Nogales international., 1931-03-14
Sixth Installment

SlXth lnStaIlment
Maggie Johnson, whose father is a letter
carrier, is the domestic drudge of the humble
home where her mother does little except
bemoan the. fact that she has seen better
beauty shop, lies abed late. Maggie has to
get the family breakfast before she starts
out to her job in the Fiveand- Ten-Cent
Store.
Joe Grant. He tells Maggie that he has been
assigned to work as her helper in the stock
room. He seems rather dumb, but Maggie
helps him through his first day at the store
and shares her lunch with him in cubby-
hole of place that belongs to a mattress
factory next door to the Fivc-and-Ten.
They are looking over some cheap picture
cards. One of them has motto that strikes
Maggie's fancy. The way to begin the IDEAL
life is to begin" She and zoe ~. taiS aoSu. gu.
higher standards than he had suspected
When he goes home that night he is think
ing about Maggie. And his home is the home
Of the owner, of the Mack FIVE and len. len.
Cent Stores, though Maggie does not suspect
that he is the boss SON.
Maggie, at home, begins to suspect
that her mothers complaints are due to
that lady's belief that happiness depends
upon material things, while at the store
she continues to surprise Joe by her ap-
probation of the realities of life
Joe knew that Maggie was falling in love
with him before Maggie discovered it. But
he was little slow in discovering that he,
in turn, was falling in love with Maggie.
But he admitted to himself that his admira-
tion for her was growing, and the girls IN
the store began to notice something difter-
cnt about her.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
"But now, 1issen, Joe," she resumed
seriously, there's what | want to ask
you. Could anyone who wasn't born to
be 1ady-now, frinstance, like
me-lny mother talks a lot about
nv grandmother Petheridge, but-but
nv mother"-she hesitated-"you
wouldn't say she was always putin
others first, and thinkin-ger an serv-
niger others before she does herself.
You couldn't-honest say that, Joe.
So that" Again she paused. An
'Lizabeth positively is not lady" she
admitted regretfully. "Well, anyway,
do not think Liz is lady-not yet,
anyway. But Joe-do you think
Again she foundered. II guess I
couldn'tW she said hastily, shrinking
back, gallant, and he saw she was
trying to save his feelings. "You
don't have to tell me, Joe" she said.
Maggie, I not only believe you
could, but I believe you will J!
"Well, if you say SO" she almost
sang, and she ratified joyously away.
On the next Sunday he went to see
her. -
He reached the Johnson cottage in I,
the neighborhood of three o'clock.
He had to wait few, cold, wet,
silent minutes before footsteps, audi
bly, approaching through the house, |
notified him that it had been heard.
Miss Elizabeth Johnson admitted
him. For want of any guidance,-for
Liz, after a shout of Maggie! Man !
here!" had almost Immediately disap-
peared into what later proved to be
her bedroom door,-Joe had followed
the little hall into an empty dining |
room smelling OF rotting apples and
dust, and had put his head in at the
kitchen doorway.
Ma Johnson, heavy, woollen ki-
mono tied about her ample form with
draggled tassels, was in the rocker.
At the sink stood a nondescript, for
lorn little figure that Joe could not for
some minutes at all identity with the
gallant picture he had formed of Mag
gie's father.
Behind the table ard between the
sink and the stove was Maggie. She
looked at him and said delightedly:
well, what do you know! l never
heard you ring. If it isn't Joe Grant
Joe, have you had dinner?'
Just up from the table. Hello,
Maggie Joe said, grinning.
This is my mother, make you ac-
qaainted with my father; Pop, this is
Joe Grant" said Maggie.
Ma. was evidently not favourably
impressed by Maggie's friend.
i didn't know you expected call
or, Maggie"
Il didn't, Ma. Sit down, Joe. You
don't have to finish those if you don't
want to, Pa. I hate to have you
take off your apron"
Sometimes = my father = kinder
helps me, Joe,' she stanmered, with
her gallant little smile.
Il don't mird wipin' 'cm one bit,
Maggie her fathers mild voice said
surprised1y.
"I'll help you," said Joe, putting his
hat and coat on chair in the corner
OF the kitchen and helping himself to
dish towel.
When we haven't a maid we cat
out here. I'm one that's always had"
said Mrs. Johnson. So it don't come
very easy for me to put up with this
sort Of thing"
Il see" Joe said, nodding. He sat
down on the edge OF chair, and
cleared lis threat, and said politely:
Mrs. Johnson, # you've no objec-
ion, could Maggie go out with me fer
i while p
why, I haven't no objections"
Mrs. Johnson said discontcntedly, after
l faorncnt. Maggie isn't nothing but
A child, Mr. Grant, an her father an
don't want her to get no silly no
tions into her head"
Temp p'rarily-ternp' 'iarily she has
accepted position i'll a--well, in
i've and-ten," said Ma.
y work there myself, you know,
tFr Tol7nSOt, "