Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-08-30

A QUEER BLUNDER.

EoHE morning sun frightened the

C0HE morning sun frightened the
gilt letters on the sign above the
- entrance to the stancli old ware
house, but its radiance was lost OH the
young man with keen. gray eyes who
stood at the office door and hesituted
before he turned the knob. In that
brief moment he tried to recall the ui-
rectons that Emily Quarles had given
him.
Father is peculiar" she had said.
"You must know him before you can
appreciate him." And Spencer Grant
wondered how long it would be before
this apprcciaIive stage could he
reached. lie hadn't met this peculiar
father, and here he was standing on
the doormat of his office mastering MP
courage to go in aud ask him for his
daughter.
What else had Emil. said? $40 not
contradict father. DO just what he
tells you to do. Let him have his own
way. If he blNsters and fumes, wait
quietly. He will soon cool down. Ia
Tiers gruff manner is largely assumed.
If you have tact you will discover the
way to handle him. Tell him truth
fully. ii YOU have a chance, how we
met at Aunt Stanhope's, and that MS
soon as we were quite assured that we
were all in all to each other, which, You
must add came to both Of lis rs com
pcte surprise. sent you directly to
him. will prepare him rs far as
think iudicious for your coming. Keep
up q stout heart and guard your tenn
per-
Spencer turned the knob and went
in. There were several clerks writing
in the outer office but they did not look
up as he passed along the narrow
space before the high railing to the
door marked 'Vrivatc.' He knocked
at this door, and a gruff voice bade
linn come in. Spencer summed up
all his resolution and entered
\ Sharp-fcatured old man with heavy
eyebrows was seated at Il desk, with
his hushy gray head bent above Il har'i-
FIJI Of papers.
"Sit down." he said, without looEiu.
up.
Spencer obcycd. ana after little
the old man raised his hend, glanced
ut the clock. and then gave the y"un%
man a long. searching glance. As be
did SO he drew letter toward him
and glanced at Il page OF it. Again ne
stared at Spencer
"Well.' he said abruptly. "you are
exactly On time. You We're to he here
precisely at 10. This argues we'll ion
YOUR early training. \ou have made
Il good impression on me 10 start with.
Spencer mnlrinured his pleasure at
this favorable comment, but the old
man interrupted him.
your father says here that you re-
scmble him. He writes that the r.
scmDlancc is so strong that cou!ln''
nclp but know who you were ii
CHANGED to meet you elsewhere.
don't agree with him. though there r.
a family resemblance. You are much
better looking than he ever dreamed OF
being"
Did my father say that: inquired
Spencer hastily. He knew the thing
was quite impossible. Elnly's father
was laboring under some queer delu-
sion. But he didn't mean to contra
dict him.
Yes, he did" ciuclslcd the old man
with Il grim smile. Fathers with but
one child are apt to be asses" Then
his tone changed. "What can you do;
Can you write shorthand? Do you ia
terstand typewriting? Can you com
nose a good letter? Can you spell:"
II think" said Spencer. quietly
that can best answer that by saying
that have a pretty thorough business
training that was picked up in foul
years Of practical work. I've been
hard at it. in fact. ever since l left
college"
Your father doesn't make any such
claim" said the old man, referring
again to the letter. "All he says i,
TRY him.. will. I've made place
for you. am going to indulge in til,
luxury of Il private secretary. liza
hA ha. Here. take these letters. Sc,
what answers they need. Answer 'cl
That's your little side room there
Leave the door openI may want Il
call YOU"
Spencer smillingly took up the letters
and without Il trace of hesitation went
into the little room assigned him. III
found the cOnVeniences he needed, and
with his amused smile deepening he
went at his task.
Presently he heard the outer door OF
the office open and shut. and mo-
Mcnt later the following dialogue cam,