Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-01-29
9gsal1 H SYLVIA TAYLOR muv4*,..s
CHAPTER L

you wanted 10 see me, MI. Mui-
ford?"
The man surveyed the slender fig
ure before him.
cts like this, JOAN" he said de-
cisively, "I'll have to let you CO."
Joan Leland stared at him in as
constituent. "You mean I'm fred?"
Milford shrugged. 'That's il"
''But why? What have I done?"
He picked up a sheaf of papers
and reached for the telephone.
81 don't care to discuss it. You'll
receive your next two weeks salary,
of course, but you need not finish
out the month.
"You mean this is my last day."
"Yes! That's all, Joan!"
The late October sunshine flowed
in pale golden streams across the
busy streets of San Francisco as
Joan left the office for the apart
ment she shared with her sister.
Fired! There was something almost
sinister about this abrupt dismissal.
After two years on the job!
'Thank heaven, Sybil has job!"
Joan thought.
The apartment boasted fireplace
and long foor-length windows. 1t
was part of one of the old mansions
for which San Francisco is famous.
A regal building that had housed
one of the great families of the city,
now cast off by their grandchildren
and subdivided into studio apart
ments. True, there was seldom
enough heat and the cooking facil-
tiles were inadequate, but the old
house reflected the charm and gra-
ciousness of the past.
Joan glanced lovingly about the
room. The girls had used their fur
niture left to them by their par
ents. 1t was heavy, and rather old
fashioned, but it suited the high
ceilinged room.
A voice from the bedroom hailed
her. "Joan? That you?"
"Why, Syb! What are you doing
home so early? thought the beauty
shop was staying open until seven
this month"
Sybil appeared in the doorway
clad in dressing gown and slippers,
cigarette in hand. Her blonde hair
curled meticulously; her blue eyes
were a trif1e hard. The two girls
seemed to have little in common in
appearance or temperament. Joan,
brunette, twenty, restless, impul-
sive. Sybil, seven years older, gold
en-haired, inclined to caution, espe-
cially where men were concerned.
Sybil had been married and di-
vorced when she was twenty-one.
Since then she had been determined
to save Joan from making the same
mistake. "Never trust any man"
was SYPHILIS motto, but Joan did not
take it too seriously, suspecting that
her sisters cynicism was covering
broken heart.
"What day!" Sybil said, dreari-
ly throwing herself upon the couch.
II have some news for you, Sis"
81 have something to tell you,
too" Joan said grinly. GIVE lost
my job! Mr.. Milford gave me two
weeks salary and told me not to
come back!"
sybil sat up wide-eyed. 'oh,
Joan! MOI"
''He wouldn't even give me a rea-
son." Joan continued heatedly. 81
can't understand it. I'm sure there
isn't anything wrong with my work.
There's something very strange
about this, Syb Mr.. milford seemed
positively anxious to get rid of me"
"But, JOAN" Sybil interrupted, Il
lost my job today tool"
The girls stared at each other in
alarm.
''The beauty shop is closing"
Sybil said, breaking the silence.
''This is my last week"
s'Well, of course we'll find some
thing else," joan said, but her voice
carried no conviction. AFTER all,
we're both experienced. I'm sure
Mr.. Milford will give me refer
ence."
"Jobs aren't easy to get ;"
Don't be a pessimist, darling!'
Joan advised.
She tied a colored apron around
her waist and went into the kitchen.
'There's nothing to worry about
tonight. We've got enough money in
our account to last almost month. "
SYPHILIS blue eyes were troubled.
Joan, that's just it! l checked that
money out yesterday to pay for a
new coat. | thought we didn't need
it and l was going to pay it back a
little each month. There's not a
cent left in that account"
Night had fallen with sudden
ness which filled the apartment with
strange new silence.
How much money have you in
your purse?" Joan inquired, frown-
ing.
1.-TWO or three dollars And your"
81 have this check from Mr.. Null
ford. That will pay the rent for
another month"
Sybil shivered and drew her quilt
ed satin robe closer. What are we
going to do them"
"You couldn't return the coat?"
mo. It's been altered"
"Tn start looking tomorrow"
Joan said resolutely. "Mr. Milford S
usually at the store until late. I'm