Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-06-28
Her Birthday
Party
By RUBY DOUGLAS
5 BY Mcclure Newspaper synoicsre.S

W. W <HSSAtHo &<SUe DaPck - hNi>eiS.S
Rosana Weeks had worked in the
Office Of Turbell & Co. for four years
and she felt as if her place were Sc
cure enough to permit Of her COM
hitting the somewhat unbusinesslike
sin Of having party at her desk.
ut is my twenty-first birthday" she
explained to one of the girls who filed
papers near Rosana all day long, land
l have not had party nor cake
since was eleven. Do you suppose
Mr. Turbell Will care-if he is here and
knows about it,"
The other girl was frightened little
person who just naturally presupposed
that any one of the lords of creation
who happened to be over her in point
of office precedence would undoubtedly
care. Il hope not" she said, look
ing around.
well, I'm going to do r anyway
If l lose my job for it." declared
R0sana, gayly. Il hate the boarding
house where / live. love it down
here where l work. love you all who
work with me. / hate all the old sis
tiers who sit and rock in the parlor at
home. Therefore, this is the logical
place to have my party, and here am
going to have it, candles and ALL
The pale little person looked at her
in awe. Think Of anyone having so
much courage.
"And you're invited-you and Grace
and the Office boy who just arrived
this morning, and Joe the shipping
clerk and Miss Nancy and-yes, / be-
lieve shall invite Mr.. Turbell HIM
self" Rosana was waxing enthusiastic
as the gala thought of birthday party
grew in her mind.
'When is lit" asked the pale little
person softly.
To-day, of Counsel" almost shouted
Rosana. And it's this afternoon at
o'clock that we're going to have the
party right here on my desk. I'm GO
ing to get the cake and the candles
and paper cups for the hot choco-
late"
"Chocolate?' gasped the little one.
Eyes, chocolate. The scrub woman
has an old burner in her cleaning closet
and she's going to help me make it and
I'm going to give her a piece of cake.
Oh, 1t is all planned and am twenty
one !" Rosana's spirits on this, her
natal day, were soaring high.
In the eyes of the world, she had
little to be CHEEKY about. Her father
and mother had long since passed along
into the eternal pathway and she had
been supporting herself and living in
hall bedroom, more or less, for the
past few years. But she had health
and spirits; she was pretty and proud
Of her ability to be independent. She
had many beaux, but not one for
whom she cared more than another.
At 4 O'clock she appeared at the
door Of Mr.. Turbell's private office.
He happened to be lingering later than
usual at his desk.
Mr.. Turbell," she began, this liz
my birthday
Rosana thought he started and she
was taken aback moment. Was he
displeased? She went on.
"Ehayen't had birthday party for
80 long that l thought / should like
to have one here at my desk that !
love so well. II have a cake and
candles twenty Of them-and, oh,
| wish you and Miss Nancy would
come to it,
Mr.. Turbell's eyes had filed with
tears. Miss Nancy, his secretary
smiled at Rosana. II should love to
come" she FASTENED to assure her. 1t
is-ready? That's what the children
ray, isn't it?''
ployer's face. He had not spoken. And
yet she felt that his emotion was not
Of displeasure.
Miss Weeks" he said, "Ill be there
Ia moment. I'm glad to see so human
IN act In this cold office of ours. And
to-day would have been my own
daughter Helen's twenty-first birthday,
TOO" His voice broke and Rosana
rould have gone to him If she had
riared. "That is why / am lettering at
ny desk. l haven't the courage to go
home to my wfre-I know how she is
feeling"
'Im sorry Il I've stirred up your
sorrow, Mr.. Turbell," she said.
Miss Nancy had left the room.
"Oh, no, don't say that. Perhaps 1
can help you to make your birthday
brighter by Joining in your festivities.
Come"
The little Office force Of Turbell &
Co. had never come so close together
in the years they had worked side by
SIDE Archy, the new Office boy de-
cided that tits was a peach of an
office to work in-cake and candles
and everything.
There was no more work done that
day and Rosana did not forget to wrap
up piece of cake for Mrs. Brady, the
cleaning woman.
She was about to leave when Mr.
Turbell stepped up to her. Il wonder
II you wouldn't like to come along
home with me and-and help me to
cheer up Mrs. Turbell. Wen tell her