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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY MOHXIXG, MAY 27, 1928. Tho mas Kins.ston ft By EM E ANDLOS USE'E- M- ton stared. But somehow he liked being ordered about by Miss Crampton. He felt the strain relax and even managed a laugh. He did hla breathing exercises faithfully some mild calls- and was contemplating - thenlcs when Mlaa Crampton told him time 1 - was upj On his desk waa white square of napkin, a plate with three sandwiches and a cup of hot tea. Miss Crampton 's desk waa similarly equipped, " Lunch is served," she announced. It seemed to Merton that It was the first food he bad enjoyed In weeks. There was ' more tea In the thermos add when he had ' finished be lighted a clgaret with a deep sigh of content. . He tried for words a phrase to express his surprise and gratitude. been It had been a long time since he had "looked after" In this way by a woman. It was Mils Crampton forestalled him. to . "I'm delighted that my Plan seems have worked," she said smiling. And then at once she waa the cool. Impersonal Miss " Pleas underCrampton as she went on. stand m. Mr. Merton. I hav a very the first time John Merton had an motive in all this. If you go en of hft own. Until bit promotion as you have been going these last weeks had dona his work at a desk In th be you'll break sooner or later. That will general room. Whm there were as bad for me as for you probably worse. tetter to be dictated he puihed a button " xf we can handle the two Jobs successand any one of the four tonographer fully It Is sur to mean promotion for you the summons. Now he waa to have and If I have don my part I tball expect a secretary to aid him with hi larger duties. to share somewhat In the result. I propose told chief hla a week," "We pay thirty we lunch here every day until condi that will inquire-of office "The manager Merton. are normal. It tions to send likely and you any the agencies no trouble to get th from can a or secretary pick you applicants, thing and w save among the girls in the outside office. If time and hav better comseemed of unusually them has any food. We'll make It petent. As a rule I like to promote people kind of training a morale. the our in helps It employ. already table. . uit But yourself." - And on thing Merton settled to consideration of the four more: you know what cam girls who had done his letters before he I'm doing. Don't you 1 to this seat of the mighty. think w could hav He decided on Miss Crampton. She dressed In a stenographer two or three time a quietly; her voice was pleasant; she was an excellent stenographer; she didn't ask for week to help with the attention, Just did her work. Tee, Miss letter and filing T If w are going to win Crampton would do. He lifted the receiver and broke the new the fight we'll hav to to Miss Eggleston. The office manager was oixanize." a dried kernel of a woman who also had It was herself that from long years she was looking after, a poor opinion of her steof trying to make expert clerks and he was only a cog la th wheel of her amnographers out of raw material. She held He sat so bition that Ziegfeld had an easy Job: all he needed was beauty while she bad to look for brain long thinking that he founds Miss Crampton try and find them! But Miss Eggleston sodded approval Into the telephone as she looking at him curilistened to Merton. ously. He tried to be Mis Crampton came In at one. Merton as businesslike aa she. concerning rearranging "Tou'r .gave) Instructions quit the letter die, suggested a new card index right," he said. "W must organize. I'U system for keeping track of small orders and see stenoabout told her to ask for any supplies she might need. She listened with quiet attention and graphic help at one, forand 111 be most a lfttle later Merton had momentarily for the grateful gotten her aa he went through the mall lunches. Of course, which she swiftly opened and arranged for yon must let me pay his reading. my share." At I o'clock he found that he had don II was o stiff aa excellent day's work. On his desk lay about It that Mia the erlsp pile of typed letters dictated early In the afternoon. It was closing time, but Crampton smiled. Mia Crampton waited without trace of ImThings smoothly for th next patience tor him to sign his correspondence. ten Merton Then she took the letter to her own desk days. found that he waa to make them ready for the mall clerk. 