The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-18

because her light and nimble fingers
played the business sonata Of one note on
his Office typewriter. Miss Gale was
pretty Of course-all typewriter girls are
and it was generally understood in the
Office that she belonged to good family
who had come down in the world. Her
somewhat independent air deepened this
conviction and kept the clerks at dis
lance. She was sensible girl, who re-
allied that the typewriter paid better
than the piano, and accordingly turned
the expertness of her white fingers to the
former instrument Richard Denham
sat down upon a park bench. "Why
not?' he asked himself. There was no
reason against it except that he had not
the courage. Nevertheless he formed
desperate resolution.
Next day business went on as usual.
Letters were answered and the time ar
rived when Miss Gale came into see If he
had any further commands that day.
Denham hesitated. He felt vaguely that
business Office was not the proper place
for proposal, yet he knew that he would
be at a disadvantage anywhere else. In
the first place, he had no plausible ex-
cuse for calling upon the young woman
at home, and in the second place, he
knew if he once got there he would be
stricken dumb. It must either be at his
office or nowhere.
""Sit down moment, Miss Gale" he
said at last; II wanted to consult you
about a matter-about business mat
ter"
Miss Gale seated herself and automat-
ically placed on her knee the shorthand
writing pad, ready to take down his in
structions. She looked up at him ex-
pectantly. Denham, in an embarrassed
manner, ran his fingers through his hair.
81 am thinking" he began, "of taking
partner. The business is very pros
porous now. In fact it has been for
some time"
"Yes?" said Miss Gale interrogatively.
eyes. I think should have part
ner. It is about that wanted to speak
to you"
"Don't you think it would be better to
consult with Mr.. Rogers? He knows
more about business than I. But per-
haps it is Mr.. Rogers who is to be the
partner
mo, it is not Rogers. Rogers is a
good man, butt is not Rogers"
s'Then think in an important matter
like this Mr.. Rogers, or some one who
knows the business as thoroughly as he
does, would be able to give advice that
would be of some value"
81 don't want advice exactly. have
made up my mind to have partner, if
the partner is willing"
Denham mopped his brow. It was
going to be even more difficult than he
had anticipated.
Els it then question of the capital
the partner is to bring IMP" asked Miss
Gale, anxious to help him.
ssNo, no. I don't wish any capital 1
have enough for both. And the business
is very prosperous, Miss Gale-and-
and has been.
The young woman raised her eyebrows
in surprise.
ssYou surely don't intend to share the
profits with partner who brings no
capital into the business?"
"Yes-yes, do. You see, as said, l
have no need for more capital"
sob, if that is the case, think you
should consult Mr.. Rogers before you
commit yourself"
"But Rogers wouldn't understand.
.'I'm afraid don't understand either.
It seems to me a foolish thing to do
that is, if you want my advice"
ssOh, yes, want it. But it isn't as
foolish as you think. I should have had
partner long ago. That is where l
made the mistake. I've made up my
mind on that"
ssThen don't see that can be of any
use if your mind is already made up"
"Oh, yes. you can. I'm little afraid
that my offer may not be accepted"
SIT is sure to be if the man has any
sense. No fear of such an offer being
refused. Offers like that are not to be
had every day. It will be accepted"
sDo you really think so, Miss Gale? /
am glad that is your opinion. Now what
want to consult you about is the form
of the offer. I would like to put it
well-delicately you know, SO that it
would not be refused nor give oGense."
81 see. You want me to write letter
to hin?'
Exactly, exactly cried Denham
with some relief. He had not thought
of sending letter before. Now he won
dered why he had not thought Of it. 1t
was SO evidently the best way out of a
situation that was extremely disconcert7
ing.
"Have you spoken to him about it?
'sTo him? What him?"
"To your future partner about the pro-
posal?"
.sNo, no. Oh, no. That isl have
spoken to nobody but you"
Sand you are determined not to speak
to Mr.. Rogers before you writer"
Certainly not. It's none of Rogers
business"
"Oh, very WELL" said Miss Gale short
ly, bending over her writing pad.
It was evident that her opinion of Den
hams wisdom was steadily lowering.
C,-1do,,Jy, che Ioolya9 I'M