The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-12-20


must have stenographer and type
writer
Very good" said Cummings. shall
it be male or a femalef"
John looked nj Philip for moment.
"Iou know my objections to bringing
a woman into an office unless she be old
and ely" he said
by Jove" Cummings broke in abrupt
~. There's a letter from a lady who
wants a position. She says she's 20. is
a fair operator and begs US to give her a
trial
Il wonder how she came to apply to
us, said John.
"Ah, here it is" replied Cummings.
reading further she says it was init
mated to her that We were thinking Of
taking on some one in the capacity Of
typewriter on account Of the increase in
our business and correspondence.
We'll, she may have heard it from
some Of your friends" said Barclay. for
never said word to any one about the
matter
Nor | either, except perhaps ?. moth
er's at dinner. suppose my sister Julia
heard me ana boasted to her dressmakcr
of her brothers success. and the lady OF
sacques and gowns told her friend. and
so on"
Pass the letter over and let me see
how she spells and punctuatcs. Why,
hello, it is addressed to you personally"
1T is addressed to me personally. but
as manager OF the house." Cummings
FASTENED to explain.
If Barclay had looked very keenly at
his partner just then. he would have no.
ticed a certain confusion that had sud
denly come upon him. The fact was
when Philip opened the envelope he dis
covered the photograph Of a very heauti-
full girl, and he was puzzled exceedingly
at its presence.
The letter is very brief. husinesslke
and modest said Barclay. and such a
one as no gentleman can ignore. | should
suggest that We grant the request for an
Interview"
Philip assentcd readily
At precisely the following day
dainty card bearing the name of Miss
Catherine Austin was handed John Bar
clay ty the Office boy.
Tell the lady wen see her in Just
minute" he told the boy and then. toss
ing the card over to Philip. continued:
81 want To say one word before We meet
this young person. We have not yet
seen her, and want to make an agree
ment with you that neither Of us shall
during the time she may be in our EN-
ploy show her any attention more than
the courteous consideration which her
sex demands from gentlemen"
IN agree to that" responded Philip,
and the young partners shook hands.
Philip took his place Mt the rear Of the
room, with his arm resting on the mantel
over the CRATE, where he could watch the
effect of Miss AuStiu's appearance upon
his partner without being himself observ-
ed
She appeared-tall. 1.-THE and graceful
wearing very deep mourning. Every bit
OF her showed the lady. but when She
lifted her veil both partners were ready
to fall down and worship her. She was
womanly and Quecnly. | place the at
tribute Of womenliness first because |
consider il the higher of the two. Miss
Austin was dignihed and perfectly self
possessed
After few words Barclay dictated
number Of letters to her to test her skill
and as the result was satisfactory she
was engaged ana duly installed
As time rolled by every one in the outer
Office came TO regard Miss Austin with
sdmiriug Difference.
One bright day in June Philip took
Barclay TO task in a joeuar way.
\ We been trying for some time" he
said, 'to interpret the term courteous
consideration and didn't know wheth-
er It included bringing beautiful bou-
quet every morning from the country and
placing it on our fair employees desk
Perhaps as you are tse author Of the
expression you will advise me as TO its
breadth"
Barclay blushed for a moment and
then, with a look OF mischief in his eyes
replied:
Yes, flowers are certainly permitted
but most assuredly not bonbons or love
Stories"
1t was now Cummings turn to blush
and the affair ended in a hearty laugh on
both sides.
Late the same day the firm received
cable which summoned Barclay to Lon
don, and he prepared to leave by the
steamer which was to sail at II o'clock
the following morning.
After the Office closed for the night
Philip stepped into fireLroof vault or
{ SAFE on the private office. where legal
documents and letters were filed. and was
looking for a certain paper, when the
sound OF his partners voice caused him
to start. as he thought all were gone for
the day but the watchman. He would
have Immediately left his place of con
cealNlent had not Johns next words
which were spoken very rapidly. caused
aim to reconsider such a determination
and TO remain where he was.
love you better than my life" John
was saying. Il loved you the first mo.
>ment | saw you. | want you to marry
| now and go with me to Europe"
\ ililip could almost hear his own heart
ting as he waited for Miss Austin's
IT,
came at last.
' you asked me to come here in or
u ell me this Mr. BarclayY" she
I'm very sorry for you. I'm sure
a slest yu. but | don't love you and
4 In think Of marty ug sou. Ii is hard
V I'D no. be loved in return.
fs~ ~ Tor ! ANee suilered it,"
silence foiloWcd. Then Barclay said.
easliy,