The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-04
TYPE WRITTEN.

for its skinny throat to throttle, and vet
dreBding all the while the coming of the
time when it would gain the mastery and
throttle him-when such man is told that
he is rich it might be imagined he would
receive the announcement with hilarty.
When Richard DenEam realized that he
was wealthy he became even more sobered
than usual and drew long breath as if he
had been running a race and had won it.
When Mr.. Denham left his Office and
went out into the street everything had an
unusual appearance to him. He walked
along unheeding the direction. He looked
AT the fine residences and realized that he
might have Il fine residence if he wanted II.
AS he was walking through the park ana
away from the busy streets he took on us
hat and ran his fingers through his grizzIed
hair, looking at his hand when he had done
so as If the gray, like wet paint. had come
off. He thought of a girl lie knew once.
who perhaps would have married MN II
had asked her, as he was tempted TO. But
that had always been the mistake OF the
Dephams. They had all married young
except himself 20 sunk deeper INTO the
mire of poverty. pressed down by rapidly
increasing progeny.
The girl had married baker, he remem-
bered. Yes. that was a long time ago.
called him an old man. Suddenly another
girl arose before his mental visinn-a mod
pru pirl-yery different, indeed, TO the o
who married the baker. She was the only
woman in he world with whom he was on
speaking terms, and he knew her merely
because her light and nimble fingers played
the business sonata OF one note on his
Office typewriter.
Miss Gale was pretty, of cOurse-all
typewrter girls are-and it was gener-
ally understood in the office that she be-
logged to good family who had come
down IN the world. Her somewhat indie
pendent air deepened this conviction and
kept tn clerks at a distance. She was
sensible girl, who realized that the type
writer paid better than the piano, and ac-
cordngly turned the eXpertness Of her
white fingers TO the former instrument
Richard Denbam sat down upon a park
bench. why not" he asked himself.
There was no reason against 1t except shat
he feli lie had not the courage. Neverthe-
less he formed deS crate resolution.
Next day business went on as usual.
Letters we're answered, and the time ar
rived when MisS Gale came in 10 see t he
had any fur her commands thal day. Den
ham hesi;a ed. He felt vaguely that
business office was not the proper place for
8 proposal; yet he knew he would be at a
disadvantage anywhere else. In the first
ing upon the young woman at home, and
in the second place, he knew if be once got
there he would be stricken dumb. 1t must
either be at his Office or nowhere.
sit down a moment. Miss Gales" he
said at last; Il want to consult You about
a malter-aUOut a business matter.
Miss Gale seated herself. and antomati
cally placed on her knee the shorthand
writing pad ready 10 take down his IL
structiOns. She Looked up at him expect
antlv. Denham, in al embarrassed man.
ner ran his fingers through his hair..
Il am thinking" he began, ''of taking
partner. The business is very prosperous
now. In fact. it has been so for some
time"
"Yes?" said Miss Gale. interrogatively.
Yes. I think should have a partner.
y is bout So. wanted to speak to you
Don't you think it would be better to
consult with Mr.. Rogers? He knows
more about business than l. But perhaps
il is to be Mr. Rogers who is to be tile
partner?"
NO. 1t is not Rogers. Rogers is good
man Butt is not Rogers"
Then | think in an important matter
Ike this MI Rogers, or some one who
knows the business as thoroughly as he
does, would be able 10 give you advice that
would be Of some value
81 don't want adVice exactly. l have
partner Is willing"
Drnham mopped his brow. 1t was 60
ing to be even more difficult than he had
anticipated.
SIS it. then, a question. of the capital
tie mariner is TO bring IN" asked Miss
Gale. anxious to help him.
mo no. | don't WISH any capital. i
have enough for both. And the business
is very prosperous, Miss Gale-and-and
has been"
The Young woman raised her eyebrows
in surprise.
You surely don't intend to share the
profits with partner who brings no capl-
Ia into the business
"YeS-vrs, | d.. You see, as L said, /
have no need for more capital"
"Oh, if that is the case think you should.
consult Nj. Rogers before you commit
yourself"
"Bui Rogers wouldn't understand"
Pm afraid [ don't understand, either
Il seems to ME foolish thing to do-tnat
is, if YOU want my ADVICE
ION, yes, | want it. But ii isn't as fool
isl. AS YOU think | should have had
partner long ago. That Is where | made
the IN stake. I've made UP my mind ON
that"
"Tben don't see that 1 can be of any
use-if your mind is already made nv"
%. yes, you can. I'm little afraid
that my Uner may not De dcctpteu.
at is sure to. be if the man has any
sense. No fear of such an offer being re-
fused. Offers like that are not to be had
every day. 1t will be accepted.
"Do you really think so Miss Gale? l
am glad that is your opinion. Now, whar
/ wanted to consult you about is the form
Of the offer. l would like to put it we'll
delicately, you know, so that 1t would not
be refused or give offense."
81 see. You want me TO write letter to
him ?"
Exactly. exactly" cried Denham with
some relief. he lad no thought OF send
ing a letter before. Now he wondered
whv he had not thought of it. 1t was so
evidently the best way out of situation
that was extremely dlsconcertng.
"Have you spoken to lin about it?"
ITO bim What him? ?"
ITO your future partner about the pro-
posal."
"No, no. Oh. no That isl have spoken
TO nobody but you"
Sand you are determined not to speak
to Mr. Rogers before you write?"
Certainly not It's none of Rogers
business"
"Oh. very WELL" said Miss Gale shortly,
bending over her writing pad.
1t was evident that her opinion Of Den
hams wisdom was steadily lowering.
SnddenIv ehe Looked M.