111 take ears of these, yon needn't looking forward to lunch hour with th wait." he said without looking bp. a There was no response. Merton swung of anticipation out mail about to find Miss Crampton looking boy. They ' talked of book they across the hills. He said again. "Ton iad read, plays they needn't wait. Miss Crampton. I'll take ear had seen, and In genof thss letters." era! explored each The girl flushed slightly as she turned, other's like and disand for the briefest moment Merton had a over a wide like glimpse of a young woman very different field.' from the remote and efficient Mis CrampOno or twice Merton of office hours. The color in her cheeks, ton tried mor perthe widened eyes still in the spell of a sonal topics, but Miss world outside office walls: these had for th moment transfigured her.Why, she was Crampton avoided dethem with easy skill beautiful! But Instantly the glory had that mad th avoid It was th coolly remote Mis parted. anc hardly perceptCrampton who answered, "I'd rather wait. ible. Tet th ston If you please." - Merton understood that. The girl, he wail was there. What was It, Merton asked thought, was as Interested in her new Job himself, that he had as he was in his. Good stuff. She ws first liked about Miss sure to be a great help. She finished the O, yea. Crampton? letters at halt past five. Merton lingered There was nothing after aha had gone. personal about her It was pleasant to sit In th quiet office contact with the men ' and cast up mental accounts. , . mor she worked for eh Tea, he'd done well and there was did her work like a ahead. Next year he might be sent to Lonman and asked no fadon to buck up the office there. Lucky he vor. Now be wasnt hadn't married. There was Tom Thorp. so certain that this Steady old hack. Was with the company, was a virtu. before Merton and doing well, but he marAni But It wasn't until ried and that finished him. Had a chance ' Merton spoke to his at th San Francisco branch. Wife's dldnt chief old Gannon about more salary for want to go so far away; all her friends to Mia Crampton that he really woke up. The th east. .Tom passed It bp. Now he was older man listened carefully to his recital in a rut and there to stay. Tea, women and Merton warmed up as he went along. played the devil with a man's gam. Aa nnusual pressure of buslneea developed Gannon smiled. "Go slow, young man. Ton sound mor Uke a lover hymning hla ta November. Milton Hughes, the second Amerivtos president who handled the South mistress than a business man discussing can trade, had a misbehaving appendix and salaries and employment policy. I. know th doctor said he would be laid up a month about Mia Crampton. Well give her a raise, at toast after the operation. Merton had to but w wont put her on an assistant mantake ever Hugbee' work. At time he found ager' salary, and what' more, being your himself almost swamped nnder the mas of secretary la the best Job she gets bera." overdetail and he knew he would have been Mertoa Interrupted to protest, but the Mia whelmed bad it not been for Crampton. older man rode him down. aa Eh understood his regular work nearly " Don't misunderstand. I know Just how well as he did and almost without his knowable Mis Crampton la. But she's a woman ing It she began to handle all but the most and a mighty attractive one. Probably she's Important matters aa a regular part of her saving up now to marry some nincompoop day" work. with half her brains. She's a woman, and They were at their desks early and on I wont put a woman In key Job. Toa many evening th light In Merton' offlo cant depend oa 'em. If you think you cant little square of radian oe la th mad get along without Miss Crampton you'd bet. black face of the building long after the ter marry her your If. Probably spoil a ; night watchman had come en duty. good secretary to. mak a second rate wife, He took to cutting down lunch time to but according to you she's got all th virtue ten minute; a dash to the nearest cafeteria any woman, ever possesssd snd mora." for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. The Merton eat looking at hi chief with a eating place was crowded, the food Ganaon thought his startled expression. and finally ha decided he'd be better 60 be kept en at bis off without lunch. blight