The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-10-18

Little Miss Clark was compostor in
the oiflce OF the Weekly Clarion, and
She found life very dull. She was often
lonely and sometimes wished she did
not have to stick type for living
The Office force consisted Of only her
self. the proprietor, MIR. Potter ami
Tom, the devil. Tom was as mische-
yious as bright devils usually are, ani
he was the best Of friends with Miss
Clark. The boss, however, frowned
at any leyity, so that it was usually
very quiet when the three were at work
in the little cluttercd-up printing Office
But one eventful day all things were
changed by the advent OF a PRIMER
whom Mr. Potter introduced as the son
CT an old friend Richard Knox was
bright young fellow. well dressed ana
open-vsagcd. and Miss Clark wondered
what brought him to that little out-of
the-way country office
He proved to be hustler" and won
the admiration OF all, while he admired
the quiet, little, left-handed compositor
and wished he knew her better.
Miss Clark was very reserved, bu.
though she did not speak ten words 70
HIM throughout the day, she cast furtive
glances at him now and then. She
speculated about his history and the
Gays appeared very short after his ar
rival. MIR. Knox kept close watch up
on her, too, but she was unaware Of
that She did not know that he had de.
termined to become better acquainted
with her He had no opportunity, how
ever, till one afternoon he accidentally
hit her elbow while she was emptypg a
stickful OF type into a galley. She drop
ped II, and made sorry mess OF "pi."
Excuse my awkwardness," he ex-
claimed. pentently. so stupid Of me.
I'm very sorry"
"You are quite excusable." she re-
piled smiling Such accidents will
happen"
or course, he helped her pick up the
''pi." and in the process their heads
came very close together It took a
long time, Mr.. Potter being absent, and
then he helped her distribute ID. The
devil grinned appreoiatively.
After that the two became good
friends. and one day she asked him why
me went from one printing Office to an
other. like a tismp."
"You are such a good workman and
too young to start life So" she said
"Twould be dreadful IL you degeneratei
into the ordinary tramp printer"
Would you be sorry II did?" he
asked, studying her keenly.
Certainly should" she answered,
with blush,
"It's very good Of you to take an in
terest in me" he replied gratefully Il
suppose you are right. but / haven't a
soul in the world to care whether /
come or go. All my people are dead. 30
! took to travelling from one place to
another to see the world"
"I wish you would give It up and set
tie down. I'm sure you wculd mage a
great success If you did. Can't you do
it2"
"Yes, could. / learned my trade 4
a big New York office. and can go
back there any time. They did their
best to induce me to stay, but wouldn't l.
II go II you say SO"
do. It would please me very much.
and would be best for you
Then III do il" he answered decls
lively. He kept his word. and the mex,
week left for New York And when
I've settled down and ara doing well.
I'm coming back to ask you a question"
he said in parting, gazing earnestly inta
her eyes, May ?"
The little compostor dropped her
eyes and blushed, bni she nodded.
A year elapsed, during which she had
a letter from him occasionally, but he
never spoke OF returning. and she won
dered II be had forgotten.
One fine June afternoon. while she
was busy setting "iocal. and wonded-
ing whether Richard would ever return,
the door suddenly opened and there he
stood. Her locals" were pi on the
instant, and, of COURSE Mr.. Knox.
brighter and handsomer than ever. help
ed her repair the mischief.
you surprised me Sc" she murmur-
ed, but I'm real glad to see you"
mot more than | am to see you" ne
replied. The devil was watching them
and listening. so he could do little but
gaze into her face and let his eloquent
eyes speak for himself
That evening he called on her. Il
can't wait any longer 70 hear your
answer to my question" he said. What