The Washington times., 1895-07-03

they call Mr.. Burphy a crank. To be
sure, he is an old bachelor and has stuck
so closely to business all his life that il has
made him little gruff and peculiar But
If any one could be with him as | have
been and could see the real tenderness un-
derneath, the good he doesiu quiet way,
and the strict, fine Integrity Of the man,
they'd know, as L do, that he S Que in ten
thousand. On, III look after Miss Vera;
she II be all right, ! ssure you -
SO Vera went to work. Tie next day
after She began, she made some nHistake IN
a dictation, aud Mr.. Burphy spoke sharply
to her. The tears rushed TO her eyes, but
she chOked them back and said quietly: Il
shall try faithfully To do what You wish.
II l make too many mistakes and don't
SUIT, YOU have only TO send me away.
There was something in the independ-
enCe OF the answer that caused him to
think twice about her. He studied her
furtively and found the study interesting
She attended strictly TO business and he
saw that she was intelligent and reliable.
After time Mr. Bradshaw W made an un-
pleasant discovery. He believed Miss Vera
vas In love with her employer. The sigDs
Were 10 him unmistakable 1t was here
that he became jealous.
Besides his own feelings in the matter, he
felt chat he must save a young, innocent
girl from wrecking her happiness on a
her than the ledger on his desk.
So he resolved on bold step He went
to Mr. Burphy and Told him he had reason
To believe little Miss White was i'll love
with him, and for her sake something
ought TO be done 10 cure the infatuation
I Mr. Burphy hooked positively stunned
but he agreed TO do his best in any plan
MIR Bradshaw might suggest
suppose you dictate letter to a young
lady, showing your admiration, etC How
would that do?"
Excellent, excellent" cried Mr. Bur
ply
Accordingly. the next day, after Miss
White cook her dictations, her employer in
a rather embarrassed manner gave her
this
My Dear Miss (yoU can leave the name
bldnkl-Will you ask your mother if |
may have the privilege of calling aC your
| home? | am anXiouSly awaiting a reply.
Faithfully yours, JOSEPH w BURPHY"
Somehow there were SO many mistakes
in the letter she had to make second
draft and that willy old bachelor actually
| saw her fingers tremble.
Il VIII address it myself be said, taking
| it from Der.
Beautiful, - chuckled Bradshaw to
| himself, Seeing how finely his plan worked.
The next day there was another letter TO
| be written TO the same woman.
| II love you it said. II want to make
| you my wife. If you care for me, say that
| may come TO your home tomorrow even
| ing
This time the typewriter made worse
| mistakes than before. and complained Of
feeling i'll. and asked to go home a little
| before the time.
AS she arose to put on her wraps, Mr..
| Burphy Sent Bradshaw out of the room for
| something.
will you please mail these letters for
me?" he said, handing her two. And =
and I wish you'd see if I've addressed them
| right"
She looked at them, then at him in a
| daZed way.
why, they're addressed to me!''
Yes said Burphy, shortly. Number
| right? Please open them and see, too, if
the contents are correct?'
"GOod heavenSi Was it a dismissal
She opened the envelopes with trembling
| fingers and a faint heart.
why, Mr.. BUrphy, she said, cts mis-
take. These are the letters wIote to that
lady"
''No mistake at all. Quite correct" re-
piled that businesslike individual very
brusquely. will you have the Kindness
to give ME my anSwer?'
You may come tomorrow evening, she
said and ran out of the office.
How did it work." asked Mr.. Bradshaw
when he came back
I'm afraid not just as YOU expected
replied the proprietor with his back tC
him.
bradshaw thought so when he got the
wedding cards. ALICE E. IVES.