Shoshone journal., 1923-07-06

WIN his SISIl ASSISTANCE,
she might mount in a dazzling arc to
stardom In the sky. He wasn't, he
Ielt, mean; but, aside from the already
comparatively large cost Of his family,
there was the greatest need now to
turn everything possible back into his
business 1t could be counted
on to make, when all was considered,
tremendous returns. In three years,
1t might be. they could easily send
Eldreda to the South seas, and he
said so, aloud.
Il suppose" her voice answered out
OF the gloom, you chose the South
seas SOS you wouldn't have to buy me
any clothes"
"On the contrary" he replied ex-
plicitly, 81 was trying to think of the
farthest and most expensive place I
could. 1t seems like, with you and
your mamma, person Is always mis-
understood.
Don't pick continual on Eldreda. I
won't have It," her mamma put in.
You can't seem to learn that FL
dreda's delicate She's not a pot but
fine vase easily shattered"
WELL" he replied pacifically, "it's
too nice an evening for ructions.
Things is going too smooth for that"
The smoothness of "things" brought
Miss Conifee back to mind; and, after
a moments forced hopeful considera-
ton, he spoke of her to his family.
Now, take Miss Conifee-"
Who's she?" Nanine demanded.
''That's his stenOgrapher," EIdreda
explained.
"She is more than that, Eldreda,"
he patiently corrected her; Miss Con
lfee Is a good half OF our business.
She's been with me now for fourteen
years, and in the first month after l
got her she near to paid for all she's
had since. Tastel That's where she's
valuable, that's what she Is; we're
small house, but I tell you our works
been complimented by big people. We
are going, not coming. What I am
getting at is this, and l know he
hesitated shortly, and then began
both back me up. Miss Conifee's been
with me, us, for fourteen years now,
and she's part of the place. The truth
is she can't work any more without
me than I can her. If anything hap
pened to that she'd be gone. It's her
mother and her Honesty both together;
her mothers got a kind Of expensive
sickness and Miss Conifee won't take
anything from me but doggoned mod
crate salary. She won't have penny
more, after all she's given us; but with
your help, with your approval, I've
thought of a way to make her safe,
when I pass on to nay California. It's
this-we will give her an interest In
the business, make her small partner
like
He waited, on the mark of an op-
timfstic Interrogation, through the
deep silence that followed. silence
finally shattered with an unqualified
ierision.
Partner" said Nanine, partner,
her, a stenographer7 You're mad,
amt your
His momentary unwarranted eXpec-
tations, like glass. fell swiftly, shat
terfng, on the hard ground Of reality
Eldreda giggled:
"You don't know the best, because
YOU haven't seen her-why, she's a
million and looks like an old wisk
broom with most of the straws out.
I'll tell the street PAS got some taste
himself, I'll say So"
"You ought to be ashamed Of your |
self" Lewis Beitleman's wife told him. |
trying that on US. You must think
We never see anything of life. what |
makes me mad is your speaking II
light out to US, before your daughter"
"What do you mean?" he demanded
-aguely trying to face them both.
'sTake It to the fireplug," this was
1ldreda.
"How long has this been going onF'
lanine asked.
Drawn rigidly upon the edge OF MS
hair. with his face burning, he was,
Z first. unable to reply TO either.
When he spoke 1t was in repressed'
ard tone. 81 told you" he said, 1
Old YOU Miss Conifee had been with
ne fourteen years. and told you, TOO
hat we had her to thank for a halI
f our success. What l was trying 10
nd out was could she hope for little
indness from you SOS she could look
asy at any future. DO you under
tand-while Eldreda and you have
cen setting, sitting, at home reading
loving picture magazines, Miss Con
ee and | were in IL with our last
reath keeping a roof over your heads
nd wondering where we'd all be next
sar. She's helped TO make every deal
eve pulled out On-those nights
as so late we were sitting up figuring
dimes"
A desOlating feeling Of the useless
,ss Of any attempted explanation
bothered bis determined effort ana
fresh silence fell upon them.
Don't you give her a Christmas
cold HIU'f ! q