The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-07-24

In the hallway LaSSlter Lolu Me-
in q low voice, "I'm mighty glaC
you shot it into Barnes about the
credit list he's been carrying. I've
argued with him for months. Ic
my mind, he's counting disaster
for the Henderson Department
Store by allowing these big, long
time accounts. There's a limit to
how far an establishment can GO
to keep good will"
Pm awfully pleased. to know
you agree with me-" Helena said
'I-Im going to need your help
! Mr.. LasSiter."
7 He did not answer directly, but
the slightest pressure on Helena S
arm was all the reinsurance that
she needed. She would have been
less than a woman had she failed
, to realize that John Lassiter was
attracted to her, and that he re-
spected her Judgment as well as
her charm.
Gently he guided her to the floor
above the mezzanine, to the small
auditorium which was sometimes
rented out to clubs, or used Tor
demonstrations - OF, less often,
for a meeting of employees. Try
ing to hide her nervousness,
Helena took chair on the plat
form beside John LaSsiter. In a
moment they were joined by
Courtney. Palmer than words, his
smile told Helena that she was
doing very we'll indeed with John
LaSSiter.
Barnes is sending word thru
the store that the new owner
would like to have the employees
convene up here" he told Helena
and LaSSiter.
Soon they began to drift in.
Helena could sense their unmls-
taxable feelings. The younger
women crowded for place near
the platform, anxious for a close
up of the girl who had married
Peter Henderson and who, through
a freak of fate, was now their
employer. The older women lin
gered toward the back of the lit
tie hall, frankly resentful. They
have been here for years" Helena
thought land now they're won
dering what Pm going to do with
them" The men were frankly
sullen. They lined themselves
along the back wall not taking
seats, as if they wanted to be
ready to leave at the slightest
provocation.
Barnes stepped to the platform.
Employees of the Henderson De-
partment store" he began in
stilted fashion, "we have with us
here the new owner of this or
ganization for which We have all
worked and planned together"
He turned to Helena with an arti-
fetal smile. Mrs. Henderson -.
Helena rose. There was a faint
wave of applause. 1--WE got to win
them," Helena thought. If l don't
do it now, Pm lost" Unsteadily
she moved to the edge of the
platform. She had heard that the
knees of frightened speakers
knocked together. Now she knew
that this was actually true. She
was grateful for skirts In that
awful moment.
Give never made a speech
in my life" she began. Then panic
struck into her heart-and was
quickly dispelled at the wave of
sympathetic laughter which greet
ed this confession. Regaining her
composure, she answered the
laughter with a smile. "But I've
stood on my feet behind counters
a good many hours, so don't see
why we can't understand one an
other.
Zone thing / want to assure
you-there won't be any sudden
changes in the personnel. / hope
there won't have to be any at all
sudden or otherwise. haven't
any definite ideas about the
store" She smiled again. "You
see, l haven't been here long
enough. If any of you, at any
time, have anything you want to
talk over with me, | hope you
will. Because that's the only way
III be able to learn
She stopped a moment, looking
over the little audience. 81 think
that's all | wanted to say-except
that | hope I'll have your help"
As Helena turned to Lassiter
and Barnes and the attorney she
could feel the heavy silence down
there in the auditorium. give
muffed it." she thought. "They
don't trust me- They"
Then suddenly it came, a wave
of spontaneous and prolonged ap-
plause. John Lassiter leaped from
his chair and clasped Helenas
hand. "You were marvellous! ne
exclaimed. "Listen to that ap-
proving buzz down there"
Barnes was not enthusiastic
however. ~ thought" he said
clearing hrs throat, that you IN
tended to outline some policy to
them. Pm afraid it isn't a good
idea to keep them after closing
time just for a general handshake.
Mrs. Henderson"
Il don't agree with you," Hell,
ena told him, holding her temper
with an effort. 81 happen to know
that there's one thing a loyal EN-.
ploye apprenticeship that's ar
occasional word from the owner
of the firm"
Courtney nodded. 81 don't know
whether your psychology was cal
culated Or not" he said, "but it
was perfect. / feared you might
try to impress them"
Impress them% Helena re-
peated. Then she laughed. "With
what2D