Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-28


morning. It had been snow
ing and she decided to make
allowances for possible delay. She
had never yet been late and she was
particularly anxious just now to do
nothing to interfere with her we'll
earned reputation for punctuality.
A year ago she had taken course
in efficiency. 1t had cost her at the
time more than she could easily al
ford, but she was congratulatlng ner-
self on it now that her swift rise in
her new position proved that 1t was
money wisely spent.
Miss Darnell, the office manager,
was leaving to be married at the end
of the month, and Ann hoped, not
without reason, that the managership
would be offered to her. From the
first, Miss Darnell had signaled' her
out, given her plenty Of opportunity
to show her efficiency and Ann felt
that she had always been equal to the
occasion. She knew the office upside
down and inside out, could lay her
hand in a moment on any information
that might be wanted. She had kept
to herself, too, not making friends
with the other girls. She did not be-
lieve, for one thing, in too great ia
miliarity, and since Miss Darnell had
given her hint that she was leaving,
Ann had held even more aloof. You
can't be friendly with girl one min
ute and reprimand her the next!
Ugh! It was bitterly cold. In spite
of her rubbers and her spats her
ankles were wet. She plodded on, her
feet sinking deeper and deeper into
the snow.
"Me.ow, meow" said the kitten
piteously.
Ann stood stock still. The creature
was actually rubbing itself against her
gathered legs.
"Shoo," said Ann, but the sound
was less a rebuff than caress and
the kitten, after semi-startled up
ward glance, continued to dry itself
against this comforting human being.
There, there" Ann leaned down
and stroked the wee, hedraggled OBJ
iect, then pulled herself together. She
had no time to stop and look after
stray kittens. This one did look mis-
cradle and half starved, but 1t was no
business of hers, anyway. The kitten,
however, evidently thought 1t was, for
as she moved on it tried to keep up
with her. Again she stopped and pre-
tended to shoe it away. 1t just looked
up at her pleadingly. How thin it
was, how abjectly it craved her help.
Catching it up in her warmly gloved
hands she held it against her breast.
Immediately the creature began to
purr happily. Ann stood irresOlute.
If she didn't hurry she'd be late.
What in the world was she to do with
this little, clinging thing? With a
quick movement she slipped 1t into
the pocket of her heavy coat and hur-
ried on to the subway.
1t was warm in the train and the
kitten settled comfortably to sleep,
and while she walked the block and
a half to the office Ann forgot all
about it. She was thinking again Of
the appointment which would prob
ably be made that week, and wonder
ing whether or not she would get it.
AS Ann came into the building the
Junior partner was entering the eleva-
tor; he stood aside to let her pass.
AS he did so his glance was at.
tracted by movement, and looking
down he saw two very bright eyes
looking at him from over the top of
AIMS pocket. The movement in
creased. The junior partner raised
his eyes to AIMS face, which grew
crimson as her hand slid down into
her pocket, trying to stay that per-
petual motion. But the kitten was
hungry IUW dHu WOulu IlOI NC pcNSAACN1
Meow" it cried piteously. Me
ow."
The junior partner looked at Ann
questioningly. She avoided his eyes.
Whatever would he think Of her
bringing a kitten, a Wretched, dirty
little kitten, to the Office?
Meow, meow" came more loudly
from AIMS pocket.
The junior parner's smile broad
ened. With flaming cheeks, Ann