A CASE OF HONOR

New Zealand Tablet, 31 December 1908, Page 37

A CASE OF HONOR

. Emily Wright summoned to Mr. Davis' private office, had no presentiment of ill; indeed, walking up through the bright spring morning, she had been unusually happy and full of eager plans. She knew that she was doing good work, and her thoughts had run upon the possibility of a promotion, and what .she could do then for her sister and little Donald. So she waited,, cheerful and alert, for Mr. Davis' orders. Three minutes later she walked slowly down the corridor. Dismissed! She never had thought of the possibility of such a thing, not once. One week's more work, and then the old heart-sickening search again. She could have a good recommendation — the best — but even with that to find another situation in July — ' Ethel Carse, pretty and careless and meaning to be kind, looked up as Emily walked back to her desk. 'Have they fired you?' she asked. c It's a shame! They always do lay off the latest comers in July, but they missed it in giving you a walking-ticket. I'd like to tell Mr. Davis so.' ' Oh, no ! ' Emily gasped. 'Oh, I shan't, yovi needn't fear. I'm afraid of my life with him, but I'd like to. If I were you, I wouldn't hurt myself with work this week, that's all.' It was Emily's own first impulse — not, indeed, in retaliation, but from sheer heart-sickness; but presently she pulled herself together. 'I am paid for the week's work. I must give honorable service,' she said to herself sternly. And so, because honorable service meant to her finishing her tasks regardless of time, she stayed beyond her hour several nights that week. ; ;Vr She was tempted to drop things at five o'clock, as Ethel did — Ethel, who was to be kept on. In the mood of discouragement that was upon her, the very dreariness of the office, emptied of all except one or two special workers, oppressed her. Yet she stayed, putting into exquisite order each lay's work. It was Friday, while she was wearily typewriting some specifications, that she was startled by Mr. Davis' voice beside her : 'Miss Wright, what are you doing here?' ' Finishing this work— it came in the last mail,' Emily replied. ' Are, you not to leave Saturday? ' ' Yes,' the girl answered briefly; The question seemed needlessly cruel. 'Yet you are staying overtime?' Emily looked at him gravely. 'My work is here until Saturday night,' she said. .V Mr. Davis' keen gl&nce flashed from her face to her copy/ perfect in each detail. ' Miss Wright,' he said, 'I am going to take the responsibility of asking- you, for the company, to continue, your sei vices with us. We can better afford to lose a little in money than to lose one who so honors her trust— -/ and herself.' Out in tie summer evening, Emily walked home with ;' shining eyesl It was good, oh, so good ! to have the place, but underneath was something "better. She had not failed > herself. ■