The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-03
Bravery Rewarded,

| Gertrude Marshall drove her father to
and from his office on days when 1t
was pleasant enough for an open car
| riage. She was a good hOrsewomaE, but
one day q newspaper blew up iIfo the
| horses face and he bolted. They had
| gone couple OF hundred yards when
| young man leaped from the sidewalk and
| flung himself at the horses head. The
horse dragged him a few feet and then
| stopped, painting and trembling. Through
| 1t all Gertrude chung to the reins, ana
| though her face and lips We're white,
she did not faint. After brushing his
clothes a bit the young ban inquired If
the fair occupant of the carriage were
hurt.
Not hurt" said Gertrude, in a voice
that trembled. but rather frightened.
Would it be asking too much thar YOU
drive NE to my fathers Officer
The young man took his seat by her
side, and the rose now perfectly docile,
caused no further trouble, and they
reached their destination safely The
young fellow preserved a distant silence
during the drive, and when she alighted
from the carriage Gertrude saw that no
was anxious to get away. But she had
decided that her father mist thank him
in some way for his timely aid and bra
very.
Il hate to bother you further" she
said, but would you take me in and find
me chair?'
They found Mr. Marshall just getting
into his coat when they reached the
office.
Papa said the girl, "the horse ran
away just now and this young man STOP
ped him at the risk of his lie and then
drove me here. I want you to thank
him." and the old man saw by his child's
eyes that something more than mere
thanks must be given her rescuer.
1T was nothing, sir began the young
man. T.
Nothing" clustered Mr. Marshall.
nothing to save my daughters life? Had
anything happened to Gertrude 1 should
have gone crazy, sir. cannot thank
you enough. Words are of no avail in
these cases. Come to dinner with us
now and we win talk it over"
Gertrude, standing beside her father,
patted his big arm as she gently second
ed the invitation.
Il thank you both,'' said the young
man, but l must return to the office.
was on business when fate 2u- 1t in
my way to render a small service to your
daughter"
May 1 ask what office you are mas
also your name, young MANI" inquired
the bluff banker.
MY name, sir, is Gerald Allen, end
l am a mere clerk in Blank q Co.'S
office"
Mr.. Marshall felt a gentle pressure on
his arm and inquired If the young man
should care to change his position for one
which would be more lucrative to him.
The young mans eyes frightened at once
Now, see here said Mr.. Marshall,
after he had heard the few words Ger
trude whispered in his ear. ''for some
time [ have been looking for man who
writes good hand, who is quick and
trustworthy (and L know you are that
In short, l want confidential clerk and
private secretary combined. Would you
be willing to accept such a position?"
Mr.. Marshll,'' said Gerald Allen, with
flushed face. II fear you will find that
too great a reward for my assistance to-
day.
Tut. tut" said the old man; II cannot
reward you for that, but you will accept
my offer?'
with thanks, sir said Gerald.
Then, 1 will speak to Blank and you
can take your position here next week
In the meantime we will look for you at
lunch on Sunday"
Thus it was that Gerald Allen rose from
a poorly paid clerk in a .smau office to a
salaried private secretary in one of the
largest banking houses in Boston, and
thus it was that he met Mr.. MarshalTs
gentle daughter and lost his large hon
est heart to her. But he would not tell
her of his honest love, because he re-
garded himself as being in lower sphere
in life than his divinity; while the pretty
ertrude wondered if she had given her
affections to a man who was Indifferent
to her -
One morning Mr. Marshall asked his
secretary if he were a relation of a GER
tain Oscar Allen, formerly of Plymouth
Yes said Gerald, "he was my uncle,
but 1 have not heard from him for
years"
Then his employer showed him an item
in the morning paper inquiring for rela-
tives Of the late Oscar Allen. Inquiry OF
the lawyer who had charge of the de-
ceased mans affairs showed that Gerald
was heir to almost half million of dol
lars. When Gerald heard this he almost
shouted for joy, for now he could WOO
his little sweetheart without feeling that
he was imposing on her.
Accordingly. that afternoon he betook
himself to her home and found her seat
ed by the open window embroidering a
dainty bit of linen.
Something in the young mans teyes or
manner gave the girl an linking Of what
was coming, ard she talked of all sub
jects under the sun, and so gayly and
rapidly that he COULD not guess how her
heart was futtering under her blue
dress.
Gertrude" he said at last, 'let me
talk now. I came here to ask you to be
my wife. love you, dear. oh, so much
Ever since the day 1 first drove by your
side until now. I feel must speak or
go mad. Can you not love me a little
bit. dear?"
Not little Bit" said Gertrude, softly,
'but a great DEAL" and she hid her
pretty rosy face in her lovers shoulder