Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-05

man replied, but he does not usually
see any one at this hour. Mr.. Stacey is
in his study, ina am
Still l think he will see me. = said
Mary. eagerly. ''if you will give him
this card.
walk this way. ma am. said the
man. taking the card between his finger
and thumb in the peculiar manner of a
well trained servant.
He led the way down ii broad tagged
pathway which lei TO the house. 1t was
covered by kind of veranda, and on
either side charming garden spread
until bounded by the old wall. 1t was
a charming garden, rich in ancient,
mossy turf and gay with many flowers.
All manner of creepers intwined them
selves about the pillars which supported
the shelterin2 roof overhead. and great
hydrangeas bloomed at the hases of
them.
i The house was long and low, had
long windows opening like doors and a
wide veranda running Its entire length.
This veranda was paved with brilliant
colored tiles, ON which were flung here
and there rich looking rugs. Huge easy
chairs. wicker tables and "A hammock
made pleasant lounge. and there were
Towering plants everywhere.
''Will you take Il seat here, ma am p
said the man. indicating large chair.
Il will inquire if Mr.. Stacey will see
you.
Mary sat down. and ne disappeared
into the house. She sat drinking in the
pleasant scene. doubly pleasant after
the arid stretches of Bloomsbury brick
and mortar. to which she was accus-
toned. To her it seemed like sylvan
retreat far. far away from the rush and
turmoil of cities where strife lives. She
could hear her first acquaintance, the
servant, speaking and man S tones
answering:
''All right. I'll come ont - said the
mans voice.
The next moment tall man in light
gray clothing came out hy the window
Mary was in Alan Stacey's presence.
Mrs. Conway" he said, looking at
the card in his hand and then at her.
Mary sprang TO her feet. Yes am
Mrs. Conway. she said tremulously.
'Messrs. Bloomingby thought that
should suit you.
''As typist =
"And stenographer. she added
quickly.
pray sit down. said Alan Stacey
kindly and himself pulled chair near
enough to talk with ease. What is
your speed az shorthand writer
"a hundred and twenty"
"Good! 1ou look intelligent, which
is more to the point, Have you been
with any author before?''
mo. answered Mary; 81 have been
with solicitor and that, of course,
was work needing great care and pre-
cisiOn"
''Ah. yes! And why did you leave
him?'
Il did not leave him, - she replied.
unfortunately for me, he died
81 see. Do you think you would like
my kind of work.
Eyes, said she promptly.
Il am not very easy to work with.
I'm as crochetty as most other literary
men," Mr.. Stacey said. Il have Just
got rid of Il man, an excellent fellow,
for no reason than that he sat on the
edge of his chair and waited. | would
have forgiven him many things, but
his waiting became oppressive. 1t killed
every idea | had. Before that | had
young lady. She knew Shakespeare b5
heart and could quote Xenophon, hut
she would mend my copy as she went
on
"Oh. how dared she?' Mary burst
out. Mr.. Stacey looked at her with
vague sense of amusement. Il assure
you, Miss-well, never mind her name;
it is immaterial, but Miss Blank we
will call her-thought very small pota-
toes of me. | can't write by hand.
I've got writer's cramp, and | have al
ways ii terrible lot of work in hand. If
l had gone on with Miss Blank. l
should have been as dead as doornail
by this time. She could not do my
work without ironing it out as she
went diouS, 81 tDdt EVERY NSSliSe VI
style and individuality was eliminated
completely.
Mary gave little gasp. But L
thought she took down what you die
tated, she said almost breathlessly.
Eyes, but if she saw what she thought
was an error she WAS always kind
enough to mend it for me, >" said Alan
Stacey, smiling at the remembrance.
"She knew just little too muCh for
me- She must have been uveTeducated
or something. Ny last helper had, on
the contrary, no ideas. He had note
hook and a sharp pointed lead pencil.
When | was in form, he was excellent.
When | had to get a certain amount of
copy turned out by certain time and
hadn' so much as the ghost of an idea
in my head he used to sit on the edge
of chair waiting till did get an idea.
If he would have read the newspaper,
gone to sleep, walked about the garden;
if he would have yawned even, should
not have minded, but he never did. He
said once it was all in the days work
whether he worked or waited So, when
couldn' work. be waited had 10 get
rid of him. [ found him an excellent
billet and swore | would never have an
other helper of any kind. Then my hand
came in and said No; I'm hanged if |
you shall use me. IM delicate. SO | |
sent to Bloomingby So now, Mrs. Cos
way, you see what kind of man am
to deal with-nervous, irritable, almost
eccentric. i"
81 am not afraid, said Mary, smil-
ing. This man was wholly delightful |