Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-11-24

'If you wish 1t so. " She crossed
out the "sir" end substituted the word
suggested. Then she read the letter:
"Dear friend, I have for some time
past been desirous of taking a partner,
and would be glad 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 a very advantageous one. 1
will.
"T-I don't think I would put it
quite that way said Denham, with
some hesitation. "It reads as if l
we're offering 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..
Denham. Perhaps it would be better
if YOU would dictate the letter exactly
AS Won want it. I knew l could not
write one that would please you.
"It does please me, but I'm think
ing 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 said:
"-- join me in this business.
I make you this offer entirely from
friendly, and not from financial,
standpoint, hoping that you like me
well enough to be associated withme.
Anything else, Mr.. Denham?'
"No; / think that covers the whole
ground. 1t will look rather short
typewriter, won't it? Perhaps you
might add something to show that I
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"
'You 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
ont with the completed letter in her
hand.
"Shall 1 have the boy copy it?" she
asked
ooh, bless you, no!' answered Mr..
Denham, with evident trepidation.
The young woman said to herself:
"He doesn't want Mr.. Rogers to know,
and no wonder. It was a most un-
business-like proposal.
Then she said aloud: "5hall you
want me again to-day?'
"No, Miss Gale and thank you very
much.
Next morning Miss Gale came into
Mr.. Denham's office with u smile on
her face
"You made a funny mistake last
night, Mr.. Denham, she said, 40 she
took off her wraps.
"Did -" he asked, in alarm.
"Yes. You sent that letter to my
address. got it this morning !
opened it, for thought it was for me,
aud that perhaps you did not need me
to-day. But | saw at once that YOU
put it in the wrong envelope. Did
you want me to-day?"
1t was on his tongue to say, 81 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 in late
and she looked frightened. 1t was ev-
ident that Denham was losing his
mind. She put the letter down before
him and said:
"You addressed that to me the sec
ond time, Mr.. Denham."
There was a look of haggard anxiety
about 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, grufiy.
She backed away from him.
"Answer it?" she repeated family.
"Certainly. If 1 got letter two.
I would answer il. -
"What do you mean:' she crief,
with her hand on the doorknob.
Exactly what the letter says. I
want you for my partner I want to
marry you, 'and-fnancial considera-
tions-"
"Ohl" cried Miss Gale, in a long
drawn, quivering sigh. She was doubt
less shocked at the word he had used !
and fed to her typewriting room, clos
ing the door behind her
Richard Denham paced up and down |
the floor for few moments, then
raped lightly at her door, but there
was no response. He put on his hat /
and then went out into the street. /
After a long and aimless walk he again /
found himself at his place of business.
When he went in Rogers said to him
"NIiss Gale has left, sir.
"Has she?"
fyas and she has given notice. Saws 1