Joanna Jingle) HAT night Na returned from office to find brother's which she sharad full of St. Valen- tine sentiment, lan had Maude and theat ~Nis8 such H attentl len, her herself free to hersel r business ultivate 1 ied now 1 ged own affairs. Her broth Was wrap up in his business and Amily She . Nance was much one I their too growing / xus losing her ¢ondence, and care of herself, ufly Still In her blac fia white collar and cuffs, ed out a little in the hig fiteplace where the fire was low, and pot wanting the lights sat she put up her hands in a fashion ber childhood and rumpled her brown hair, usually so trim: her sweet, steady gray eyes filled with tears, which she promptly suppressed Belf-pity, she thought, was the last etraw of humiliation! Why should #he be sorry for herself? If the office tried her, why not take a rest? Her gmndmother had, with the vear past feft her a little money. She would resign. Why had she not thought of ft before? Flossie could take her place, and she would travel and find broader interests. Then it.came upon her how much John Bteele had been in her mind, anid she fought it out with herself on the spot. She would not, simply be. ouse ashe was lonely, let herself fall in love with the only attractive man pear her own age whom she saw much aof—and her employer, at that. That was too banal! What would he say when-ghe resigned? Would he care? He was not so foolish! No; he had showed her every courtesy In the of. fice-—~the same courtesy he showed to all women, but never the ttle light aitentions he showed oven to Flossie, fo whom, thet very morning, he had, 100 individuality needed to mentally and take and office dress, with she gireteh chair by the thinking of heavy en entering, tossed a smilie and » roms] as cane would a ball to a kitten, The girl was so soft and pretty--- he could not be blamed. Nancy, would straightway fore she made a was high time, fool of herself. Tt i her. Flushed ping even to and startled, smooth her hair, she went into the hall, where the light burned low. 8he opened the door She did not realize that it was John Steele till he asked, with an attempt if he might sce Miss Nancy Stanton. comes you,” answ deciding he had called ss—he often her and she knew he ime matters under consideration bade him enter, and he followed the sitiing room, where she »d on the l , half blinding her gelf by the sudden glow, pointed to the big alr where she had not stop eRe Stanton, Miss “She wel Hghtly to ghe ered, enough, asked talk bush had some been oy Sood & ody Jive i am manage for me? tie T—no, and ever shall be! Could you to work with me instead of Couldnt you love me a lit. I mean with all your heart, for you're no hallway woman, Nancy! Will you?” She nodded, hoping she was not go- ing to be foolish enough to ery be cause she was so happy. “I think [-could,” she murmured “I think I should like that—even bet ter than--my-