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, . i ! 8 TUB KVBN1N0. WORLD'S FICTION SECTION, SATUItDAY, MARCH II, 1988 I uhclr windows with paper slgnii an nouncing sales. Such a policy was hardly In keeping with their principles and tlio class of customers they drew. "S-ay! I sa-ay, Winters!" began one of the clerks, who had watched Tom's movements with crowing alarm. "Did Mcllet tell you to' Tom swung around abruptly. "Mellet," ho declared with unduo emphasis, "didn't tell me anything. But" He closed his lips grimly. The puz zled salesman looked at him, and a new thought was born In his mind. Certainly Winters had been acting strangely all day. Perhaps old man Hurr himself Tho Impression spread to tho others. AT 5.30, when Mellet returned, the shop was doing a hust ling business, and Tom Win ters was perhaps the busiest of all. Six o'clock came. The shades w .-e drawn down In the windows, the counters were covered, boxes and pa pers cleared away, and the clerks filed out with mumbled good-nights. "Just a minute, Winters." "Yes, Mr. Mellet." "Who authorized that change In the windows? And who gave you per mission to hold a sale?" "Nobody, sir. I did It myself. I happened to go Into tho stock-room for a linen shirt, rhoro has been a sort of new demand for linens. So I Just thought this was a good chance to sill off the old stock." "1 see." That was all. Tom headed for the subway. All the way home he swung from a strap, brooding over the events of the day. He was tired. More, he was de pressed He had made a good start. He had to hand it to himself. Rut what if it didn't bring him the de sired raise? "Then," he told himself grimly, "it'll be worth tho fight Just to know that I've won back my pep, my push, my ambition." At home flose greeted him with a shy kiss. She had on a dainty little frock that belonged somewhere back in their courtship days. " "Lo, Roses!" "Hello, Tom! Tired?" "You just said It! Worked some hard to-day. Something nice to cat? My, but doesn't somebody's sweet heart look lipping!" It was well toward 10 o'clock when Roso suddenly turned fiom 'the piano where sho had been recalling old mel odies. "You know, Tom? That suit of yours looks sort of shabby. You ought to begin now to wear your Sunday suit down to business." "Hut, good Lord! I couldn't afTord another suit right now. Not with tho high price of merchandise. Why. you can't touch a really decent suit under S0,. $30." "Yen, you can. Mrs Hudson next door showed mo a suit her husband Just had made. Cost him f 100. Hut he can't wear it. The coat's too tight across the shoulders." Hand In hand they knocked at their neighbor's apnitment, from which an hour later, having listened to so vera I iccoids, danced a waltz or two, par taken of a glass of root beer, Tom Winters led his wife back, a suit of now clothes over one arm. "Nlco folks, the Iludsons." "Awfully They're Just married ubout three months. Don't you think Alice Is a dear?" "Yep. Like Hudson better, though. Reg'lar fellow. That's a nlco suit, too. Hargaln. I'll say, Roses, bet I look llko a million dollars In It." IT was along during the third week of his self-bestowed Increase that the postcard Idea struck Tom Winters. They had been taking Inventory of their stock, and as back numbers and broken lots were brought to light it suddenly occurred to him that If they only could use some form of advertising, all that back stufT could be made to bring very tine re turns. The store had a fine, active list of customers. To each of these ha would send a postal card purporting to come from a friend. It would run something like UiIb: Say, Old Man: Drop into the Metropolitan Haberdashery Shop to-morrow. They've an inventory tale xchich is not being adver tised. Just bought some stuff myself. Borne real values. Thought 'd let you know. Your friend, TOM. "I'll write the things out by hand, and so give them the personal touch," ho mused as he looked at his trial card. "And I guess It's all right to sign them Tom. Nearly every man has a friend or an acquaintance named Tom,'' Then came another problem. Who would pay for those cards? Mellet would certainly not sanction such an Idea. "I'll order them anyway," ho de cided. The bill won't come up for another month. If the Idea works