The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-06
WILHELMINA.
TFrom the Boston Post I

IErom the Boston Post.
Wanted-In a publishing house,
Well educated woman; must be over 80
years of age
isn't it mean. I don't seem to fit in
anywhere. Young girls. and old women
are in demand, but a girl of % is Meth
er young nor old; a drug in the mar
ket!' Wilhelmina Thurston looked dis
gusted.
You would just fit in there, WILL"
said her sister, refiectively.
Wilhelmina went to the mirror and
took the pins from her luxuriant hair
which was rolled back loosely from her
head. She parted the hair down the
middle and drew it back plain, braiding
it and dressing it low. 1t was unbe-
coming, for her rather severe type of
beauty was rendered stern by the
change.
I have made up my mind" said
Wilhelmina, going to the closest and
taking therefrom her darkest gown a
dull gray, Ito apply for that position.
With a stiff collar and color to
brighten me up, 1 shall look antiquated
enough to escape detection. 1t will in
Jure no one but myself, and 1 want
work badly enough to add eight years
to my age. 1 shall claim to be 81
Alice Thurston laughed. You are
desperate. Will, and no wonder; but 1
fear one lie will not suffice; you are not
an adept in deceiving.''
You wait" was the answer.
Sidney Spencer sat in his private Of
a pile of manuscript at his elbow. Out
side in the main office the clerks nudged
each other and Uttered, as young men
will when the proprietor is out of sight.
Another Anticipated femalei" whisp-
cred John StanWOOd to his neighbor, as
a light step on the stair was heard. a
moment later Wilhelmina was ushered
into Spencer'S office.
How old are you?" was the first
query.
"Thirty-one." she said, bravely.
what eXperience?''
Ten years in newspaper office"
This was true, for while a mere child
she had assisted her father on the
Daily Bulletin, now among the missing
journals. Spencer looked intently at the
applicant. She seemed more promising
than the rest. Are you sure you are
81? You look young, very young
Wilhelmina rose to the occasion. Her
assumption of offended dignity would
have deceived a keener man than Spen-
Ger.
I'm sorry, sir, to have troubled you;
perhaps you require a certificate of
birth. Unfortunately have none. Good
afternoon
wait a moment! Pardon me. You do
not understand why 1 am so particular
in regard to age. There are a dozen
their time in attentions to a younger
woman. Harmless enough, III admit,
but this is not a counting school, and
the work requires undivided attention"
4 understand. 1 was young once
myself" she sighed. There was an
awkward silence.
"Thirty-one is not DID, said Spencer
encoura gingly. 1T only seems old to
fellows in the twenties.''
t'Thirty-one is a respectable age and
needs no apology" was the tart reply.
Her gray eyes snapped and she looked
fierce.
shell do" said Spencer to himself;
there will be no flirting" Aloud he
said: Can you stay this morning and
In wit iC2
pile of manuscript.
Il shall be glad to begin at once, was
her reply. A half dozen times during
the morning Wilhelmina caught her en-
ployer looking curiOusly at her; she
wondered if he suspected her deceit. AT
night he said pleasantly: 4 am
well satisfied with what you have
DONE" so she was engaged.
Much as she longed to appear her own
pretty self, Wihelmina dared not put
aside her dark unornamented gown and
tightly drawn back hair. With these
she assumed a dignified, old-fashioned
manner of speech and action that kept
her youthful co-workerS at a distance.
Her desk being in Spencer'S office, and
the fact that much of their work was
done jointly, placed them on a familiar
footing. 1t was agreeable work, and
had she not been acting a, part Wilhel-
nina would have thoroughly enjoyed it.
A date in an article one day led Spencer
to tell his age, 2S After this she felt
still more uncomfortable, saying to
with his grandmother"
One morning when Spencer came in
Wilhelmina knew something had hap
pened. In the months they had worked
together she had learned to note every
change in his expressive countenance.
She had also learned to care deeply for
his good opinion; the lie she had told
him weighed heavily. She found her
self wishing that he knew she was only
%; five years younger than himself
Would it make a difference?
This morning he looked at her so in
tently that she blushed. Then he said
abruptly: What makes women so
secretive in regard to their age? Are
added years a crime? You are the first
one 1 have met who confesses to ii;
your are really younger looking, and
are brave not to lie about it."
Poor Wilhelmina. Without thinking
Il did lie. L am only %. 1 expected to
be caught some time, and I'm foolish
enough to step into the trap, Shall L
leave this morning."
Spencer rose and closed the door into
the outer office. By this time Wilhel-
nina was gathering up her belongings
and croWding them helter-skelter into
her bag.
What's your hurry 2" Spenced asked,
putting a OBTAINING hand on her arm
Wilhelmina looked up into a face so
full of sympathy and tenderness that
the tears of vexation on her laShes mir
rored the wOnderment in her eyes,
Il want you to say, little girl, be-
cause-well, because, I can't live with
out you
Wilhelmina concluded to stay.
A Statue to Gen. Lee at Arlington.