young man was daunted by bis tirade, but Mertoa had forgotten moat of that. It desk. was th suggestion that he marry Miss Miss Crampton had also cot lunch time Crampton that had overwhelmed him. to a minimum. But ah never went entirely wtthout eating and to all appearance th But Gannon went en mor gently, "Dont we standing th strain better than was worry about your secretary. Tou wont and were Merton. His nerve getting edgy need her more than a month or o mora. Soon a Hugh th and of ne particularly exasperating seta back en the Job you had gone wrong are slated for th London effle and yon morning when everything and over the telephone found hint snappiab won't have to bother about petticoat probgave lems. Cs 'em and toe 'em; that's the ready to quarrel with any one who .. . -wie temtrrer"-ihim haiT way to bajuile- Oiefla-- T she but Mis appeared eurt with Crampton. His brain "Marry her, marry not to notice and be had the grace to feel waa given np to that; It wouldnt function rose he ashamed. At t o'clock wearily. on anything els. I'm going to knock off for half aa He halted outsid his offlo door. What r. eome-atI need said. "Think hour," be was be going to do? Toa oouldn't very to or coffee and a cup of something well rush la on a young woman and say, straighten dii oat." He paused and added. " My dear, they won't give you much ef "Sorry I've been such a bear today." a rais and they wont give you a bigger He was reaching for his overcoat when Job, but m marry you." alias Crampton stopped him. - It's all slush underfoot and beginning to With an effort he pulled himself together and went la. rain," she said. " Don't go out. Just open Mia Crampton' bead waa bent ever a pile the window a moment and do a deep breathf letter and ing exercise. Keep your back turned and' Cool, ten personal, businesslike, ambitious. don't look around until I say you may." - She Bh wasn't thinking about marriage unless apek with brisk authority and Mar. . . what waa It Gannon had said "Probably saving up to marry some nincompoop." His Crampton looked up Just then arose hastily at sight of his haggard tac. . " Mr Merton! " ah exclaimed, and took two steps toward him, Merton stretched out a hand. In another moment he would have had her In hla arms. All the loverlike phrases he had read or heard were oa his lips Miss Crampton didn't take the third step. Instead she turned to th water bottle . and filled a glass. " Tou are overtired. Mr. Mertoa," sh said "Better drink with impersonal, sweetness. this and rest for a while. Th letter can John Merton Thought He Wanted Merely a Secretary; Elizabeth Crampton Believed She 'Wanted Merely a Business Career. Then Old Gannon Threw a 0 forced himself to concentrate en hla work and to give Mis Crampton a cheerful and Impersonal " good night " when sh left. Merton hated to go to th offic next morning. It would be hard to aay good-b- y to Miss Crampton and b was afraid b might mak a fool of himself.. When he did arrive he found Miss Crampton already busy going over matters with Mis Blake, and th morning went by without opportunity to (peak to Miss Crampton alone. Ha knew now what h wanted to aay; he phrased It over and over to be sure It would sound casual and natural At 1 o'clock he would say, "Miss Crampton, you were so ale to m about th luncheons during our rush time. Won't you let me be the host today? " He waa summoning hi courage to deliver the Invitation when Mr. Gannon's secretary telephoned to aay that Mr. Hughes had come in unexpectedly and would Mr. Merton Join him In Mr. Gannon'a office. Th Interview waa a long one. Hughea planned to get to hi deak th next day and needed at one to get In touch with what had happened In hla absence. The chief had In mind a complete reorganization of th two departments In preparation for Morton's move to London, and when 1 o'clock cam he carried hi subordinates oft to his club to lunch and continued the discussion. Merton had only time to dash Into his offic and out again. Mis ad . . wait." Merton drank the water stupidly. H flt very much a though it had been poured over him. A moment more and he'd have made a tool of himself. Late that afternoon when Merton broke the news of Gannon's decision, of which he was careful to give a modified version. Miss Crampton took It easily enough. "It's about what I expected." ah said. " They'll pay me $50 a week