The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-02-28

when Jack, the diminutive office boy,
brought Miss Maidmont very cor
rect visiting card bearing the name of
''Mr. Arthur Ardmore.
Marion experienced quickening of
her pulses.
This was the other applicant.
"Show him in she said, curtly, to
grinning Jack
Jack knew what was going on, of
course.
He always knew everything that
transpired, or was about TO transpire
i'll the Office, though how he found
things out as he did was a matter of
marvel to Miss Maidmont.
The grin vanished from the young
autocrat's countenance as he sedately
pulled aside the portiere which screened
the proprietor's private Office from the
waiting-room in front, and beckoned
to Mr.. Ardmore
Miss Maidmont looked up interest
edly, and met the gaze of fine-look-
ing, well-dressed young man, of say
twenty-five years of age.
Then as she noticed an astonished
expression grow in his handsome, dark
-eyes, the popularity of the whole pro-
ceeding occurred to her, and she
blushed vividly.
is Mr.. Maidmont in?" queried the
young man.
Jack chuckled audibly, and the
sound revived Miss Maidmont
THAT will do, Jack; you may go
now, " she said severely, and the culprit
retired.
pray be seated, Mr.. Ardmore, a." she
said, turning to her caller with dig
nifed gesture. "There is no Mr..
Maidmont," she continued. 'I am
the proprietor of this agency, and 1
am Miss Maidmont."
''Ah, indeed !" said the young fell
low politely, but Marion imagined she
saw CLEAN of amusement quiver for
a moment in his eyes, which caused
her to become most severe and frigid
in her manner.
''You are desirous of obtaining
situation as amanuensis?" she inquired
haughtily.
''That was my intention in calling"
replied Mr.. Ardmore, demurely.
You have had experience ?"-Miss
Maidmont was gaining confidence.
eyes, three years with Gumbo &
Co., who are my references.
'Mr. Ardmore, you will understand
that l shall require something more
than a mere correspondent. 1 really
wish someone to fill the position of
private secretary, and did not feel as
though | could get along with a girl,
don't you understand" Miss Maid
mont smiled confidingly as she finished
her little explanation,
Mr.. Ardmore returned the smile
with very admiring glance, and in
wardly decided that Miss Maidmont
would make most charming "boss. "
"And the salary?" he suggested.
"What would you consider proper
remuneration for the services 1 re-
quire?' Marion felt trihe anxious.
The "Favorite Shopping Agency"
could not afford to pay fancy prices,
even for very fascinating young
man, with eloquent eyes and a silky
mustache.
Mr.. Ardmore mused moment.
''Say twenty-five a week." he said at
length.
Miss Maidmont breathed more free
ly; that was where she had placed her
figure.
Every we'll, Mr.. Ardmore suppose
we call the matter settled provided
your references prove satisfactory.
Can you come prepared to go to work
tomorrow morning?"
''At what hour, ma'am?"
Marion looked up quickly to see if
her new typewriter was laughing at
her, but his face was as grave as an
owls.
mine o'clock. close at five. You
will have an hour for luncheon, and
Saturday afternoons
81 will be on hand, Miss Maidmont
l bid you good evening"" and the
young fellow courteously bowed him
self ont.
sis he married or single?" asked
Lillian Lefebre, when she called to see
Marion and inspect the new type
writer.
Il never asked him, " stammered
Marion with sudden sinking of her
heart. ''Single, suppose"
Lillian laughed provokingly.
'You suppose, then you're not at
all sure of it. He looks like a mar
ried man TO me, but of course you
don't care, do you?"
Marion decided that Lillian could be
very disagreeable when she choose.
but she did not understand why she |
felt such an interest in Mr. Ardmore's /.
affairs, though she experienced a dis
tinct feeling of relief when Jack casu-
ally informed her that Mr.. Ardmore |
was a bachelor.
One morning she found a big bunch /
of roses ON her desk when she arrived. /
Somehow she was unaccountablv .
pleased, for she guessed Immediately .
who had placed them there
"Extrayagant fellow" she thought
twenty-five dollars week won't al
low of buying many roses at this sea.
son of the year.
The private secretary soon made
invaluable by the active inter
est he took in the business. He did
fully half of the shopping, besides con.
Quoting the correspondence, and as
efGfinpr tuffh tha NJ ~