was too late realized
my mistake. Five years later my
sweetheart died. Finally a rich
man did come into my life. as my
friends had predicted. but he has
. never spoken Of love to me. There
are times when do think he loves
mo, but rich men. little girl, do
mo marry women Of our kind. 1t
seems unfair. doesn't it2"
4 Beth kissed her hostess impul-
,efvely.
81 "Oh, Miss Miller, you have
helped me so much! You have
kept me from making the greatest
mistake of my life! I had fully
=