for knowing as much and doing more than men they pay twice that. The men will have opportunity to go on a far as their abilities and opportunities will let them, but a woman can go only so far. I was sur that waa Mr. Gannon's policy. If th policy of a good many offices; I mean to find on where It Isn't." Monkey Wrench in the Machinery. bust-nessli- FOR - If f . . m M mm t Mtmmmmm ill nil 1 ' -- a frm '-- will sz , ' . unap-peVzl- . w be-.w- -- her" - rdr. d. stand-offish- "' , ' -- . movd -- m faah-tone- . v ' b her ta fiv minute. I hav a pressing engagement with a friend la th next apartbe back la aa hour and let yoa ment, thank me." ' She whisked out f th room, waa goo before Mertoa, who had leaped from hla chair, could frame on of th question that clamored la his mind. He wa too excited to tn1" clearly. Elizabeth waa this, Eliza-bat- h Job. wasnt that. Elizabeth. Elizabeth-w- hy, At last one day at the Advertising club that extraordinary girl had told him he got new of her. He waa lunching with loved him. Elizabeth that Hughea. ' "See that heavy set man with the eyeHe became aware that he waa paem glasses at th next table? " Hughes whia-pereblindly about th room, knocking against "That's Barton of the South and probably making aa ungodly furniture, Eaau They aay he's a driver aad one of racket He sought th deep .chair before the coming men In our line." the fire and sank Into it Strang h hadat Merton looked with Interest at the maa ' noticed before what a rosy fiam th coal who was Miss Crampton' chief. He was a had. He wa bunding castles la them when competent looking person, but Merton' Ina key clicked la th lock, th door opened, terest In him quickened a thousandfold and weary voice that tried valiantly to when he heard Barton's companion aay: be cheerful called: " Sylvia, where are you? " Got woman how a assistant manager I've resigned my Job, and I'm Just a little of your European department, haven't you? frightened. Come and scold me It will brace How does vlt work?" " ma up Merton atrained hla ear for the reply. Sh stopped abruptly, sensing that Bytvla " Not so good." said Barton. " Sh know was not there. Sh rave a startled Uttla her Job all right and she's better than th and cam to peer over th back of th cry, man that bad It before, but there' no pep big chair. Merton caught her hand. On of these cold, to her. " Elizabeth." be said softly. " I lov yoo, dames. Started In like a world beater, but I lov you, Elizabeth. I've been a blind she's slowed down now. Toa know how tt fool, and I love you." Is. She's probably stuck on some geezer He said it over and ever as though fearwho won't play back. Tou know bow tt la." sh would not understand, and be clung ing " That'a what I've always said," the other to her hand with a grip that hurt th no woman's rood A beyond agreed. She stood still for a long moment, so stM ordinary everyday stuff unless sh' got sh did not seem to breathe. , a reason, outsid th pay envelope. No good Then she said, "John. O, John." when they're on their own. or usually when And h drew her down Into hla arms, woman. Work another for they're working where sh lay like a tired child. man. Tou a with a get best brainy girl After a time they begaa th pleasant who Is a little stuck on the maa aha' workbusiness of, "Do you remember" and mak O she'll how " and th like, with thing ing and, boy! "That Urn whan yoo move! " over th time when they were unliving Suppose Barton's friend was right, and witting lovers. They were still enlarging Mia Crampton wasn't interested In the new on these topic with Interval of eloquent . had that missed she because something Job silence when Mia Lawton cam in, after been an unrealized Inspiration in the old!" discreetly announcing herself by a lively him would halt determined that He nothing tattoo on the door. In his next effort to see Miss .Crampton. Elizabeth disengaged herself from John not an ass been .had he decided that He and the big chair, and aa he arose she led shouldn't. No he reason on to call her. why htm by the hand toward Miss Lawton, " Sylvia," the said shyly, "let m present Toung men called on young women every He' thousand them. J of week In the night Mr. John Merton. He is that Is, we are-w- ell, do It. dear, we're engaged, yoa see." Th latch clicked la response to his ring And th extraordinary Mis Lawton gave d an old himself found and