The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-12-02
Roses, Anonymous
By RUTH KELLY
tMcCwre Syndicate
tWNU SerVice.l
OLA MEEHAN shook her shiny
- black head sadly but firmly.


There's no use talking, Tommy.
To him I'm just a secretary. All
he ever says to me is Take a let
ter What l need is glamor!"
Gee, Lola" Tommy looked
down at her Importantly over his
basket of mail-''if you want that
guy, you're pretty enough to do
something about it."
They were talking about the boss,
7. Wellington Bradford. Wallie to
his friends. Dear Wallie to some of
them, including Lola, who never
really said it though she thought it
pretty consistently. Tommy the Of
flee boy, of all people, understood.
Right now there was conniving in
his young blue eyes.
Say, how about those passes to
the circus? Do I get 'em?"
Didn't l promise?"
Sure. Well, then" he moved
toward the door Guess I'll be 60
ing along to the post office"
When Lola came out of the boss
office an hour later with about ten
letters to get out before five o'clock,
she found a long white box on her
desk. Flowers. She stared in a
daze at the card. Thanks in ad-
vance for the passes," it said. She
was still staring at it when T. Wal
lington Bradford approached a min
ute later.
Birthday" he inquired politely.
"No-that is, yes Lola TANNED
the cover down somehow. almost,
anyway. lists next month"
He thrust his hands into his pock-
cts. There was amusement in his
ooh" Lola blushed, for he was
actually looking at her, curiously,
for the first time.
"Sa-ay-" and Lola thrilled to the
note of alarm in his voice. "You
wouldn't run out on me, would you?
Get married, l mean"
1t was something to tell Tommy
when he stopped at her desk the
next day. But you shouldn't have
spent the money, Tommy" she
said.
1T was worth it. Anyway, that
was my circus dollar and now you've
given me the passes l don't need
it."
What do you mean, Tommy Lin
toni"
81 mean a dollar amt much to
gamble. Course it's up to you"
Tommy stared hard at Cross and
Bradford's prettiest stenographer.
maybe you've changed your mind.
Maybe you feel he amt worth it"
Lola reached into her bag, drew
out a crisp green bill. "You mean
isn't Tommy, not amt, she said
reprovingly as she thrust the money
into his outstretched hand.
This time the flowers came while
the boss was out. When he came in
Lola was afraid he didn't see them.
He hardly glanced her way. But
he called to her a minute later.
"Well, whose birthday is it this
time? His?" He grinned. 1t was
a determined attempt, but, never
theless, a grin. Lola felt suddenly
foolish, receiving flowers at the Of
fee.
Hasn't he raised your salary so
you wouldn't leave him?" Tommy
pointed out to her several days
later
Eyes, but"
Hasn't he had your desk moved
so he can look out at your"
"That wasn't his reason. This is
more convenient"
Says you'll" Tommy moved away
disgustedly. THE trouble with you
is, you're ungrateful." He was back
a minute later with a long white
box. Lola just glared at him.
Tommy, how dared your"
81 didn't, Lola, honestly. This
box was out in the reception room
and Helen told me to bring it in to
you"
"Lola!"
T. Wellington Bradford's voice cut
the air like a knife. Lola jumped.
This was the end, she knew.
Lola, about the flowers" T.
Wellington Bradford got up from his
desk, moved with long firm steps to
the door, closed it on the curious
eyes in the outer office. Lola, /"
He was standing over her now,
almost commanding her to look at
him. Lola lifted flushed cheeks.
Honestly, Mr. Bradford, l don't
even know who sent them"
She broke off in surprise. The
boss eyes weren't the least bit an
cry. In fact, they were searching
hers, almost frantically.
"Lola-what l mean is-well-I
hope you like them!"