The Washington times., 1924-03-13
Continued from Yesterday.

AOe@N - OSIONSA N0S SAAO 0HAA
= was in her eyes. They blinked.
She sat down suddenly on a
little pile Of dead hay. She COW
s cred her face with her hands.
That night, not mentioning
the receipt of her fathers letter,
she wrote. She wrote in
feverish excitement, the pages
lighted. Anyone reading, would
fancy hers the gayest heart in
the world. She told Of job
offered her-secretary of a
Northern California Farm Blu
reau and 1t was an undreamed-of
opportunity and q perfect miracle
that 1t should come to her. The
farm bureau was to establish per-
manent offices in San Francisco
and she would be located there
with a salary of 5000 a month
and chance to work into a
big executive position. She had
all the qualifications so Mrs.
Vale. secretary of the whole
organization, told her. Mrs. Vale
liked Chickie, even suggesting
that she intended to retire and
Chickie might then be ready for
her place and her salary of
$3.50 a month. OF course, she
wasn't counting on that. But
wasn't it thrilling that she should
get a chance like this just now
when she really hated the work
she had been doing. Oh, yes
she hated her old job-hated it
and hated it! That's what made
her SO tired lately. Hadn't he
noticed Mitchell was a terrible
crank. And then this salary
think of having $50 month
extra!
OF course, she'd have to be
stationed up here for a month or
two till they had the San Fran
cisco office ready-but then she
would be travelling about from
one county to another, and all
her expenses paid. Why-she'd
have the most gorgeous time and
she would see the whole country
even the Sierras and Lake Tahoe
and the giant redwoods-
So what did they think of
that? Why she was just hopping
with excitement over it and
wouldn't they please write imme-
diately and say for her to grab it
quick. She wanted it like any
thing. and she'd never get such
a chance again. They knew how
it was with opportunity and
only knocking once! So hurry
and say "yes-yes %
She pictured the two of them
reading that. She saw them
raise proud eyes and smile-that
Ch1ckie of theirs-smart- well,
was she They wouldn't deny
her-never stand in her way.
She knew that. Then only a
month or two and this brilliant
future in her hands
How well she read their hearts
hearts, easy to hurt,
easier still to delight. Jonathan
wrote-a bit formal this time, for
it was an occasion of dignity.
"Chickie girl, your mother and
l are pleased. We rejoice with
you in this opportunity. But we
want you to be cautious. Now
you have had four years and
more Of business experience, and
you should be in a position to
think and Judge for yourself.
We don't want you to be carried
away with the thoughts Of sight
seeing and travelling. We want
you to remember that anyone
who receives 5000 a month must
work hard for it. So we advise
you to make careful inquiries;
to weigh the matter well. Then,
if you still believe this is a great
opening, we are willing that you
should take it.
You'll not be so far away,
even for these two months, so
we'll expect you down over week
ends. Jennie and I are lonesome,
so we count this, but we don't
want our feelings to interfere
with a chance that may mean
happiness for you. So you write
you'll come home for a few days
before you take the job? If you
don't, I'm afraid your mother will
be downcast about It. She's got
surprises for you, Chicl1ie girl.
She wants you to see them. You
remember what I limited about,
don't your"
She cried reading that. She
could see Jennie padding about
her room, putting up new cur.
tains, drawing them back with
bright cords, standing aside, her
head cooked, proudly surveying
her work.
And when Chickie didn't re-
turn, Jennie would go again into
the room. She would draw down
the shades. There would come a
hush-a darkness in the happy
place that had been hers.
But she sent blithe response:
"Old darlings-dearest old loves:
I knew you'd let me have it! I
want it so. It's even better than
I thought. I signed up yesterday
"a contract, you know-very
formal. And I'm to begin work
at once so guess we can't have
the visit for a while. But just as
soon as ever ] can I'm coming
down. Oh-maybe you think I'm
not just dying for sight Of you.
can't dare to think how much
want to hug you, Jonathan dar.
ling. Last night I dreamed that
you and Jennie were standing at
the bed and looking down at me.
And you both kissed me again
and again. You don't know how
that made me feel. Honestly
when I woke up, my face was all
wet-so suppose I must have
cried. But just the same, this is
a job that only comes once in a
life and I never hoped for such a
chance. So now / want to take
it. 1t won't be so long up here
then think Of the great times we
can have on $500 a month. Why,
I'm going to buy a little automo-
bile and We'll step some-us
three"
Yet, Jonathan in his answers,
did not understand why she
couldn't take a run down on