The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-31
TODAY'S SHORT
 STORY
TWO YEARS AFTER

TT WAS nearly 6 o'clock when Mil
 dred Holmes put the cover on her
 typewriter and prepared to call it day and go home. Her employer, An thony Mallard, had long since taken his golf bag and departed in his roadster for the country club. Most of Nal lard's work was done mornings at the courthouse, where he was recognized as one of the leading young criminal law yers.
 Mallard did not know that Mildred was working 50 late; and as the girl slipped off her paper cuffs she tingled a bit as she pictured just how the good looking Tony Mallard would protest.
 "Now, look here, Miss Holmes," he would say, as his dark brows would come together in a frown that would be amusing because of his effort to make it appear severe, there s no need ot this, you know. There's no need of killing yourself, you know. Let the old work 90 until tomorrow"
 That was Mallard; never worried, brilliant, but lax about minor details. And underneath that big frame of his that had ripped football lines to shreds in the not so distant college days was a boy. Mildred Holmes was certain of that. And that was why she brought to her work a mothering, managing qual- ity that was more than could be ex- pected of a mere employe.
 But Mildred Holmes felt herself to be more than a mere employe; she was the whole office force and would have bitterly resented being provided with any assistants. You see, she was deep ly in love with Tony Mallard. She had found that out months ago. She won- dered if Tony had found it out.
 Going home that night she secpulated on the question as she did nearly every evening on that slow, tedious train ride home. She had tried desperately not to let him guess but then there were al- ways telltale signs just as she had found them in Tony. She was sure of that. She was certain that Tony cared for her as much, or nearly as much, as she did for him. Of course, a man is not expected to be able to conceal his thoughts 50 successfully as a woman and a big and frank youth like Tony Mallard is never skilled in the art of dissembling. Time after time those big, clumsy fingers, those mute eyes, that tongue that became suddenly inarticu- late-an had told plainly that she was worth moro to him than the salary he paid her.
 Of course those were little signs that she was Interpreting the way she wished to. Tony Mallard had never said nor done anything overt. He had been so- icitous about her family affairs, send ing flowers daily when her mother was sick but he had never asked to call. He had listened attentively to her descrip- tion of shows and parties, but he had never invited her anywhere, not even to lunch in two years.
 Now the cynical outsider might say that the pretty private secretary was building castles on rather nebulous foundation; but then the c. O. probably never was in love. Mildred Holmes was content to abide by her intuition. Tonight, as she rode home on the train she decided that it was time for her to bring her employer to the speaking point. ~
 She would plan it out tonight before she fell asleep; meanwhile she had bet ter glance over the paper before she reached home or someone else would get 1t first. The paper boy had left it at the office as early as o'clock, but she hadn't had time to look at it.
 She unfolded the paper and an article on the very front page near the bottom caught her eye.
 NOTED YOUNG ATTORNEY
 ENGAGED TO MARRY
 WEALTHY WIDOW
 It was announced today that Mrs. lone Winslow and Anthony Mallard were engaged to be married. No fur ther information other than the an- nouncement could be obtained up to the time the paper went to press as neither Mrs. Winslow nor Mir. Mallard could be located.
 Mrs. Winslow is a wealthy and at- tractive young widow, while Anthony ("Hony") Mallard is a leading young lawyer and a former star football play CT.
 The paper slipped from NIildred's grasp. So that was why the Inquirer had tried to get Mallard all afternoon. Anthony Mallard was engaged to be married. She was stunned by the in- Blindly shs left the train