thoy certainly won't kick. If It doesn't workI guess I'll be kicked." But tho plan worked. Out or a clear sky, so It seemed to Mellet and the other clerks, a veritable mob of shop pers Invaded the store. From .early morning till night things hummed along with such Bpeed that Mellot himself was forced to go behind tho counter. And then J. M. Burr himself trotted In. Ho was puffing from too much walking, but the genial smile that al ways lit his face radiated good cheer. "Hello, Mellet! Just got a card from my friend Tom telling me to drop In here. Could get a few bar gains. Got some ono to wait on met" Mellet took the card from Burr's hand .and read It over. Never a- word did he say about It. "Mr. Winters here will serve you." Tom felt the blood come panndin to his forehead. "COUNTED A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL FROM HIS CARD EARNINGS, PLACED IT WITH THE FOUR TENS AND CAREFULLY RESEALED THE ENVELOPE." "Hold tight!'' he counselled himself fiercely. "Here's your test!" "Yes, sir?" he stepped forward briskly. "Shirts? Certainly. Here are some of the finest linens. Pre-war stock offered at pro-war prices. Just six of them left. You know their brand. Marked to-day at J7. Sold them only last week at $3.93. All six, sir? Hard or soft collars to wear with them? Both? Yes, sir. Hero are tho latest models low and com fortable. No, sir. No reduction. Now stock. Have you seen our socks for sports shoes? Look tlhem over, sir. Not u flaw In the weave. Sir pairs? All right, sir." Moving so swiftly as almost to daze Burr, keeping up a convincing line of chatter, rom pretty soon piled up a considerable mound of merchandise. The bill totalled way past $50. Burr laughed as he drew the money from his pocket. "Tell you what, Mellet," he chaffed, 'U haven't bought as much from mjr Bolf In a long, long time, dot to hand it to you, old man, you're some shark at training salesmen. So long, Mellet!" ON Saturday night, for the fourth time, Tom Winters steamed open his envelope and Inserted $5, Then he looked at the ten still remaining from NEXT SATURDAY'S T By SOPHIE KERR UNDERWOOD Illustrated by WILL B. JOHNSTONE ORDER YOUR EVENING the memorable poker gams. "Time's almost up," he tnunsurod. All during that fifth week be wart about with a sick heart, farcing a spirit of cheerful pep Into his robel tlous soul. At noon boor he ate a lunch, but went around to the differ ent shops to seo whether bo oosM land another job that would pay him more. (Bat they were scarce) and barfl to find, and the salaries, he dlscor- ercd, were fully 110 less than he was then getting. In every place It was tho samo old story. Didn't make any difference 'what your record was be f ore you. had to make good In taa new place.. Andtn one of the nhoin ho nncaua tered Burr. "Hello, Winters!"' "How-do, Mr. Burr!" "What you doing here?" Tom gulped. "Looking over the merchandise and comparing prices," he lied promptly. "Fine Idea. I tell you, Mellet has the right slant on tilings. You can't have faith la your own stuff unless you are atisolutely sure It's tho best there is at the price. Well, see you again.'' Mellet had tho right IdcnJ A blttor smile forced Itself to Tom's lips. What a world this was. People getting credit for the things they didn't do; other people not getting credit for tho things they did do. Some little, old game. Either you beat tho game to It, or the game beat you. There came the night when he put tho lost five-dollar bill Into his pay envelope. Before him lay an empty, dreary week, and at the end of It a confession to Rose. He would liave to tell her. He would have to see tho stricken, disappointed look flash across her face and a quiver take tho soft ness from her Hps. She wouldn't sing to him any more. They would have to forego their Sunday outings and he would fall Into the place of a liar and a deceiver. Yet when the night came, he weak ened. As he passed a pawnshop he fingered his watch. It would bring COMPLETE STORY WIMD WORLD IN ADVANCE pC. Bvt he couMn'lh It wa noat Cta to bkn ' some four yrars before nad Mvsr for a day bud bo been vrron out tt. If he eould only Put off Udikig ber for h woeh or two rhn.