Arizona state miner., 1925-01-03
NEEDED
NELLIE AS
GUARDIAN
%, 1924, Western Newspaper Union)
By WALTER DELANEY

ton that Jarvis Mercer had
won in LindgrOve after sixty
days business establishment in the
real estate and mortgage line.
"And good as gold" was the ardent
and sincere addendum of his office sec
retary Nellie Ward, but she said it to
herself, as she glanced timidly at her
employer, and blushed self-consciously
Her true WOmanly heart was full of
gratitude toward the shy, reticent man
who had started her in business life.
She needed work sadly when she APP
piled for a position a grade better than
clerking in the village dry goods store.
Nellie had an aged aunt to support,
and when Mr. Mercer offered her near
ly double her former salary she felt
as though rare opulence had become
her portion.
Mr.. Mercer had shown her unusual
indulgence. He had been patient in
teaching her how to operate the type
writer. He had set her easy and pleas
ant tasks. From the first he had
placed entire confidence in her, and
this pleased her greatly. In fact, at
the end of the first month she attend
ed to bunk and other business when
he was absent
Her employer arose and came over
to where she was busy at her desk.
She felt her pulses quicken and was
angry at herself for the emotion.
81 am going away for two weeks,
Miss Ward" he said in his quiet, gen
tie way.
Her tell-tale heart informed her that
she would miss him. She dropped her
glance from those kindly eyes of his.
'YGu will find all necessary mem
oranda here" he continued, placing a
package before Nellie.
She noticed that the bank book was
included, containing some checks of
large amount. Adding to this the
large cash balances usually carried,
and the fact that she had authority to
sign checks during the absence of her
employer, a sudden wave Of emotion
overcame Nellie.
"Oh, sir" she spoke fmpetuously,
show greatly you trust mel"
"And how greatly you appreciate it,
Miss Ward" he returned with a quick
smile. "You have developed into a
splendid little business woman. l
don't know how 1 could get along
that is, you have been so useful and
willing"
He turned away shyly, like great
schOOlbOy making a blTnder. The mu-
tual embarrassment, his tacit recogni-
tion of her harmonious position only
seemed to Increase her growing re-
gard.
"By the way" he went on, after a
moment or two of consultation of
some papers, "here is something par
ticular. 1t is a power of attorney au-
thorizing y5u to act for me in the mat
ter of real estate transfer l have
had very good offer for the upland
forty acres"
Nellie knew the tract we'll. 1t was
one of two pieces of property left to
him by his uncle's estate when he
came to Iindgrove. There was the
lowland forty acres nearby, a worth
less stretch of swamp property.
'These people," and Mr.. Mercer ex-
tended a card, will be in, they say, in
day or two and pay two thousand
dollars cash for deed. You will exc
cute it, please, and take the money"
Marvin & Sharp, Brokers'" was the
legend the bit of cardboard bore
"And now good-by Miss Ward" con-
tinued Mr. Mercer, clasping her hand
and holding it. 81 leave everything in
your charge, knowing you will attend
to the business better than l possibly
could 1t will be your turn for two
weeks vacation when 1 return"
"Why, Mr.. Mercer, have scarcely
been here two months"
"And need a little recreation, like all
of u.s." brightly, reminded Jarvis.
Then his expressive face cropped
solemnly. He stared at his LITTLE help
er in surprise. A teardrOp had fallen
upon his hand. His clasp tightened
his breath came quickly. Then he
turned away and abruptly left the
room.
81 love him." Nellie told herself. "It
is folly, for he could never think of a
simple, untutored girl like me, butt
love him!"
Who would not! she challenged, as
she thought of the kindly deeds he
had done secretly since coming to
Lindgrove. He was not rich man.
far from it, but his simple charities
were many, and one concrete deed Of
goodness, where he had saved a poor
widow from foreclosure, had complete