The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-07-18
Love, Business,
Storm Clouds
Understanding
By AUGUSTUS sHERwIN


GO. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)
John GRESHAM came into his place
} of business like hurricane. His
lowering brow suggested the thunder
cloud. The girl at the Information"
desk stared at him in open-mouthed
wonder. Diggs, the office boy, ten min
utes late and just hanging up his cap,
tried to fade away from view. He was
halted by a stern peremptory chal-
lenge
"Late, are you? Don't repeat it i''
Diggs wilted. Over behind the rail-
ing Ned Warner bookkeeper, started,
stared hard at his relative and en-
pIoyer.
Il want it understood here and
now" fairly shouted Mr. Gresham, 81
won't have anybody in my service who
appears here for work jaded and worn
out with late hours. I'm watching
things-look outl"
As he slammed the door noisily af-
ter him young man sped quickly to
the side of Ina
ooh, Arthur" she gasped family,
what does it all meanp
Il can't tell you," replied Arthur
Gresham rapidly. 81 never saw father
in such mood before"
Perhaps he has heard about
about"
About our engagement? interrupt
ed Arthur. II think not. But he soon
will"
'You-you are going to tell himf"
1--WE done 1t already-by letter. I
just left it on his desk. Ina, for mer-
cy's sake hurry in there, quickl Get
that letter. It's no time, the present,
for father to read it. I'll be less cow
ardly and go to him openly when he's
out of this tantrum."
"Oh, / fear 1 fearI" trembled poor
Ina, but she went to the private of
fee.
Huh! looking for anything?" de-
manded Mr.. Gresham, so iercely that
her heart sank.
''Why, FL was looking for IA
letter."
THAT it?" challenged Mr.. Gresham,
and he held up missiye just opened.
swell, I've read it. You had better
leave here at the end of the month"
Arthur was in business for himself.
Not so Ned Warner. If Mr.. Gresham
was proud Of his strong, manly, indie
pendent son, he also loved Ned War
ner. The latter was the son Of his
dearest friend. On his deathbed Mr..
Gresham had promised to care for
him. That morning Mr.. Gresham had
learned of his being seen with gay
young card-playing and drinking
crowd. This was the cause that morn
Ing of his unusual spell of temper.
A dark cloud seemed to hang over
the Office all that day. Mr.. Gresham
remained in his Office until noon. He
walked out of the place then, his grim
silence adding new uneasiness to his
anxious watchers.
Ina, pale and sad-looking, was start
ing to. leave the Office for lunch when
Ned approached her in the anteroom.
Can I have a word with you, Miss
Vaile?" he inquired. "You have been
a good friend to me-" he said with sin
certify and humility. 81 am in deep
distress and I feel that must make a
confidant of you. / am responsible
for the trouble here this morning, am
sorry to say"
Il did not know that" replied Ina,
with true sisterly sympathy.
"Well, / am. have been foolish,
disloyal fellow to the kindest man
that ever lived, Mr.. Gresham, and he
knows it. Oh! my sins are not very
heavy, but have wasted time, gone
with riotous companions and other
wise disappointed him. He was hint
ing at me when he burst out so this
morning." and Ned, with honest tears
Of contrition In his eyes, told Ina the
whole story, ending up with: "For the
sake of you others guess had better
go somewhere and make man Of my
self"
"You will do nothing Of the sort y
declared Ina. There Is too much good
in you to throw yourself away. Go
straight to Mr.. Gresham, tell him all
you have told me, turn over a new
leaf and make him happy"
"Ill do 1t, and I'll reform, I VOW I
Will" cried Ned earnestly.
1t was late in the day when Ina
timidly entered the room of her en-
ployer, little dreaming of how favor
ably Ned Warner had paved the way
for n gracious reception
"Mr. Gresham" she said, Il have
decided not to wait until the end of
the month, but leave today"
"Why, hadn't you better stay for a
few days? My wife will be back from
the country Thursday, and then be-
tween you there can be arrangements
made"
"For whatT gasped the perplexed
Ina.
"Why, / supposed you would be glad
to have her cooperation as to the
trousseau and the wedding arrange
ments-"
"why" gasped the petrified Ina,
didn't you discharge me this MORN
ingT'
whats that? Me? Ha, ha no.
hol Bless me, my dear young ladyl
What ever put that into your head?
I simply suggested that. as you are
going to become our daughter, 1t was
best that you exchange office life for
the home Yes, indeed-just so"
And, despite the fact that he was
not entirely telling the truth. there