- nad been sotnetntiur In tclli' nttltiide bat of trim oo:: "WeU. TVtuters." h lid qutrled. ''all played out? Nil mow nsw totaf "Not on your rwMt llfet ' Ivw hod retorted.. "I'm lust laying u till things establish, Uioitiselve. m this now piano. Wo don't waal u ii-mi on. everyday sale and bargain orQ. like thosa place that or gem wt it biuilnour very- day- fw the Uut tn years. Too. many sates apolj ti.o o u t y. The idea Is to bold ono crnry now and then -with a 'ronaldertrtrte tapis of tlmo In betwwn. Thai's what brings reoults,'' "I see." 'Tou see,'' Tom had thought. "I woudor bow much you really do so." At the subway, entrance be rait a friend, who flashed a benvy and fat bank no to roll; .He could ask him for a loan. He was sure ho'd eel It too. People trusted him. "But what's the use? What' I ho use?" lie stumbled hotneKr.td. "Hello, dear!'' Roso's soft arms twined themselves about Ills ntk as she kissed him gently. TOM reached into his pocl.ot rind extracted his pay envelope. "Haven't tune to take II now. Drop it Into my bag. will you? And hurry up. The Budsoni arc having a little party to-night and we're Invited to supper. Go on, dear, rush Into your things! They're all laid out on the bed." . It was a Jolly assemblage that gath ered In the Hudson homo. Tho little repast was delicious; and. to finish, there ' were home-made cookies and fresh orangeade. Then Budson enjoined quiet upos every one, and led Rose to the plane. "Airs. Winters Is going to give us a tunc or two," he announced. Tom started. There was a time when it was quite natural for Hoso lo perform publicly. But now she gavo so little time to practising. Why. It was only six weeks ago that sho hnd approached their own piano for . the first time In nearly four years! He didn't want her to trip up on anything. Nor did she. Smoothly, with all their old agility, her fingers flew across tho keyboard as the old favorite melo dies sang out Into tho night. Two bright spots of color leaped to her checks; her eyes shone with pleas ure; and as she received the sincere little compliments and plaudits, she flashed Tom a glance of utter happi ness that struck despair Into his heart. How could he tell hep? Kho had been so happy these last weeks. There had liccn born between them some thing tender and fine. Could he tear that apart and consign themselves again to tho prosaic, hopeless plane of living Hint had imprisoned them be fore? "I'll' Just nin Into the kitchen and take a cup of milk,"' whispered nose as they entered their own flat. "Want some, too?" "No, thanks. I'll turn In. I'm tired." In the bedroom, however, he momen tarily awaited a cry from her. Doubt less she would open tho envelope now. How ho dreaded to meet her question ing face! For ten minutes he hesi tated before switching oft the light, and then, leaving It bright, he crept Into bed, where he lay frr another quarter or an hour staring at the cell ing? What could bo detaining her? And then the door opened and sho came Into the room. The opened en velope was In her hand. "Why why oh. Tom! why illdn' you tell me?" Cold apprehension gripped at his heart. He wit up and looked her bravely In the eyes. "Oh, Tom!" The tears- came, and, sobbing convulsively, she sank down on the bed. A whole tomtit of words flew to Tom's Hps and in their efTcrt to gain precedence over one another, he be came quite tongue-tied. "Why you see, dear Roses dear I was trying to save it for the morn ing when you would be able to taks It more calmly. 1 wanted to" "But but Koventy-fjve n weelcl Tom! That's a fortune! I oh I" Tom sat bolt nprlght. "What what am you talking about?" Ho took the envelope out of her hand and read the slip of paper thai accompanied tho bills: Tho Metropolitan Men's Haber dashery Shops wish to thank you for your very fine work. Beginning Monday, you will be in charge of the shop now eon ducted by Mr. Mellet, who has en thusiastically recommended you to succeed him while ho takes charge of our new shop on 59th Street. Your salary will start with $7. a week. JAMKS M. BURR. Thot night Tom Winters lay awake again, and If ever a man wanted to cry for sheer thankfulness It was he. It was a good old world alter all, and the man who fought his game bravely, squarely, ceaselessly, was bound to win! Copyrltlit. All ilishtt rrvfd, Printed by arrnsinaiit with MttreMltin Newipasr Syuilt, Nw Twtt,