Evening star., 1928-06-04

WI them thoughtfully at her thlrc
assistant. 1t was not the frs
time that she had looked
thoughtfully at Jean Royce, but 1t wa.
the first time she had ever seen wha'
she saw now.
"She cried before she came to the
osice this morning." Miss Barlow con-
cluded. she is unhappy. Youns
things shouldn't be unhappy, / dont
ike 10 see il"
1t was a fact that jeans big, she'll
rim glasses cid not cover up all the
fesr-stain about her eyes Her moutn
too, had a despondent droop, and II
It had not been closed so tightly IL
might have trembled.
From the first Jean had been some
thing Of mystery to Miss Barlow, Inc
senior member Of the firm had hireo
the girl direct from business scnooi
and she had proved TO be we'll trained
and willing. She lived at home with
her mother, and did not make frienoS
with nrettv, blond Miss Rhodes. or
stviish' dark Miss Howe, both OF whom
were serving their second year Onder
Miss Barlow. She did not even MAKE
friends with Miss Barlow although IL
might have seemed TO her interest 10
do so. She came by herself, went by
herself. and ate her lunch alone at
noon. out OF small, double basket WIN
handles.
However. 1t was none of these things
that puzzled Miss Barlow; 1t was rather
tbs appearance of the girl herself. She
wore black skirt, long-sleeved' hlgn-
necked, black. pongee blouse, olack
coat and black hat Of severe shape
Neither jewelry, perfume, color nor
a,H SsS1NXrr-cH
Her soft brown hair was dragged back
frcna her high forehead into an aston
ishinclv tight little wad at the wrong
angle of her head and she wore large,
sheli-rim glasses which covered up
third of her pretty, pale complexion,
Most girls" thought Miss Barlow,
rlancinr at the brilliant Miss Howe
and the winning Miss Rhodes, most
girls try TO make themselves look as
well as they can This girl seems try
ing to make herself look as bad as she
can. I can't fatl1om 1t, and WHAT'S
more. 1 haven't time to try 70, TO-DAY.
II was a particularly busy Gay. Inc
third and Youngest partner, Mark VIII
lard who had succeeded 20 his fathers
place in the business, was IN ana out OF
the Office half dozen times an hour,
and each time he entered the dark
girl and the blond girl showed thai
thew were keenly aware OF him. But
Jean Royce never lifted her eyes, al
Though Mark Willard was an extremely
reasonable Young man whom any girl
might have taken an interest in.
Once he had occasion to speak to
lean. and Miss Barlow watched them
curiousIy, the other girls enviously.
He could have told me and I could
have tol6 Jean" Miss Barlow thought.
She wondered If Mark. the much
snalshs-affer, found the girl something
OF fhe same mystery that she herSen
did. She was inclined 10 think that
he did
And nothing attracts q mans fancy
more than mystery" Miss Barlow
found that she had let drop Of ink
fan from the tip of her fountain pen
upon her new blue blotter. 1t vexed
her. for she liked her desk TO be neat.
Miss Barlow was IS, and 20 years in
the business world had taught her TO
sift the wheat from the chan. There
vas a quality about Jean Royce that
she had not hitherto found among her
Office associates. The girl was fine, not
o coarse thread In her. But In spite OF
ali her painStaking. she did not give
promise of that efficiency which Is
necessary 70 business success.
When the noon hour came Miss Bar
low went over 10 Jean Royce.
Gene to lunch With me. my dear,
she eaid. Its such a dreary day. !
feel I'd like scme conpanv-" 8ss as
Jean booked up gratefully, flushed. and
raurmured an acceptance.
Miss Barlow lunched every day IN a
fsvuritc corner Of her favorite restau-
rant. Usually she had sandwiches,
Esv% fr~0 q
little further and had cakes and chick
en- 10 please her guest.
Immediately after they sat down Jean
removed her glasses. folded them af1c
laid them beside her plate.
My eyes feel little tired" she ex-
planned
fEiSs Barlow looked at the girl in as
tonignnent. The removal Of the glasses
mace a striking difference In her looks.
jean had beautiful eyes, large. clear.
and Of q osely blue gray, with long
iaslaes
Why do you wear theua?" asked Miss
Barlow. They're not necessary, arr
fteyg" She leaned forward confidently.
"ATe they anything but plain glasses?"
Jeak1St her lip.
No. Mey aren't" she confessed. II
wear tnGMa becaase-because they make
ne Eo1k older for one thing, and-and
rnose business-like" /"
~Tt's p.ty--a great pity" said Miss
Barlow firmly
30 yoa think so?" asked Jean,
httle breathless1y.
Il CO. ] recommend that you leave
CT wearing giasses. since you can see
better without them. Another thing
go4 have lovely hair, Why not give
that chance, toc2"
But, Miss Barlow" protested Jean,
81 do SO want 70 lock strictly business
ike. am g3 anxious 10 succeed, and
appearance has such a lot 10 do with II.
II you knew how carefully have chosen
nv cozturnel OF course, black isn't
necessary but black is 50 seryiceable.
No ore can tell whether IT Is new or old
black. and mother and ! have to--to
consider these things nov that We are
alone together. ] wish you could know
my motief"
I shall come 10 see her" promised
Lslxs Barlow.
Tne following Sunday afternoon Miss
Barlow went 70 Lamont street 70 call on
fne EcyoeE Jean met her al the door
Of the SNAIL, plain house which yet had
such q gocd air about IL within and
sstnout Miss Barlow almost gasped a.
the sight Of the girl. Jean was IN pink
without tire giasSeg~-a youthful. radiant
pink with her lovely hair waved and all
her beauty uaoimmeo by disguise.
Mrs Royce was a gentle. dear little
woman, w1th sweet eyes and charming
appeal Of manner.
Tney made Miss Barlow stay to sup
per. and over the cake which Jean mad
made they became slightly confidential.
Il don't like the way Jean dresses for
her goFk Mrs, Royce said. "Of course,
IL is ali right for aer 10 Wish 10 look
bQxi1ess-lske, bet those glasses. and the
way she does her nair. and~snd~and
tiast dreadful little black hat without
sny trimming a. slI'"
is 4 an nnezplslna2le mystery"