The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-21
b. LAURA lou
- BROOKLYN

prise to me, too. I'm going with
Colmans group. It's-wel, frankly
quite a promotion. More money and
I'll have a chance to try some
things we couldn't do here.
Chambers has been very decent
about livery considerate. I'm 60
ing to Philadelphia. Leaving in just
/ few days. There are some things
III have to attend to first"
There was real regret in Janets
voice. She said, "Oh, but I'm
sorry, Mr.. Hamiltonl I mean-of
course it's fine for you, but well
miss you so. The Office won't be
the same without you'll"
Hamiltons smile was almost boy
ish. No? Well, thatIl be a good
thing. I guess I've been a pretty
hard taskmaster. Cross and irri-
table,"
"Oh, but you HAVEN'T Why, you
haven't at alll'
Hamilton nodded. ''I have" he
said, but I really didn't mean to
be. You've spoiled me, Janet Com
pletely spoiled me. Night after night
you've stayed here after your days
work was supposed to be through.
you do more work than any sec
rotary I've ever had and you know
how to go ahead without asking
questions. Maybe you didn't think
I've noticed how much overtime
you've been putting in the last few
months, but I havel"
But I didn't mind" Janet as
sured him.
Il know you didn't. That's just
the pOintl You've let me impose
upon you. Never complained!
If you'd only reminded me that
you we're supposed to stop at 5
O'Clock, I'd have let you go then"
TANET was embarrassed. She
y said, But I don't see what the
magazine will do without you,
Mr.. Hamilton! Who's going to do
your work? Who'll take charge
of the advertising Department."
Hasn't all been settled" Hamil-
ton told her, frowning slightly. Il
was coming to that. You see, this
offer from Colman's came quite I'M
eXpectedly. haven't talked to any,
one about it except Chambers.
He's arranging for me to get away
Immediately and for time they'll
carry on without naming a new adj
vertising manager"
"Oh!" 1t didn't answer Janet's
problems. She was wondering
how all this was going to. affect
her. Affect her, it assuredly would
How would she get along with her
new employer? A stranger, most
likely. Hamilton had been demand
ing, but he also had his good points.
He was speaking again. There's
something else" he said, and hest
tated. II don't like to say this, but
when my job is ended here, I'm
afraid yours will be, too"
She didn't speak, but her eyes
widened and she made a quick
little gesture with her hand.
IT'S not that your work hasn't
been appreciated" Hamilton went
on quickly. Il assure you that it
has. I've told Chambers you're
unusually capable. He knows that,
anyhow.
Its just that things haven't been
going so well with the magazine.
It's going to pull out all right. I'm
sure of it! But for the next year
there's no question but that ex-
penses must be reduced. That's why
no one is to be named to take my
place.
Dawson and Hartley will take
over the duties. Share them some
how. I'm not sure myself the plan
will work, but at least they'll make
stab at it. If it fails they'll try
something else.
But whatever happens the Office
staff is to be reduced. They'll have
to make other cuts, too"
you're trying to tell me-" Janet
said slowly, that I won't have a
job?"
Hamilton nodded. ITO put it
bluntly-yes."
Janet glanced down at the type
writer keys before her. She had
used them for over two years. She
had sat at this desk, spent the
greater part of each day, six DAYS
week, in this plain box-like room
with its plaster walls covered with
maps and charts, its carpetless floor.
It's filing cases and rickety book
case.
1t had seemed to Janet that.
though the rest of her world might
rock, this part-the part surrounded
by these four office walls-Was Sc
cure. She had never dreamed that
this could happen. Discharged!
That was the word for it!
LIVER eyes raised. Hamilton was
Il Il watching her He said kindly.
I've been thinking about you. I
don't like to go away and leave you
looking for work. Jobs are hard to
find these days"
III find something" Janet as
sured him. Her voice was fat
You'll give me a recommendation.
I suppose?"
Gladly! But think I can do
little better than that. I've been
looking around, thinking, trying to
find a position that would suit you.
One where you could be as useful
as you have been here and where
the work would be congenial. I think
I've found it"
She was listening eagerly, but she
did not interrupt. Mr.. Hamilton
didn't like to be interrupted when
there was something he wanted to
say.
Its not quite the same kind Of
work you've been doing" he went
on, but think you could handle
it Splendidly. It's with my sister.
She's widow and since her daugh-
ter's marriage she's been living
alone-except for servants, of course.
Il don't think it's good for her.
She's not in the best of health,
though she's not in any sense an
invalid, either.
What she needs is a social sec
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