Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-04-10
Expect the Best,
and Get 1t
BY J. r. MCCARTHY
20 by Western spapsr Union. f,

IoHN SIMMONS knew that he IVES
- losing out with Lucille Bergen |
There was no startling, definite reason
why he should lose her, But he "felt
II In his bones"
Lucille Bergen had begun to drift
away from him, he knew, even before
that internal egoiist, Edwin Story, be-
gan to pay attention to her. And when
Story, with his loud selfconfidence,
finally persuaded Lucille to go to a
dance with him on Thursday night
which had always been Johns night
John saw his fears coming true.
Walking through the park that af-
ternoon John tried to get a new sneak
Ing premonitlOn out Of his head. II
would be tragedy to lose his job, es-
pecially, now when he was making al
effort TO secure an important position
as head Of the art department In
big new firm.
Suddenly he heard loud, cheerful
voice, followed by the trill Of laughter
he knew so we'll. Edwin Story, telling
hearty joke, and Lucille Bergen.
laughing. Before John could step aside
the two came around a bend in tho
path and confronted him.
Hello. John" they called In unlsoi,
Good afternoon"
ED was just telling me-" said LII
ellie, that he is going to get a big jos
as head of commercial art depan
ment. Imagine! And he knows pra,
tically nothing about the work. Ism
that joker
Johns effort at laughter wasn't YER.
successful.
Laugh all you please" announced
that confident fellow. II don't know
anything about art. but know peo
pie"
Lucille laughed again. Then she
turned to John and asked him delhi
erately, "Why don't you try for the
job? You are a real artist"
John frightened for an instant
why" he said, 81 have my appl'
cation in"
'Therew Lucille turned to Edwi.
Story triumphantly. 81 told you Sc
You'll have fine chance to land thay
job with real commercial artist In
competition !"
"You just wait and see," said Story.
"All right, wen see John here walk
ing away with It. Won't we, JohnT"
II don't know. I'm afraid, maybe
There's lot Of rivalry, you know"
A week later when he learned that
his application had been turned down
John was disappointed but not greatly
surprised. Somehow or other he had
felt It in his bones that bad luck would
meet him In this case as before But
when the daily papers announced thar
Edwin Story, the popular salesman
had been chosen to ill the opening
John ragged helplessly. What was the
use Of knowing anythlng7 Why be a
careful, serious worker when only the
loud-mouthed boosters got anywhere2
Angry, discouraged, botching his
work, John put in bad Saturday
morning. Leaving the Office dejectedly
at noon. he was almost run over by
blue roadster. AS the car flashed by
he recognized Its occupants-LucIlle
and Story. They did not notice him.
Stepping back on the sidewalk, John
leaned against n post. What to dor
oh, yes, lunch. He pulled his Satur-
day pay envelope out Of his pocket
Maybe he was lucky to have even
Job. He drew out several bills and a
piece Of paper. Opening the paper
quickly, John read: after the oath
Of this month your services will no
longer be required"
Fired John Simmons moved away
slowly not knowing exactly where he
was going Fired Presently he waa
in his old haunt, the park, seated on n
bench He had forgotten his lunch
Fired
Johns head was In his hands Hall
hour later he pulled himself together
raised his head and looked about him.
John Simmons stirred, rose started
or In brisk walk. Perhaps he him
self was to blame The more he
thought of his past. the more con
vlnced he became.
John Simmons smiled II was q grim
smile, but II meant great deal. II
meant that he had turned his back on
thirty blue years. II meant that now |
with Lucille lost, chance lost, job gone |
he was going to begin all over again |
Hereafter he was-but there, on
bench, sat Lucille herself John sat |
beside her, unasked. He didn't even
wonder what had become Of Story.
Hello, Lucille, just got fred.
"Ohp Lucille looked up from her
book. "You frightened me. But what's
that? You don't mean you're really
fired? Why, there's not better com
mercial artist In the city. And just
after you lost that big chance with
the new company. It's too bad, John
I'm sorry. I've been having a fight"
she caught herself II was only then
that Lucille saw Johns smile "You
are just teasing me-" she said.
Johns smile broadened. "No,
wasn't teasing Here's the notice"
But" he added, as her sympathy
returned, II think it's a mistake. I'm
going over the matter with the chief
on Monday, and he'll see II as do. I'll
stay on the pay roll. all right feel
II in my bones"
Lucille's eyes widened. "AttaboyP'
she applauded.
John grew serious. thereafter I'm
going to expect the best and see to II
that | get 1t. lost, mean almost
lost my Job. lost a big chance.
lost you"
How do you know. John, that you
lost met"
For full minute he looked into her
eyes. Then, by thunder" he said ~