The Washington times., 1901-11-10

| Sife "dY-aiWayS ueferring to her whims
and taciuy acknowledging the superiority
Of her judgment.
one morning she looked at him acros.
the writing table. and there was a curl
Gus expression in her eyes.
Are you really like the other men o.
your age?" she asked.
He looked up, a little startled.
trust, he said, you have not been
making comparisons to my disadvan-
| tage''
She laughed. She did laugh occasion
ally. and John Winter was glad to see
.nat these periods of relaxation were rap
idly increasing.
hou are so docile," she said: so lack
| ing in antagonistic spi it, l cannot be-
HeVe that Other men are like you"
ana yet yor know so much about
men" said John Winter.
| es. she said. in books
rms certainly was remarkable ad-
am very anxious to please you"
SAID John. Then he added. little hastily.
as he returned to his writing. Il want
to keep my place"
John Winter had been Miss Strong's
| secretary for four months when his en-
pIoyer announced that she meant to give
| little reception in honor of the return of
her neighbor, Colonel Denton, and desired
John to write the infoIma invita- lions.
| You may address one to yourself If
| you wish. she added, "or take it YER
| baIly."
| You are very kind" said John Winter.
| May the acceptance be verbal, too?"
1t was not large gathering. but the
| guests were people of more or less prom
off fhn- in
way. and the colonel. standing by Miss
Strong. looked about him with many
smiles. Presently his glance wandered to
| an inner apartment
On, he said, Il see you have one lion
at least"
Point him out" said Miss Strong, with
little laugh.
Il mean the author Of "A Dash of Cour-
age Aubray Thorn. Sixteenth edition
and still selling like wildfire. But listen
to me talking shop. Tell me how you
discovered his identity. 1 thought 1t was
still a secret"
My dear colonel" said Miss Strong,
I really do not know to whom you al
lude. win you kindly point out this IA
nous personage?"
Why, there he is.'' said the eminent
publisher. 'The tall young man. with the.
dark eyes, leaning against the mantel."
Miss Strong softly laughed
Why, that is Mr.. John Winter" she
said.
'Of course it is cried the colonel, land
I'm very glad you know him. and that
it is you who are introducing him to the
public by his true name VIII you ex-
cuse me while I offer him my congratula-
tions?"
And without perceiving Miss strongs
trouble look he hurried across the room.
The last guest had gone and John Win
ter was about to say good night when
Miss Strong stopped him
Il have a word or two to say to you"
she remarked. and waved him to a seat.
John Winter bowed and drew the chair
little nearer the lady.
She locked at him moment
May ask, she said. why you have
been playing this part?'
Il beg your pardon said the secretary.
but l think your tone suggests that l
have been guilty of some deception. VIII
you indicate wherein 1 have deceived
you?"
why did you seek my employment"
Il did not seek it, said John Winter.
You thrust 1t upon me-"
But you came in answer to my ad-
vertisement"
Il came to ask where Colonel Denton
lived. never saw your advertisement"
Miss Strong slightly gasped.
But you let me think that you were
a secretary"
We'll" said John Winter with a slight
smile. haven't proved it to your salts
faction?"
Miss Strong hesitated. She was max
ing slow progress.
You distinctly told me-" she Iamely
added, that romance and business could
not mix
Pardon me again" said John Winter,
Il simply agreed with you TO the gen
eral truth Of the proposition. With me
romance is business
You pretended to agree with me about
everything" cried Miss Strong with a
little touch of temper.
1t was the easier way said John Win
ter. 4 knew my place as your secre- |
tary. and as 1 told you once before, 1
wanted to keep the job
Miss Strong bit her lip.
"Of course you will understand that
that is quite impossible now" she said.
Il suspected it when l saw the colonel
looking my way tonight" said John Win
ter. He meant well, of course, and l
can't blame him. / can understand that
IL would bring a little too much notoriety
into your life to have a rising author in
your employ Well. it has been a beau
tiful time the most beautiful summer 1
have ever known-and l thank you many,
many times for all your kindness"
For a young woman IF advanced ideas
and rigid principles Miss Strong was
strangely silent.
Presently she slowly looked up.
Il wish you would tell me frankly what |
it was that prompted you to take service |
with me?" she said and her tone was al
most an appealing one.
John Winter arose and looked down on |
her.
Surely you have guessed" he said,a
there was note of trouble in his voice.
She slowly s!.ock her head.
''Youi" said John Winter. Then he
abruptly added; Good night" and turned
toward the door
Miss Strong arose.
John" she called very softly.
But he heard her and turned in the
doorway.
John, II think did guess, and-and
I cant let you so. John
So John Winter turned back.-W. r. !
Rose in Cleveland Plain Dealer.