Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-09-04
A QUEER BLUNDER.
morning sun Frightened tn

[EE0 HE morning sun frightened the
gilt letters on the sign above the
entrance to the stanch old ware
house, but its radiance was lost on the
young man with keen, gray eyes who
stood at the once door and hesitated
before he turned the knob. In that
brief moment he tried to recall the di-
rections 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 appreciative stage could be
reached. He hadn't met this peculiar
father, and here he was standing on
the doormat of his Office mastering up
courage to go in and ask him for his
daughter.
What else had Emily said? 'Do not
contradict father. Do just what he
tells you 10 do Let him have his own
way. If he busters and fumes, wait
quietly. He will soon cool down. Fa-
1ber's gruff manner is largely assumed.
If you have tact you win discover the
fully, if you have a chance, how we
met at Aunt Stanhope's. and that as
soon as we were quite assured that we
were all in all to each other, which, you
must add, came to both of us as com
plete surprise, sent you directly to
him. [ will prepare him as far as
think judicious for your coming. Keep
up 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 private" He knocked
at this door. and gruff voice babe
him come in. Spencer summed UP
all his resolution and entered.
A sharp-featured old man with heavy
eyebrows was seated at n desk, with
his bushy gray head bent above hand
full Of papers.
"Sit down." he said. without looking
up.
Spencer obeyed, and after little
the old man raised his head, glanced
at the clock. and then gave the young
man a long. searching glance. AS he
did so he drew letter toward him
and glanced at page of it. Again he
stared at Spencer.
Well" he said abruptly, ''you are
exactly on time. You were to be here
preeisely at 10. This argues well for
your early training. You have made
n good impression or me to start with"
spencer murnLred his pleasure at
this favorable comment but the old
snan interrupted him.
Your father says here that you re-
semble Linn. He writes that the re-
senlblance is so strong that | couldn't
nelp but know who you were if l
Glanced to meet you elsewhere. l
don't agree with him, though there is
n family resemblance. You are much
better looking than he ever dreamed of
being"
did my father say that? Inquired
Spencar hastily. He knew the thing
was quite impossible. Emily's father
was laboring under some queer delu-
sion. But he didn't mean to contra
diet him.
Eyes. he did" chuckled the old man,
with grim smile. Fathers with but
one child are apt to be asses" Then
his tone charged. What can you do?
Can You write shorthand? Do you I'M
derstand typewriting? Can you COM
nose a good letter? Can you spellg
81 Think said Spencer. quietly,
"that | can best answer that by saying
that have a pretty thorough business
training that was picked up In four
wears of practical work. I've been
hard at 1t. 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 is
TRY him. / will I've made place
for you. am going TO indulge in the
luxury OF n private secretary. Ha.
ma. ha! Here, take these letters. See
what answers they need. Answer 'em.
That's your little side room there.
Leave the door open-I may want to
call you"
Spencer smillingly took up the letters
W
into the little room assigned him. He
found the coGveniences he needed. and
with his amused smile deepening he
went az his task.
Presently he heard the outer door of
the office open and shut. aud mo
ment later the following dialogue came
To him through the half-closed door.
SO you have come" growled the old
man,
Yes, sir" said mild voice with a
ultle quaver in it.
well" said the old man, with a
dangerous rising infection. II want TO
tell YOU that il can never ber'
"Do You mean that l won't dep In
uuired the mild voice.
that's Just what | mean" sparled
the old man. Your comprehension
does yOu credit"
"But how can you tell till you've
tried meT' protested the mild voice.
Tried youP' roared the old man.
what do you mean by that?"
I mean. sir" said the mild voice
hurriedly. that hardly think it's fair
70 condemn me unheaul and untried.
] was led to think you would show me
more consideration"
"oh. you were. were youg' snapped
the cid man. We'll. sir. you have
been falsely led. l know my daugh-
ter much better than you do. sirg'
Your daughter. ssry"
Yes, my daughter. And don't you
dare TO mention her name"
IL had no intention of doing SO.
sir"