The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-15

softly on thick rugs, safe doors
squeaked. typewriters were pulled
clatteringly into place.
\ thin winter sun climbed higher
and higher up the wide windows.
Marley and Philbricks' New York
offices were limbering up for the
day.
shirley York, stenographer, almost
stealthily adjusted herself at her
desk. Shirley's one wish, this
morning. was not to be noticed.
She wanted 10 be inconspicuous.
She longed for dark gray cloud
that would hide her from the rest
of the world
II anybody spoke 10 her, she
thought, she would bite or scream.
She was tired, she was irritable, and
she knew it,
Usually Shirley was neither in
conspicuous nor irritable. She was,
on the other hand, a quiet vivid
young woman, with eyes a sparkling
brown, the color Of a trout brook
dancing along a clear brown bed
in the sun; hair soft and waving,
the color of oak leaves in winter /;
skin. creamy and rather thick, with
"a warm. soft Hush on the cheeks.
Shirley dressed becOmingly, had
lovely body. and voice like music.
Her disposition was good. And she
was never tired. She could work
all day and dance all night. after
the manner of modern youth, with
no sign Of fatigue.
The cause OF Shirley's grouchl-
ness and wish for oblivion? Her
best bet In the way Of a boy friend
outside the office, that is; of
course there was always Peter Pc
terson. the big blond bOokkeeper,
but he didn't count-Shirley's best
bet. with whom she had gone to a
party the night before. had bored
her terribly. Shirley was through
with him. For the moment, life
held no hopeful prospect. She just
wanted TO be left alone in her cold,
gray world.
The morning sun. creeping up
ward quite suddenly shot a ray In
Shirley's eyes.
Looking up. her glance fell on the
roughly thatched head OF Peter bob
hing over his work-like a scrag-
ely haytack. she thought, through
the glaSs-topped partitions between
his department and hers.
she sighed.
Too bad he didn't count
He was so nice.
But he didn't
He was just like that scraggly,
haystack hair-sort OF awkward and
homely.
Shirley sighed again and tried to
be inconspicuous.
Sam. the Office boy. caught sight
OF her and came TO her desk.
Hey. Miss York" he said In
kissing whisper. you're to take the
telephone board for the day. And
hustle. The boss Is on a tear"
I'm TO DO what?" asked Shirley,
a-hast.
Take the board? This morning?
won't You can just tell him so.
He's-Where's Miss SIMPSON,"
"Phoned she had a cold ans goin'
To stay home"
"Well, OF all the cast-iron nervel
Ne take the board? Why, l hardly
know how TO work the darned
thing. L"
law. come on" urged Sam. Get
busy. will you? Don't crouch. You
gotta do it anyhow. It's buzzing
now, and it's probably his"
Shirley hurried from her desk to
she switchboard. slipped into the
chair. adjusted the ear-pieces and
quickly. though not very deftly,
made certain adjustments of plugs
and buttons that quieted the buzz.
sam was right; 1t was his"
The day was on in earnest. now.
Shirley managed her substitute
job well enough. but with a great
deal more strain to herself than If
she had been more familiar with the
work.
BY twelve O'Clock she was in
fine state of nerves and irritability.
When sam passed her desk with
IN assorted armful of Office sup
plies she snapped at him so saw
a-ely that he dropped half of them.
"Oh, I'm sorry. SAM" she said, as
he kneeled TO pick up erasers and
paper clips, blotting paper and pen
ellis. But p. BIS been on a ram
page all morning-Wait a minute,
he's buzzing again. Yes. Mr.. Boyd.
YeS-yes. the man said they'd sure
" he here by three. Well"
Shirley slumped in her seat.
We'll. what do you know about
about that? Had me telephone for
two seats for Saturday matinee for
Bird in the Bush,' TO be here by
n Western Union messenger by
three. and now he swears that
he said they must be here by one.
| suppose he wants TO take them to
his girl friend when he has lunch
with her. I'll have 10 go get them.