he climbing a masterly, imitation of a person being surstaircase which was by no mean steep prised. Merton started to speak, but checked of his shortness account for to enough aa he realized that thla young lady wa third the reached landing. be as breath th most discreet of meddlers, aad that A door opened at his step, but It was not - never with her consent would Elizabeth Miss Crampton who smiled up at him. aa a bringer of light know ber friend's "I was looking for Miss Crampton." he to a dark place. part stammered. half " I let Mr. Merton in," Mis Lawton men"Do you know, I guessed it." answered tioned after she had kissed Elizabeth, and been why I've wondering the girl. ."And aid with real warmth th natural common" I let him in, and It teems he cam you hadn't called before. Tou are John place. Lawton. am I not. axe 8ylvla you Merton, to carry off my best friend. Sudden person. roommate." Miss Crampton's Isn't he, Elizabeth?" Sh had ushered him Inside as she wa Then she found aa excuse to leave them folhad Merton bewildered th talking and together for what John said was th first lowed mechanically. satisfactory " good night " thsy had ever The lively young person saw that he waa aid to each other and certainly the long- -' beside the chair In a big oomfortably placed est But before th left them, sh had matches, that and clgaret. tiny fireplace don one mor piece of friendly meddling. and ash tray were within reach. Merton was sailing In eight day on a - Please smoke." she said. " It will keep Saturday afternoon and It was arranged think doubtless Tou you from interrupting. that he and Elizabeth would be married the of Elizabeth aa cold, and reserved, and ambinext day at th license bureau to facilitate of adjective other unpleasant tious, and a lot passport matters, have the religious cere-- unpleasant when applied to a woman. She's mony on Saturday at noon, and go from thinks man A sort. alwsy nothing of the the church to the ship. brains who woman has a about these things "Toull be so busy getting last thing her brain Elizabeth got them. and "use don at th office," Elizabeth had said, " that are brains, splendid mother.. from her They chance to ses yoo." I I'll hardly hav but when Mrs. Crampton passed them along know the hours yoa keep. Don't you want with them up she tangled to her daughter me to com back and help out? " a twisted perspective, a point of view that Merton' face brightened, but Mis Law-to- n ail but Mrs. Crampton for waa all right brought him up short Elizabeth. wrong for "No, you don't" sh said. "Thla girl " Mrs. Crampton was a born business Is going to be just as busy aa yoa are, and did. genius. She fell ,ln love, or thought she waa. on quite a Important matter. I hop youll kind be see weli, the you'll with a man realize, Mr. Merton, that while you are prob"Mr. Crampton wa 28 about your age, ably getting an excellent business adviser on was he and quite getting I'd guess and general manager, you've lost forever tin a was god. he he thought nicely; but 'Us 'em and lose your office assistant Elizabeth's mother wanted to keep on with 'em,' a old Gannon say. This woman's wouldnt he married, but her work after they place la fay the home." listen to it. Merton bad that In mind when be had little and a came Elizabeth along, "Then hi last Interview with his president Didn't get his lost grip. later Crampton " By the way. Mr. Gannon," he said, trysome promotion he expected and blew up. to sound casual, "I'm taking my wlf ing with off ran seven be wa When Elizabeth with m when I sail." ealted had who divorce ' Th old maa a good looking pumped hi arm vigorously. away ber alimony. If he'd only died he " Delighted! Delighted! " he exclaimed, Insurance. life some left would at least have Fine! Always Uke to you "Keep steady. Mrs. Crampton As It was, he left nothing. see my associate safely moored. Tou know out been ahs'd But started to work again. when one of the office girl marries we of touch for eight years and It wa a hard give her a present, wish her Joy and fir well feet her on again got etruggl. She Elizabeth her; but when one of the men marrtea we but school, through enough to see him a bonus. Just a minute," give herself. of she did a bit teaching Hs scratched off a sizeable check. mind Elizabeth' Into "She got It firmly "Present thla to Mrs. Merton with my that th woman who depends on