The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-07-14

giving humble pull at the handle of
the bell, such as she woald not have
given ut the door of duke. At last she
rang again. and then her summons at
tracted attention. She heard footsteps
on the other side of the door, and then it
was flung open, and n man in the usual l..
decorous garb of Il servant stood to hear
what she wanted.
docs Mr.. Alan Stacey live here2
she asked.
"Yes, a'am.
SIS he at homer" ,
''Mr. Stacey is not cat, ma am. " tho
man replied, but he does not usually
see any one at this hour. Mr.. Stacey is
in his study. ma am.
Still think lie will see he, said
Mary, eagerly. "if you will give him
tliis card.
walk this way. ma am. said the
mon. taking the card between his finger
and thumb in the peculiar manner OF a
well trained servant
He led the way down Il broad tagged
pathway which led to the house. twas
covered by Il kind of veranda, and en-
either side Il charming garden spread
until bounded by the old wall. 1t was
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 shclterin2 roof overhead, and great
hydrangeas bloomed at the bases of
them
The house was long and low, had
long windows opening like doors and Il
wide vcranda running it's entire length.
This veranda was paved with brilliant
colorcd tiles, on which were flung here
and there rich looking rugs. Huge easy
chairs, wicker tables and hammock
made pleasart lounge, and there were
Towering plants everywhere.
"Will you take seat here, ma am p
said the man, indicating large chair.
81 will inquire if Mr.. Stacey will see
you"
Mary sat down, and he 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 a 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 mans tones
answering:
"All right I'll come out, )" said the
mans voice.
The next moment tall man in light
gray clothing came out Ivy the window.
Mary was in Alan Stacey's presence.
"Mrs. Conway" he said, looking at
| III l.; al
Mary sprang to her feet. "Yes, l am
Mrs. Conway, she said tremulcusly
"Messrs. Bloomingby thought that
should suit you.
"As a typist:''
"And stenographer, she added
QUICKLY, 90. uumu, ,,.. ,-y
kindly and himself pulled chair near
enough to talk with case "What is
your speed az a shorthand writer?'
"a hundred and twenty"
Good You look intelligent, which
is more TO the point Have you been
with any author before?"
"No, y answered Mary; 81 have been
with solicitor, and that, of course,
was work needing great care and pre-
cison.
"Ah, yes And why did you leave
him?"
81 did not leave him." she replied
unfortunately for me, he died"
81 sec. Do you think you would like
my kind of work."
''Yes, said she promptly.
81 am not very easy to work with
| I'm as crochetty as most other literary
men, Mr. Stacey said. 81 have Just
| got rid OF man, an excellent fellow
for no reason than that he sat on the
edge of his chair and waited. l would
have forgiven him many things, but
his waiting became oppressive. 1t killed
every idea l had. Before that / had a
young lady. She knew Shakespeare by
heart and could quote Xenophon, but
she would mend my copy as she went
| on
"Oh, how dared she2" Mary burst
out Mr.. Stacey looked at her with a
| vague sense of amusement. 81 assure
| you, Miss-well, never mind her name
it is immaterial, bus 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 terrible lot of work IL hand. IL
| had gone on with Miss Blank, l
! should have been as dead as a doornail
by this time. She could not do my
| work without ironing it out as she
went along. so that every vestige of
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, D." said Alan
| Stacey. smiling at the relnnln hrann.