The Washington times., 1935-09-14

And then she saw Ma trying
to cook in a kitchenette, and
Dad snoozing on the Chester.
field. And what would be-
come of Aunt Willie, who
might hang on to her job in
the Park Bakery while longer,
but could certainly never find
q brand-new job in San Fran
cisco? And Aunt Willie'S old
dog, Tootsie? And what would
Ma do without the sewing
machine, and the washing ma
chine, and there were all Dads
tools in the basement.
Something like a sigh escaped
Mary Shannon. For moment
she had forgotten the o'clock
whistles and the necessity Of
appearing hated and coated,
ready to close the typewriter
desk before Mr.. Bennett could
ask her to take another letter.
"Oh, Miss Shannon"
There it was. Bennet's
voice. Abrupt. Managerial.
Pretending not to know it was
late.
CHAPTER III.
She slipped into her coat,
went to the door Of the man.
ayers office.
eyes. Mr.. Bennett"
"Oh, you're ready to go!" He
slid his long legs off the desk,
pulled a flat white gold watch
from his pocket. Five two
well, never mind"
IF it's anything important
She hadn't meant to say that.
A certain disappointment in his
face. in the way he laid down
the little Sheaf of papers in his
hand, drew it from her. Of
curse, if it was really important
She hesitated, lips still
parted.
We'll, it's important-to me,
and, I thought, perhaps to you
NO, don't get your notebook.
Well do the report tomorrow.
It's that wire got this after
noon from Seattle. I'm ordered
up to the home office. Going to
be manager there. It's a big
thing for me"
She saw he was awfully
proud. Well, good for him. Good
for Bennett! He wasn't so bad,
really. Not bad looking, either,
and not so old. Now if he'd
just hurry with it, and not make
her lose the boat ..
He was floundering around.
Something in his eye. some
thing for her.
"You mean, the new man
won't-won't want me?" She
tried to keep her voice steady,
but the idea was frightening.
Losing a job now. when there
weren't any. being out Of
work.
"Oh, mol"
She breathed again.
1T isn't that" He cleared
his throat. cts a promotion
for me, you see. They said I
could bring my-my assistant
with me. Mr.. Samson, the
Seattle man who's coming down
here, thought of bringing his
stenographer with him, so a
complete exchange"
"You mean for me to go to
Seattle? To leave here!"
well. thought. . it would
be a promotion for you, too
the larger office. right in the
lumber country where our busi-
ness originates. I feel sure 1
could get you more money. If
you would like to make the
change
"Oh, Mr.. Bennett, I couldn't.
I have my family here-all my
friends. I couldn't leave. I
really don't see. Couldn't I
stay here? Would Mr.. Samson
keep me?"
"Oh, yes. It can be arranged
some way. I'll fix it for you
II just thought-the larger
opportunity"
Mr.. Bennet reached for his
hat. He looked rather tired.
He walked out ahead of her,
leaving her to lock the Office.
He never thought of anything
like that!-and she with less
than five minutes to make the
ferry!
She hated committing. Hated
1t most Of all on rainy nights.
The little California street cable
car was a life saver when you
were late. butt it cost a nickel
to ride, and when every nickel
counts
Besides, you had to run the
last long block anyway, for the
California street cable stops at
Market.
People got in her way. Old
girls with umbrellas, stepping
gingerly on the wet pavements.
People poking along from the
other direction. Coming out of
the markets and fruit stands
laden with paper bags-walk-
ing slowly. Just because their
boat wasn't in, they'd take their
time. and you could miss yours.
A big man with f1apping over
coat and a bag of golf sticks
was running lust ahead. What