The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-12
Chapter 26
New Life

CuBdBGQ III SOIAiG SIuCISSllCy Typ
ing with a nervous kindly Miss
Violetta Lee. Miss Lee interested
her. She combined rather old
fashioned soft voiced Southern
graces, and what must once have
been a clear-featured delicate old
portrait prettineSs, with an able
grasp on her job, which con-
cerned statistics on population.
She was an important person,
Eileen found, in the institute.
Aside from that she was rather
pathetically domestic. Her per-
sonal interest centered around the
period perfection of small apart
ment which held the remains of
a Virginia manor's furnishings,
and attentions to what sounded
like a rather selfish invalid
mother. The mothers photograph,
frail, gray-waved and bravely
smiling, was silver-framed on
Miss Lees desk along with those
of a haf-dozen stairstep nieces
and nephews.
Doing Miss Lees checks at the
month end offered further in
sight. Bills for the smallest niece's
tonsillectomy. For a layette. For
the last term at a Connecticut
boys school.
She was called into Delevan's
Office some weeks later, again. He
was not alone. A gray-haired,
stocky man stood examining one
of the pin-stuck maps on the far
thest wall. Lewis came forward
with that heartening warmth in
his manner which she had seen in
him once before.
1--we been hearing fine things
of your work." he said. He
dropped his voice to add, "This
gentleman Is not to know that
you work here" He turned to
him, saying, This is Mr.. Harbi-
son, Mrs. Dane. He has paper
here that ! believe you want to
sign"
She knew what it was, Of
course, even before Mr.. HARRISON
said something pleasant about APP
probation of her cooperation,
and the other sides hope that she
would reconsider her too unselfish
attitude about settlement. She
only shook her head, with a look
at Lewis, who said, Mrs. Dane
tells me that she has good reasons
for wishing nothing. She is pro-
vided for"
So in short moment the paper
was signed and Mr.. HARRISON was
gone and 1t was done.
She said to Lewis, trying to let
the words sound easy, Hes
marrying Caroline as soon as it's
Overt"
Lewis nodded. " understand so.
a sound fine girl like Laura
Grant would have been a better
balance wheel for him, but after
all Caroline is Martins own sort.
Pity. Now, Eileen, we're GO
ing to put all this behind us.
You've a long life ahead of you
with fine things in il"
She spoke bitterly before she
thought.
"You mean ending in an impor-
fant job like Miss Lees. Getting
all het up about whether Mother
viii feel wen enough to go to the
Savoy Company's Patience this
season. Visibly overcome with
happiness because everybody says
little Joan Is her image!"
"No." He was smiling, as if at
a child. after all, Miss Lee
might be as excited about small
things if she was Mrs. Jones.
Eileen, my dear, have been
watching you. What I see pIeases
me. / have always thought you
could so far. / am convinced now.
intend TO train you TO be one of
my principal helpers"
Train me2"
You. You have brains and
ability. Though" he smiled
they're excellently hidden by the
personality OF a hig-eyed. sweet
hid. -. Here. this has been too
much for you, you look white.
Now run along You'll get a men,
orandum tomorrow morning"
Learning How
CHI was little sorry when she
~ found il on her desk. for il de-
taehed her from Miss Lee. whom
she had grown TO like. She was
detailed. of all places, 10 the filing
department, She said, puzzled,
But. Miss Lee, anybody can file
~ know how"
Miss Lee said pleasantly, 'Mr |
Delevan tells me he is giving you /
special training--he has hts own
methods. | understand l am not /
losing you permanently She /
added, her faded clearcut face /
Kind, Il agree with him that YOU /
aye worth training, Indeed. I'D /
heen, thinking OF suggesting 10 /
yD0 that you take evening COURSES !
u social service al Rand School /
o. Columbia / did that
u was kinder world than she 4
had lately known. al least.
Lewis explained. later, Il am (.
giving you the fashioned train /
ing, experience in each depart Z
ment by turns. In between, you /
VIII be with Miss Lee as a sort Of !
Jaek-of-ail-tradeS. Twice a week I
yoQu so over your problems. 4
technical and personal. with me
or perhaps Burton--acc0rding 10 /
where they most belong. Make \
notes Of the personal problems, !