Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-03-20
NEEDED
NELLIE AS
GUARDIAN
By WALTER DELANEY

won In LindgroVe aIter 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
rotary, Nellie Ward, but she said 1t 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 position 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 beconi9
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 bank 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.
"You will find all necessary men,
oranda here" he continued, placing
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 impetuously,
how greatly you trust me"
"And how greatly you appreciate 1t,
Miss Ward" he returned with a quick
smile. "You have developed into a
splendid little business woman. l
don't know how I could get along
that is, you have been so useful and
willing"
He turned away shyly, like a great
schoolbOy making a blunder. The mu-
ha rruu MT hta IN rnanUni-
ton Of her harmonious position only
seemed to increase her growing re-
gard.
by the way" he went on, after II
moment or two Of consultation Of
some papers, here is something par
tlcular. 1t is a power of attorney au-
thOriZlng you to act for me I'm the mat
ter of a real estate transfer. / have
had very good offer for the upland
forty acres"
Nellie knew the tract well. II was
one Of two pieces of property left TO
him by his uncle's estate when he
came to Lindgrove. There was the
lowland forty acres nearby, a worth
less stretch Of swamp property.
These people," and Mr.. Mercer ex-
tended card, twill be In, they say, in
a day or two and pay two thousand
dollars cash for deed. You will exc
cute II, please, and take the money"
Marvin & Sharp, Brokers'" was the
legend the bit Of cardboard bore.
"And now good-by, Miss Ward" con
tlnued Mr.. Mercer, clasping her hand
and holding It. II leave everything in
your charge, knowing you will attend
to the business better than / possibly
could. It will be your turn for a two
weeks vacation when / return"
"Why, Mr.. Mercer, have scarcely
been here two months"
"And need q little recreation, like all
Of u.s." brightly reminded Jarvis.
Then his expressive face dropped
solemnly. He stared at his little help
err In surprise. A teardrop had fallen
upon his hand. His clasp frightened,
his breath came quickly. Then he
turned away and abruptly left the
room.
~ love him." Nellie told herself. ut
II IOllyI IOT ne tOulu never bhluh VI u
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
Lndgrove. He was not rich man,
far from 1t, but his simple charities
we're many, and one concrete deed Of
goodness. where he had saved poor
widow from foreclosure, had complete
ly won Nellle's heart.
II was two mornings later when
Nellie entered the front office OF the
suite unobserved. The boy who
opened up was busy In another room
and had not noticed her, nor had two
men seated in the outer apartment.
She was about to apprise them Of her
presence when q remark attracted her
attention sharply.
TITS a raw deal, Sharpw spoke one
Of the men.
THAT'S the kind that pays isn't II,
MarvinY and Nellie instantly knew
that the speakers were the expected
clients OF her employer.
"Yes. but II It's found out-about
that letter, you know"
at won't be. II II is, we've made
our turn, haven't wei See here, look
al the rationale Of the thing: this way
back sleepy Mercer has a tract with