Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1915 — HELPING THE BOSS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HELPING THE BOSS

By GEORGE ELMER COBB.

(Copyright, MIL by W. Q. Qfcapmaa.) Nettie Durand aat at her typewriter awaiting dictation. Meanwhile she stole a secret glance more than once at John Ballentyne, office manager for her employer. Mark Lane. She marveled at his quiet, unobtrusive ways. During the past six months he was ever the reticent but uniformly courteous young man on all occasions. It had piqued Nettie somewhat, for she was used to attention, and from the first something in the open, earnest face of her office companion had attracted her. “No life about him. Nettie, that is my opinion,” Elsinore Drury had told her. “He’s stone!” “He has taken me to an entertainment twice,” vouchsafed Nettie, “and I never met a more considerate gentleman.” “No fire, no enthusiasm," differed Elsinore. “Takes things as they go—no initiative.” Somehow Nettie was impressed with the ceremonial dignity of Mr. Ballentyne, yet It was a pleasant contrast to the shallow frivolity of most young men she knew. “I respect him. that I must say," Nettie reflected. Into the office early one morning Elsinore came all in a fluster. She beckoned Nettie into the rear office, out of the bearing of the others. “Oh!” she hurried. “I know I am not doing right in giving away professional secrets, but I think so much of you!” “What now?" challenged Nettie with curiosity. “You know I am stenographer for Mr. Wilson, and that he is a lawyer?” “Yes. Elsinore." “Well, Just a little while ago one of his clients m>m another city comes in and I, of course, overheard all their talk. It was about your employer, Mr. Lane.” “Why, how strange!" “And serious it may turn out for you. dear.” “You startle me, Elsinore!” “WML I’m going to let out a secret. It seems that my employer is the attorney for a Mr. Charles Manville, and

Mr. Manville is the man who advanced the capital for your Mr. Lane to start in business.” “I think I have heard something of that,” murmured Nettie thoughtfully. “Anyhow, your Mr. Lane has been ■talking of paying back Mr. Manville for some time. Mr. Manville has got uneasy. So he came to the city to consult for legal advice. He stated his case to our Mr. Wilson. If your Mr. Lane is going to fail, or is in close quarters, or anything like that, he wants to seize on the business to pay himself before a lot of creditors get ahead of him." “Oh, dear!” fluttered the dismayed Nettie, very pale now. “What did your Mr. Wilson tell him. Elsinore?” “He told him that Mr. Lane was out of town, but that he should come to the office here and sort of hang around and see if there really was anything the matter with the business. Then if he was satisfied that there was no immediate danger of his failing, to go back home and visit Mr. Lane when he returned.” “Oh, thank you, dear!" said Nettie, gratefully, but nervously. “I must see Mr. Ballentyne about this at once.’ Nettie timorously approached , the office manager when Elsinore departed. She led him aside out of the hearing of the others. Then she told him all that her friend Elsinore had revealed to her. * John Ballentyne “woke up.” “Still waters run deep,” and the very expression of his intelligent face told Nettle clearly that in times of stress he F 1 ** 1 the firm reserve anchor of a quick intuition and the mental force to decide quickly. “My dear Miss Durant,” he said quietly and with a faint smile lurking about the corners of his Ups. “this Is indeed valuable and timely information. I think lam justified in telling you the* business affairs here are not as thej should be. We owe some bills Sit due and It la in the power of

Mr. Manville or othes creditors to close us out if they take the alarm.” “Oh, I am so sorry for Mr. Lane!" quavered Nettie, ready to cry. “But I also have every assurance," went on Mr. Ballentyne confidently, “that If we can keep the enemy at bay. and this Mr. Manville particularly, for a day or two, the business is saved.”

“I sincerely hope so.” murmured Nettie fervently. “Under the circumstances I can see only one w%y to avoid trouble —a little harmless deceit. Mr. Manville is selfish enough to take advantage of our unfortunate situation for his own benefit and security. I see no harm in disarming him, as no one will be injured, but all parties concerned benefited by the operation.” “What do you mean, Mr. Ballentyne?” questioned Nettie, wonderingly. And then, in a low, cautious tone, John Ballentyne imparted a plan, almost a plot, to his bright littlb friend. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, she gazed with admiration and reliance upon the “stone man.” “Oh, you are so clever!” she breathed, and then flushed hotly, fearing he would think her too familiar.

About fifteen minutes later Mr. Manville walked into the office. His face was stern, suspicious, prejudiced. “Mr. Lane in?” he inquired. “No, sir,” responded Ballentyne, “He is out of the city for two or three days." “H’m! Came quite a distance to meet him. My train does not go back for an hour or two. Believe I’ll sit down and rest, if you don’t mind.” “Not at all, sir. Morning papers?” and in a cheery, helpful way, John Ballentlne made the dreaded guest comfortable. The latter pretended to read, but in reality kept eyes and ears on the alert, as Ballentyne well knew. Never was a plot to inspire confidence more successful than that of John and his faithful ally. Nettie. The Lane office employees were posted as to the part they were to play. Checks, notes, drafts and currency were flashed freely; over the telephone charming Nettle took all kinds of impossible orders. Everything about the place was brisk and busy. Scarcely able to keep her face straight, Nettie took dictation for two letters. They were addressed to two of the leading business men of another city. They showed a closeness of business interests that fairly staggered the foxy creditor, who finally arose and left the office, saying that he wouuld come to town again in about two weeks.

“It’S all right. Mr. Manville has gone home perfectly satisfied,” announced Elsinore, coming into the office a little later. Mr. Lane returned the following day. He had raised new capital. The business was saved.

“And you saved it!” he spoke to Ballentyne, grasping his hand warmly. “Do not forget how nobly Miss Durand helped,” suggested John. “I don't You ought to be partners, you two,” smiled Mr. Lane. “You work so nicely together.” Nettle blushed red. John was momentarily embarrassed. They looked at one another consciously. They smiled, each with pleasure, when they were alone together.

“How did it all come out?” questioned Elsinore a few days later. And Nettie looked confused, but happily so, as she turned a diamond circlet around on her slim, graceful finger. * i

"This Is Indeed Valusble and Timely Information."