The Washington times., 1931-01-06
A Romance of the
Business World
8 NEVOTNDV TTDT ROM
." Nl Busn

feminine hearts in the office at
his feet, he had to choose this
particular iceberg for his affec-
tions. It annoyed him. He was
nervous about this trick to be
played upon her, but it was
more than a trick for him.
He couldn't endure her deadly
silence any longer, her uncom-
promising frigidity. Something
had to be done about it. He
couldn't fire her. He wanted to
hold her in his arms, and to
whisper into her beautifully
formed ear just how much she
meant to him. He wanted to
know her, to hear her soft
golden voice talking to him with
animation-with affection.
The memory of that fateful
evening never left him. Gloria
arrived at. the office, looking
very tired, in the same dark
suit. Jack Leighton informed
her that she was to be taken
forcibly to a party.
One Big Family
"I'u take you home first and
let you change into your party
togs, and We'll go on from there.
You know, Miss Thorne, you
shouldn't be so shy with us.
We're all sort of one big fam
lily down here, and"-
She didn't hear him. She had
fallen fainting at his feet. He
laid her tenderly on a couch,
brought water for her, and then,
on his knees befo.H her, begged
her forgiveness, poured out his
incoherent words Of love.
"I adored you the minute I
set eyes on you-you're so
lovely and regal and different"
She wept when he said this,
and told him that her naughty
indifference hadn't been that
at all.
II was just hiding my pow
erty," she said. 1--WE been TAX
ing care of my mother and
father, and my little brothers
and sisters. Fathers been Ill
for months and out Of work.
He went bankrupt O year ago.
I had to act that way, so no
one would come to the miser'
able home where I live. It's
so mean and poor-I couldn't
lunch with the girls.
''I had no money half the
time for lunch. After all, the
children had to be fed first.
and fathers doctors bill had
to be paid. Twenty-Five dollars
doesn't go so far. I was afraid
to let you be kind to me"
He. was holding her in his
arms, kissing her, telling her
it didn't matter now. she
would never be unhappy again
She sobbed on. 'They thought
I was high hat wearing this
suit all the time. It's the only
thing I had left from the time
when we lived decently. We've
nearly died Of our pride, all OF
us"
Jack Leighton and Gloria
never did appear at that Office
party. And the staff never
penetrated the real secret OF
Gloria Thorne. even after she
became engaged to the most
affable office manager in the
world.
A Cousin Of Royalty
In fact Gloria's mystery deep
ened gratifyingly. =,
Hes never quite told me-"
Peggy informed Doris, her eyes
wide open with excitement.
"But I'm sure, she's a distant
cousin of the late Car, and
think she was unhappily mar
ried to a nobleman three times
her age - shuhhh, here they
come
meet the bride!" Jack Leigh
ton held Gloria'S little hand IN
his. She was radiant in q new
beige suit, with a bouquet OF
orchids at her bosom. A falnt
color flushed her cheeks.
1--WE stepped over to the city
hall and got married" JACK
said. Tomorrow, we're sailing
to Europe on our honeymoon.
some girls get all the luck
Peggy whispered wistfully 10
Doris.
you're forgetting" Doris re-
minded her, that Gloria be-
longs to the nobility"
aaa