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

n am afraid L shall not De able TO
compose letter that will suit you.
There seem to be SO many difficulties
1t is very unusual"
"That is true, and that is why knew
no one but you could help me, Miss Gale.
If lit pleases you it will please me-"
| Miss Gale shook her head, but after
few moments she said, elbow will this
do?'
| "Dear sir
"Wait a moment!" cried Mr.. Denhan;
"that seems rather formal opening,
doesn't it9 How would it read it you
put il Dear friendp"
eff you wish it So" She crossed out
the 'sir" and substituted the word sug-
gested. Then she read the letter:
"DEAR FRIEND have for some time
past been DESTROYS Of taking a partner,
and would be glad If you would con-
slider the question and consent to join
me in this business The business is,
and has been for several years, very
prosperous, and as I shall require no
capital from you | think you will find
my offer very advantageous one. l
Will
ell don't think I would put it quite
that way" said Denham, with some
hesitation. ut reads as if were offer
ing everything, and that my partner
well, you see what I mean"
"It's the TRUTH" said Miss Gale, de-
family.
Better put it on the friendly basis, as
you suggested moment ago."
81 didn't suggest anything, Mr.. Dem
ham. Perhaps it would be better if you
would dictate the letter exactly as you
want it. / knew could not write one
that would please you"
"It does please me, but I'm thinking
of my future partner. You are doing
first rate-better than could do. But
just put it on the friendly basis
A moment later she read:
-"ioin me in this business. make
you this offer entirely from friendly
and not from a financial standpoint, hop
ing that you like me we'll enough to be
associated with me.
Anything else, Mr.. Denham?"
ssNo. think that covers the whole
ground. 1t will look rather short, type
written, won't ii? Perhaps you might
add something to show that l shall be
exceedingly disappointed if my offer is
not accepted"
"No fear" said Miss Gale. "T'll add
that, though. Yours truly or Yours
very truly"
.sYou might end it Your friend"
The rapid click of the typewriter was
heard for a few moments in the next
room and then Miss Gale came out with
the completed letter in her hand.
"shall I have the boy copy it?" she
asked.
ssOh, bless YOU no" answered Mr..
Denham witheevident trepidation.
The young woman said to herself: "He
doesn't want Mr.. Rogers to know, and
no wonder It's a most unbusinesslike
proposal"
Then she said aloud, "Shall you want
me again today?"
"No, Miss Gale, and thank you very
much"
Next morning Miss Gale came into
Mr.. Denham's office with smile on her
face.
s'You madea funny mistake last night,
Mr.. Denham," she said as she took off
her wraps.
ssDid IT. he asked in alarm.
eyes. You sent that letter to my ad-
dress. got it this morning. Iopened
it, for thought it was for me, and that
perhaps you did not need me today. But
l saw at once that you put it in the
wrong envelopes Did you want me to-
day?' ~ 80
It was on bis tongue to say, ST want
you every day. but he merely held out
his hand for the. letter and looked at it
as if he could not account for its having
gone astray.
The next day Miss Gale came late and
she looked frightened. 1t was evident
that Denham was losing his mind. She
put the letter down before him and said:
'sYou addressed that to me the second
time, Mr. Denham."
There was a look Of haggard anxiety
about Mr.. Denham that gave color to
her suspicious. He felt that it was now
| or never.
'Then why don't you answer it, Miss
Gale?" he said gruffly.
She backed away from him.
"Answer it!" she repeated family.
| Certainly. If / got letter twice, !
would answer it"
"What do you mean? she cried, with
her hand on the door knob.
Exactly what the letter says. want
you for my partner. I want to marry
you, and-financial consideration" -
s'Oh," cried Miss Gale in long drawn,
quivering sigh She was doubtless
shocked at the word he had used and
fled to her typewriting room, closing the
door behind her.
Richard Denham paced up and down
the floor for few minutes, then raped
lightly at her door, but there was no re-
Spouse. He put on his hat and went out
into the street. After a long and aim
less walk he f6S1nd himself again at his
1