The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-09-14

astonished clerk found himself jabbing
the point of the instrument into his leg
to make sure he was awake
''Of course. " continued Mr. Powell, /
II shall consider your future service
much more valuable than it has been i'll
the past. Your responsibilities will be
greatly increased. do not expect to
give affairs such close individual atten-
ton hereafter, and commencing at once |
your salary will be double the present |
figure "
Another jab of the eraser, and enc |
hard enough to make him finch, was |
required to make Kendall believe it pos
sible that he could be awake. He man
aged TO nurmur his thanks for his en-
ployer's kindness. and he added pledge |
Of careful attention to whatever bust |
ness might be intrusted to him.
Il have no doubt Of that" said Mr..
Powell assuringly. And then he added
at has given me no little concern to |
observe that an attachment has develop !
ed between you and our stenographer,
Miss Willis. / have believed that it
would interfere with the usefulness of
beth, but under the changed circum-
stances in which | find myself ] can as
sure you that it would greatly please
me if you would marry. In fact, have
been moved TO offer you the increase in
salary that you may be able to do So"
This was too much fer honest and
timid John Kendall. He knew he was
dreaming now, and the prickilg Of the
sharp blade of the eraser could not make
him believe otherwise. How had this
stern, gray, quiet, speculation absorbed
bachelor surnised the secret heretofore
held only by Anna and himself? They
had been so careful at all times when he
was present not TO betray by look, tone
of voice or manner the regard they felt
for each other, fearing that his apparent
ly cold and selfish nature would lead
him to look upon honest love making as
inimical to the pursuits of business.
They had heard him scott about wives
and children as encumbranCeS to bust
ness or professional men; his cynicism
had frequently in their presence been
sharply directed against lovers and love
making, but here he was, sitting calmly
/ at his desk before John Kendall, APP
! parently i'll his right mind, ard in one
moment granting an increase i'll salary
and i'll the next proposing marriage
/ that both had felt certain he would bit
| terly oppose.
"You don't say anything, Kendall.
Does the plan suit you?'' asked the com
posed employer.
IL can't say anything, sir--that is,
1 don't know what to say, sir 1 am
afraid was inattentive and did not hear
you correctly" he stammcred.
"Oh, you heard me all right john
You are not hard of hearing and were
looking directly at me-"
well, then, Mr.. Powell, to tell the
truth, sir, l don't believe l am awake.
| am of the opinion that am dream
ing"
people have very strange dreams
sometimes, Kendall. =" And he paused a
moment, US though recalling one. You
are not in the middle of one now, how
ever. You are awake and about to real
ize the futillment Of your hopes and IA
partial reward fer your faithful, honest
service. If you have any doubts, step
into the inside office and repeat to Miss
Willis the proposition have made you.
L EtliGal-lCC your uCllDtS Will Ntillnl.
The first smile john Kendall ever
saw upon the face Ct the man by when
he had been employed now nearly ten
years was when he turned to follow out
this suggestion. Afterward John recall
ed that III the brief moment occupied by
his stepping across the room and over
the threshold Cf the inner office where
Anna Willis was engaged with her work
he made up his mind that he had the
good fortune to be employed by the
kindest and most cOnsiderate man i'll al
New York. A few minutes later the
happy little stenographer was Of the
same opinion, for John told his story
quickly, and they came into Mr.. Pow
ellis room arm in arm.
Early the Monday morning following,
on June 9, Mr. Powell's footsteps were
turned in direction wholly unfamiliar,
for during his long residence i'll the city
he seldom stepped outside of certain
streets which led him to and from his
] 81, 30, f,, n