The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-11-18

was doing willingiy--and she. was
taking orders
The sister stole upstairs,
| a prey to perplexity and ~forebodine.
| What she had seen was beyond all
belief. 1t was such an inexplicable
| thing that she did not even dare TO
| share the secret with Billy, far less
| to mention the discovery to Con-
| stance. But it kept Alice awake for
| at least an hour after she went to
| bed.
Billy did not become aware Of any
unusual development until the day
following. 1t was the middle of the
forenoon when he blundered into the
library, intending to make a final
plea for gasoline money. Constance
was sitting at the desk, and the eff.
cheney mar was pacing the floor.
talking.
Billy halted and opened his mouth
Involuntary.
And make a note of this" II.
Hedge vas saying. ITO notify the
servants that hereafter all orders
for supplies, in excess of dollar.
must be certified at the Office before
being delivered to tradesmen."
Constance nodded as she put Il
down.
Anything can do for you?'
asked Hedge, as ne observed Billy.
"I-hum.' +
II didn't understand. Repeat.
please"
Billy coughed and stared at his
sister, who glanced up, evidently an
noyed at the interruption.
"Wha-what are you doing, Con-
nie?" he blurted.
working" she answered shortly.
What are o doing?"
The question vas disconcerting.
and Billy i%nstinctively quailed under
H..
"Working?" he repeated duly.
"W-o-r-k.i-ng," spelled Constance
| coldly. What was the last, Mr..
Hedgc?"
She smiled UP at the efficiency man
and poised a ready pencil.
Just a moment, Miss Brooke" he
answered. Then, turning to Billy:
Your sister has taken up her secre.
tarial work in a most admirable
spirit. May I ask when you will as
sumo your c~lerkship?"
The question was brutal, not ne-
cause it involved work, but for the
reason that it suggested comparison.
a secretary may be a very important
person. Presidents Of the Unit'd
| states have secretaries, who are
commonly more important than
cabinet officers. If they We're not,
they would be abolished. A clerk
may also be important, but the title
lacks something. There is nothing
robust or dignifed about it. "Secre-
tary Jones' is a parsonage, even if
he is as colorless and insipid as
warm water. CLERK Smith" is no.
body, even if he is large, beefy, and.
oelligerent, with ar intellect of suit
able proportions.
Billy Brooke WINGED at the clerk
ship. but he did not address himself
to the efficiency man
You mean to tell me, Connie, that
you are working?"
Certainly"
"You've-quit?"
mo; begun"
"But-Connief'
Billy found no consolation in the
eyes of his sister. They were cold
and steady. 1t was obvious that she
was annoyed at the interruption.
1--WE are still on orders for sup
Plies she reminded H. Hedge. is
there something more under that
head?"
Billy faced about and hurried from
the room. He paused in the hall and
drew a deep breath. The Brooke
family was disgracedi
1t did not add to The peace Of
Rilly's mind to discover what ne
suspected-that, by working. Coz
stance had regained ncr daily aii,w.
ance. His own was suspended, pend
ing that time when he should i@tjie
to assume his clerical duties. Thus
the two Brooke sisters were again in
funds, even though of limited size,
while their brother reniainad ienni-
less.
Billy and Alice hesitated to speak
what wa in the mind OF each, but
one day the tacitly maintained wall
OF reserve broke down, ard they un.
! burdened their thoughts in q far cor.
ner of the gymnasium.
NEXT CHAPTER; Efficiency On .