a man la and take some days off to compliments, hearthside, a fool; that the domestic, run over to Paris and help her spend tt By woman Is an Inferior animal and the way, who is she?" that independence In the business world Is When Merton told him, Gannon h Tou. ee, to the only way happiness. again. husband her aa minded narrow was Just as " Congratulations! Glad yoa ttete&el to had been. my advice. Remember, I told yoa to marry " Her creed may be an right for aom her." women, but It wa all wrong for Elizabeth. But Merton conldnt resist the tanrptatlaa That girl is naturally domestic. Just look to recall the true version of the advtoa. at this apartment. "Aa I remember It sir, yoa said if I " Now. here' where you come In. When married her I'd probably lose a first rata she became your secretary she did begin to secretary and get a second rat wlf," At first I thought h had Uke business. Mr Gannon never wavered. " Not at aS," had caught on at last and that her mother was be boomed, " What I meant waa shs'd make see ah cam to that But I been right. yoa a first rate a wife a ab did a secretranslating business Into term of some maa tary. Gtv ber my beet remembrance I'm a rather keen person, myself perhaps ' and th check." you've noticed and without Elizabeth It wa lat afternoon when the ship knowing tt I pieced out the whole story. hauled out from her pier and th tog ncaed Ambitious young man afraid that women her down the river. la spite ef th ehUL would gum his gam; girl who thought the Elizabeth aad John kept th deck. They was ambitious and had been tanght that watched the myriM lights bio oa eat to men outsid of business war poison. Nice the toll towers of lower Manhattan, and pair! even thought they eould distinguish th " When shs quit Foxtail Nsvers all particular pattern of light that had been that bright enthusiasm ehe'd had for busiworking home. ness snuffed out I'd guesaed It. She wasn't " their " Look Ilk fairyland." John said. " Aad Interested la Imports or exports; sh was It was our land of romance, waant tt, dear? " Interested In a man's Interest in them. She Elizabeth noggtod her arm closer ta at. had fooled herself Into thinking she was " Tea," she said. " But there war time doing two persons' work to further her own been taught to beHere when I hated It waa shs in when doing reality ambition, waa indethat th only way to bspptn tt to further your. " As ooa as I waa sur of that, I turned pendence, and that to win It I moat keep clear ef men. I ased almost to hate yoa my Inquiring mind to you. At first I thought because yoa made me like yoa so much. you might b ene of those ' use 'em and Aad yoa were afraid ..of me, too, wereqt lose 'em ' kind Uke Gannon ye. I know yoo. dear? Toa thought that a maa get oa all about him and that Elizabeth wa best If be avoided entangling alliance with sam mistake her mother did. tailing woman. Waant It Strang that lov should la love with th wrong man I perked up have begia a fear? " a bit when Elizabeth told me you had asked Th deck wa deserted. Mertoa put his ree4 "Bar tb' dlrmer.-b- ur that &' i m ,uni nia vi:. inn i s ill i i wise to turn yoa down. If you were worth "That's the way love eaght to begin," having. I knew you'd sooner er later show be said. " It's a torrfbl aad beautiful thing signs of Uf. and' the part ef wisdom la to fear tt W " Elizabeth had told me about th London did, antil we learned that the only way to Job she tried to act pleased over having any happiness for as was togcthsr to hapbad such aa able bos, and managed to look last friend; and I piness or to success In th world. W eould aa though she'd loot uie each other, but we war ef no oa to was getting scary. Friend of mine at Fox-- ' anybody or anything If we lost each other." hall A Never told me you were to sell next The lights of the tall tower astern were week. Well. I suppose last minute Dvrag t fsd'ng now. but tt really dldnt matter, for Is better than aene" the r audience waa giving its attention te Mise Lawton stopped short and looked at oftethlng entirely different the mantel docks. (Cesrrtrht: t3Ai "Time's Bp." she sid. "EUsabeta win had been no reply. And once he had tela. phoned that belated Invitation to lunch er dinner. Mia Crampton expressed her appreciation of the courtesy, bat had been vry busy. There wasnt even any one to whom be could talk about her, from whom he could learn how she was (etting en with the new . A aVsW-Jts- r arms, wktr down into hi A -- Interrupted him-- , , f Not at all. Mr.