The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-02-03

Peter glanced upprehcusyely from
the line of figures into his employers
face. Nathaniel &. Croten stood In the
Office doorway, his bearing insuIcu-
bly, cOndescending
"Nir. Grundy," he said, with q nOd
at Peter. 81 am sorry to inform you
that we must have another book
keeper-young blood, Mr. Grundy, and
a newer method of management. You
must admit that we have been pa
tient In retaining your services in that
capacity. While we acknowledge your
falthfulness In years past, and, err
devotion TO duty, still you have lost
, ground, and are, In short, too slow for
\ our constantly increasing business.
Stewart said to me only this morn
ing, we need a man with push and
pep in that department, that he may
help with the sales And so we do.
have, therefore, mapped out an al
which / will ask you to look over be-
fore mailing to the papers"
Nathaniel Croten's tight lips loos-
ened In their nearest approach to
smile. 1--WE shall endeavor to con
tinue your services In some lesser ca
pacity, Mr.. Grundy."
Peter bowed. There was really moth.
ing to say. His employers charge
was Just. He realized that he was
daily growing slower. stuplder In his
work. He could not tell, himself. why
this was so. lie seemed all at once to
have lost interest. Perhaps Lida's
death was responsible. Ida, his dear
Iy loved sister, had for so many years
been tile object OF his care, that when
Ida was taken there was nothing left.
you notice that clause In my ad-
vertisement." Nathaniel Crotch was
saying. ''oniy an energetic person Of
capabillty need apply
Eyes" Peter quietly answered, Il
notice it. The advertisement will go
I'm this evening"
I'VE thought" the big man added,
"that we might be able to use you in
our sales department, at Il smaller sal
airy, Mr.. Grundy."
Again Peter bowed. Again, there APP
peared to he nothing to say. Mr.. Gro
ten looked back.
1--WE would like you to go over the
books with the new boUkkeeper.'
The next afternoon Peter and Ma
thanlel Crotch were in the outer Of
:. flee when the b0okkeeper whom Stew
' art the Junior partner, had decided to
employ. was ushered into their pres
ence.
Mr.. Crotch brought his chair TO the
floor with a bang, while Peter, staring,
:, readjusted his glasses. For the ac-
4 cepted applicant was a young woman |;
an exceedingly pretty young woman.
Her dark eyes snapped quizzically ut
the elder partner, while they seemed
to twinkle as she turned an apprais-
ing gaze on Peter.
We'll" she announced brlskly, u
am the bookkeeper. Mr.. Stewart has
engaged me. My recommendations ex-
actly suit him; the only reason that
left my place with the Cooks. attor-
neys. being that was tired OF It."
Nathaniel Crotch arose, his amazed ex-
preston gave way to one of pleased
interest.
As the Office door closed behind the
senior partners important figure. Pc
ter was possessed OF boyish shyness.
This young woman was so appallingly
assured, yet so frankly engaging. He
felt painfully aware Of the neat shah
biness OF his clothing. and knew with
an unaccustOmed keenness, that this
capable girl was wondering how 1t
had happened that he was failure.
But as the days passed, and Peter fell
resignedly into his new work in the
store. he grew to look forward pleas
antly to the sight Of the girl perched
there on the high stool.
Sometimes she would beckon him re-
parding A reference, and sometimes,
when Nathaniel G. Crotch and Stew
art were out at luncheon, Peter and
she would eat their lunch together,
surreptitiously, like two school chill
dren, under cover Of the big desk. Pc
ter's eyes began TO regain their old
humorous light, and before he knew,
Peter was telling the clever little
DOOkkeeper MS Ire > slhple gray SlViS'
Nathaniel Crotch, when he returned
from lnnch. would visit always the
high desk in the office, when, often,
he required Jane Gordon's assistance
in business consultation. He evinced
new pride In dress and an added de-
gree Of pOmpOusness.
"The old widower is taking notice
again." the Office boy laughed; and
suddenly Peters newly hopeful heart
dropped to its old place of sad resig-
nation. He realized, then, the reason
of its recent sweet hopefulness.
Half-unconsciously he. the white
haired, long-patient failure, had dared
at last to know love and its great am
btion. Peter looked from the win
dow, to see the two of whom lac had
been thinking crossing the road to-
gether. A moment more and they were
in the Office. The senior partner
tossed his fur coat to a chair and
haA