The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-14
Mixing Love and
Business
BY AUGUSTUS sHERWIN

AVl uCSh 0lol GU IL ItllI
open-mouthed wonder. Diggs, the
office boy, ten minutes late and just
hanging up his cap, tried to fade
away from view. He was halted
by stern, peremptory challenge.
Late, are you? Don't repeat it,"
Diggs wilted. Over behind the
railing Ned Warner, bookkeeper,
started, stared hard at his relative
and employer.
II want it understood here and
now" fairly shouted Mr.. Gresham,
II won't have anybody in my serv-
ice who appears here for work
jaded and worn out with late hours.
I'm watching things-look OUT"
As he slammed the door noisily
after him a young man sped quick
ly to the side of Ina.
'Oh, Arthur" she gasped faint
ly, what does it all medn?"
II can't tell you," replied Arthur
Gresham rapidly. Il. never saw ia
Their In such mood before"
Perhaps he has heard about
about"
about out engagement" inter-
rupted Arthur. II think not But
he soon WILL"
"You-you are going to tell
him?"
1--WE done it already-by letter.
l just left 1t on his desk. Ina, for
mercy's sake hurry In there, quick
Get that letter. It's no time, the
present, for father to read 1t. Ill
be less cowardly and go to him
openly when he's out Of his tan.
trum."
"Oh, I fearl I fearr trembled
poor Ina, but she went to the pri-
vate Office.
Huh! Looking for anythingT'
demanded Mr.. Gresham, 80 fiercely
that her heart sank.
"Why, IL was looking for IA
letter"
THAT it," challenged Mr..
Gresham, and he held up missive
Just opened. "Well, I've read 1t.
You had better leave here at the
end Of the month"
Arthur was in business for him.
self. Not SO Ned Warner. II Mr..
Gresham was proud of his strong.
manly, Independent son, he also
flowed Ned Warner. 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 a gay young
card-playing and drinking crowd.
This was the cause of his unusual
spell of temper.
A dark cloud seemed to hang
over the office all that day. Mr..
Gresham remained in his office un.
til noon. He walked out of the
place then, his grim silence adding
new uneasiness to his anxious
watchers.
Ina, pale and sad-looking, was
starting to leave the Office for lunch
when Ned approached her in the
anterOom.
Can I have word with you,
Miss Vaile?" he inquired. "YOu
have been a good friend to me-" he
said with sincerity and humility.
Il am in deep distress and feel
that l must make a confidant OF
you. am responsible for the trou.
bic here this morning, l am sorry
to say"
Il did not know that" replied
Ina, with true sisterly sympathy.
"Well, l am. have been fool.
ish. 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 cOmpan.
ions and otherwise disappointed
him. He was limiting at me when
he burst out so this morning." and
Ned, with honest tears of contri.
ton In his eyes, told Ina the whole
story. ending up with: For the
sake Of you others l guess / had
better go somewhere and make a
man of myself"
you will do nothing of the sort 7"
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"
''11l do it, and I'll reform, l vow
I WILL" cried Ned earnestly.
1t was late in the day when Ina
timidly entered the room of her
employer, little dreaming of how
favorably Ned Warner had paved
the way for gracious reception.
MIR. Gresham" she said, II have
decided not to wait until the end
OF the month. but leave today"
why, hadn't you better stay 70,
q few days? My wife will be back
from the. country Thursday. AMI
then between you there can be ar.
engagements made"
"For what?" gasped the per.
picked Ina.
"Why. suppose you would he
glad to have her cooperation as to
the wedding arrapgements-"
"Why!" gusped the petrified Inn.
didn't you discharge me this
m0rning?"
whats that? Me? Ha, ha! no.
no! Bless me. my dear young lady {!
What ever put that into your head :?
simply suggested that. as you
are going to become our daughter.
it was best that you exchange
office life for the home. Yes. ia.
deed-just sol"
And, despite the fact that he was
not entirely telling the truth, there
was such a kind, fatherly look in
his good-natured eyes that Ina did
not have the heart to galnsay him.