Evening journal., 1899-08-24
WAS CAUGHT AT LAST


she did not suit the ad. or the ad. did BOT
suit her, and now kere was this one, which
would be just the very thing for her, but her
age didn't suit. She was stall seven years
from thirty, aud it was hardly probable
that the position would wait seven years for
her
''Isn't it mean. don't seem TO fit in
anywhere. Young girls and old women are
in demand, but girl Of % isReither young
nor old; a drug in the marketl Wllhemna
Thurston looked disguised.
''You would just ct in there, VIII, said
her sister, reflectiveiy.
Wilhelmina went to She mirror and took
the pins from her luxuriant hair, which was
rolled back loosely from her face and coiled
on the crown Of her head. She parted the
hair down the middle and drew it back
PLAIN, braiding it and dressing it low. ltwas
unbecoming, for her rather severe type OF
beauty was rendered stern by the change.
81 have made up my mind" said WI
helmina, going to the closet and taking there
from her darkest gown, dull gray, 'to ap
ply for that position. Witha stiff collar and
no color to brighten me PIP, shall look
antiquated enough to escape detection. 1t
viii injure no one but myself, and want
work badly enough to add eight years to my
age shall claim to be 81"
Alice Thurst0n laughed. "You are des-
perate, VIII, and no wonder; but fear one
lie win not suffice; you are not an adept in
Teceiving."
"You watt" was the answer.
An hour later Wilhelmina Thurston was
ready to tell the lie She had decided upon.
| As she left her home to 60 to the Office Of
the publisher she really looked the age she
wished to impersonate. The dull gray gown,
which she had always detested, the stiff col
lar, the lack Of all the bright colors she had
always worn, added even more than the
needed seven years to the otherwise youth
full face and figure. It would need an unusu
ally discerning man to detect the fraud that
was to be practiced upon the unsuspecting
publisher.
"If looks count for age, said her sister, as
she left the house, you should certainly sue
ceed, but / still think you viii betray your
self in some way, if not now at some future
time, and then you viii regret the decep
tion you are playing"
Sidney Spencer sst in his private Office,
with a bored look on his face and pile Of
manuscript at his elbow JOutsde in the
main Office the clerks nudged each other and
]
prietor IS out Of sight.
Another antiquated femalel" whispered
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 yous" was the frst query.
"Tfrty-one," she said. bravely.
"What experienceT
"Tea 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 Vat the applicant. She
seemed more promising than tho rest. "Ars
you sure you are 3lg You lock young, very
young"
Wilheluina rose TO the occasion. Her as
sumption Of offended dignity would'have de
ceived keener man thdn Spencer.
I'm sorry, sir, to have troubled YOU per
haps yeu require a certificate Of birth. Un
fortunately have none. Good afternoon
"Wait a momentl Pardon me. You dc
not understand Why am so particular il
regard TO age. There are a, dozen young
idiots in my employ who waste their time
in attentions to a younger woman. Harm
less enough, I'll admit, but this is not Z
courting school, and the work requires un
divided attention"
/ understand. / was young once myself,
she sighed. There was an awkward silence
"Thirty-oneis not old, said Spencer, en-
couragingly. 1T only seems old to fellow
in the twenties."
"Thirty-one is a respectable age and nceo
nc apology" was the tart reply. Her gra.
eyes snapped and she looked fierce.
"shell do" said Spencer to. himself
"there viii be no flirting" Aloud he said
"Can you stay this morning and help me OH
with thisg indicating the pile of manu-
script.
81 shall be glad to begin at once" " was he
reply. a halfdozen times during the morn
ing Wnheimina caught her employer iooR
ing curiously at her; she wondered if be sul
pected her deceit. At night be said pleas
antly: Il am well satisfied with what 20
have done," so she was engaged.
Much as she lsneed to appear her ow
pretty self, Wilhelmina dared not put nsid
her dark unornamcnted gown and Tight
drawn back hair. With these she assume
a dignifed, oldfashioned manner Of speec
, and action that kept heryouthful coworkeI
r at distance.
Her desk being in Spencer's Office, and th
] fact that much OF their work was don
jointly, placed them OK q familiar footinl
1t was agreeable work, and had she not bee
acting part Wilhelmina would hay
thoroughly enjoyed Il. A date in an artic
one day led Spencer 10 tell his age, %. AftC
r this she felt Still more uncomfortable, sayin
b TO Alice 81 wonder how be likes workin
S with his grandmother"
e One morning when Spencer came in WI
= helmina ksew something had happened
Z In the months they had worked together 81
= had learned to note every change in his e.
: prcssive couutenance. She had also learne
to care deeply for his good opinion; the ]
;, she had told him weighed heavily. 81
e found herself wishing that he knew she WI
h only %; five years younger than himsel
G Would it make a difference?
p This morning he looked at her SO intent
Z that she blushed. Then he said abrupt.
+, "What makes women so secretive in regal
to their age2 Are added years crimi
= You are the first one / have met who co
g fcsses 10 81; you are really younger loolin
u and are brave not TO lie about It."
Poor whitening. Without thinking
D. the consequences, she said hurriedly;
O dd lie | am only %. ] expected 10
D. caught some time, and I'm foolish enoui
-e to step into the trap. Shall ] leave th