The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-11-07
BLOOMSBURY. PA, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7. 1884, %taS2gHs

Mr.. Hunt. After little pause ne eN
claimed: "Have you heard about
Moore's stenographer p
"Oh, she was to call to-day. Tell
us about her u cried the two girls
'Instead of the visit Moore was so
ardently expecting message boy
came, bringing most touching billet
dour, in the fair stenographer's hand
writing reminding him that it was All
Fools Day, aud that he was one of the
fools. You can imagine his disappoint-
ment."
81 had every reason to be disappoint-
ed, said Sidney. "One does not often
fiud such q girl as this promised to be.
By jove I'll find out who she was, if
Why, Sidney .aid his sister, "what
difference can it make To be sure it
is rather annoying, but then you can
easily find some one for the place.
Mamie, won't you play that nocturne
| heard you practicing to-day ?"
Sidney Immediately forgot every
thing and hastened to the piano. So
slight thing could not worry him,
ard he thought again and again how
sympathetic aud full of pathos was her
rendering of the music
After she had finished, Mr.. Hunt
asked Kate if she would look at the
proof of some pictures he had just re-
ceived, and they went into another
room.
"Mr. Moore" said Mamie, 81 have
learned the accompaniment to the song
you asked for last evening. Would
you like to sing it now ~ and she play
ed the opening chords of "My
Queen
There was that in his voice and
glance as he sang the words, that deep
ened the color in her cheeks and rem
dered uncertain the touch that was
usually so true. ....
Then, as if yielding to an impulse
that could not be longer restrained, he
said
so, Mamie, 1 cannot wait in sus-
pense. The words will come. In you
/ have found my queen"
: The music grew confused and Kate
was heard saying rather loudly : These
are very interesting Mr.. Hunt. wish
that you would tell me the story they
illustrate"
"Mr. Moore" said Mamie, hanging
her head rather guiltily, 81 have con-
fession to make. Win you promise to
forgive me ?"
81 will promise anything if you will
but give me chance y he answered
promptly.
81 am the stenographer !" Then she
added quickly, seeing his incredulous
look
Il did it to punish you for laughing
at me, and my unsophisticated idea OF
editors"
"Indeed ~ Well it may all turn out
far better than l hoped. You know
my heart was set on getting that very
girl and hundred fold more so now.
l wish to offer her different position
that of private secretary and general
manager !! Will you be the power, not
behind the throne but upon it, my
queen p
''lf should ever try to exert any of
the sovereign powers that you suggest
you might remind me that you made
your royal offers on April first y
"Well, then, in plainest English, will
you be the managing editor as far as |
am concerned p
''No, but | may try to be assistant
editor-a little. Indeed, / think | will
be the girl you had set your heart on
l told you the truth when | said / had
perfected myself in stenography, thanks
to papa. He said that we girls must
be able to take care of ourselves if he
couldn't take care of us. You may
talk as fast as you please and l will
give you back every word just as you
said it, with the is crossed and the is
dotted. Try me !"
"I'll take your word for it. III take
your word for everything, even or
April tirst--I say, Hunt Hunt! he
called, and his friend and Kate entered
the room. 81 have the best of the joke
after all. | have secured that stenog
rapher !"
Mr.. Moore and Mamie exchanged
glances of intelligence and the former
said "You have proof of shor
poem in your pocket, sit dowI
with your back to the audience, anC
don't look around, on your honor"
Mamie produced from her pocket
small note book and pencil. "Noy
read" he concluded, and Mr.. Hun
read the brief poem rapidly
Now, Miss Mary Rivers, it's you
turn" and Mamie laghingly read tn
poem aloud from her notes.
Hunt looked at the blushing girl an
his friends excited and happy face an
said, 81 congratulate you I" No on
ever turned his First of April experi
ence to better account.-Pa4Iine 4
| Poe