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Newspaper Page Text
mr9 & -?Enrr' v "TW??SS , "A RAW DEAL" By Walter Joseph Delaney. '(Copyright by W. G. Chapman.) "Square as a die and honest as a Quaker," was the reputation that Jarvis Mercer had won in Lindgrove after- sixty days' business establish ment in the real estate and mort gage line. "And good as gold," was the ardent and sincere addendum of his office secretary, Nellie Ward, but she said it to herself, as she glanced timidly v. J "Ifs a Raw Deal, Sharp," Spoke One of the Men. at her employer, and blushed self consciously. Her true womanly heart was full of gratitude towards the shy, reticent man who had started her in business life. She needed work sadly when she applied for a position a grade better than clerking in the village dry goods store. Nellie had an aged aunt to support, and when Mr. Mer cer offered her nearly double her former salary she felt as though rare opulence had become her portion. Mr. Mercer had shown her unusual indulgence. He had been patient in teaching her how to operate the typewriter. He had set her easy and pleasant tasks. From the first he had placed entire confidence in her, and this pleased her greatly. In fact, at the end of 'the first month she at tended to bank and other business when he was absent. Her employer arose and came over to where she was busy at her desk. She felt her pulses quicken and was angry at herself for the emotion. "I am going away for two weeks, Miss Ward," he said in his quiet, gen tle way. Her tell-tale heart informed her that she would miss him. She dropped her glance from those kind ly eyes of his. "You will find all necessary me moranda here," he continued, placing a paekage before Nellie. She noticed that the bank book was included, containing some checks of a large amount. Adding to this the large cash balances usually carried, and the fact that she had au thority to sign checks during the ab sence of her employer, a sudden wave of emotion overcame Nellie. "Oh, sir," she spoke impetuously, "how greatly you trust me!" "And how greatly you appreciate it, Miss Ward," he returned with a quick smile. "Yoii have developed into a splendid little business woman. I donlt know how I could get along that is, you have been so useful and willing." He turned away shyly, hke a great schoolboy making a blunder. The mutual embarrassment, his tacit rec ognition of her harmonious position only seemed to increase her growing regard. "By the way," he went on, after a moment or two of consultation of some papers, "here is something par ticular. It is a power of attorney au thorizing you. to act for me in the k2ZS&!s2i& ftliiiJrjlji