-- MAt- - None of us to indispensable. Tou have been very good to me and I realize that 1 owe a great deal to your willingness to explain the work to m and to let me help. I hop I hav returned value la full, but anyway It was useless for me to learn unlea I can contrive to apply what I hav learned. I have a chance now to go to the Sooth and East " Importing company. They learned omehow that I handled the Backus supply contracts and I'm offered a chance la their European department aa assistant manager. Not much pay to start with, but a real ahaac. It seems on always gets thee opportunities a business witness of the prophet outsid Now the work In hla own country. It waa Mertoa' turn to Interrupt. He was both surprised and hart. "Why didn't you Ull m snout thlsT asked. "It would hav been a etronc talking point with th chief. And, anyway, you might hav told me." be finished rather lamely. Mis Crampton shook her bead. I hesitated to aocept." the said. " because what they would do bar. I wanted to rv been nearly three year with Foxhail Nvra, you know. Lf I had told you and yoa had told Mr.' Gannon be would have thought I was trying to bold him up. ws demanding promotioa oa threat of resigning. He'd never have forgiven me tor that, and I'd prarer not to have him my enemy aa I move en. j - to". e VMr- - w m K- - mim-- 1 waw .aalnat., We are over th big man and Hughes will be back in a week, hi secretary tell me. I'd Ilk to leave at oaeo they are holding th Job open only two day tor my decision. Ill eome la tomorrow and give Miss BlsJts she a the beat ef the extra help we've had full Instructions about everything, and I'd Uke to finish here tomorrow night." Mertoa srms sunk. " I suppose yoa are fight," be said wearily. " m get along. Touve done a splendid Job of work with meyead I owe yoa mor than yoo owe me. Sorry yuv got to leave a suddenly, hot UT1 e all rtatht." tin J chili. Miss Blake exCrampton wasnt there. plained that she had gone out late, leaving word that h would be back at three. himself with the Merton encouraged bethought that Miss Crampton had waitedmencause she wanted to see him, and he tally transferred his luncheon Invitation to dinner. That would be even better. But the conference at the club lasted untu late afternoon and It was nearly ( when Hla heart Merton got downtown again. lifted at light of th familiar square of light that marked hla offic window. He threw epen the door with boyish eagerness. 6b Mla Blake was busy with tbs file. was alone In the'roont?"w, ' Merton slumped In his chair. Already th office seemed lonely. If hs had been alone there It wouldnt have matured so much. It was the alien presence of Miss Blake that marked the difference. Hla eye caught a Utter on the blotter. "Dear Mr. Merton:" be read. "Tou will find everything in order and Miss Blake very competent. She can get me by telephone If anything arises which' necessitate consulting me. Thank you for many kindnesses. Tou have been a splendid teacher. I have Just beard about the London Job. and best wishes. Congratulation "he waa using her first "But, Elizabeth nam for th first time and quite unconsciously. "I cant let you go. I couldn't hav don anything without you. Why, " w Eh lay h'l home-keepin- g r "Sincerely, -- " ExAsnrra CmAKrroH." " Us 'em and lose 'em.- - he thought. Wei) he'd been used and now be waa lost quite. Merton waa booked to sail early In Fa- ruery. He triad to forget himself la the details of his new position and la working out with Gannon and Hushes the reorganisation plana There waa plenty to do, but the fir of enthusiasm that had carried htm ahseA.wttiroxhsJNe vers was Ucking. He realised that be dldnt la the least want to go to London. There would be a kind of finality about placing an eoeaa between ' himself aad Miss Crampton. One day It occurred to him that h waa Ilk Tom Thorpe but with the table turned. He remembered thinking of Tom aa an exempt ef th danger of falling In love. Tom had turned down the Baa Francisco Job because he was married; hs. Merton, was so the verse at turning down the London It promotioa because he waant married. waa a good laugh If yon eould map ace It. a letter to Mua Crampton Hs had as Informally formal a bar own. Thar mak-tnga- ' hr te |