The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-02-05
A QUEER BLUNDER.

iduidHCt was iOot oH tue souhb man
with keen, gray eyes who stood at the
Office door and hesitated before he
turned the knob. In that brief mo-
ment he tried to recall the directions
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 ne
tells you to do. Let him have his own
way. If he busters and fumes. wait
quietly. He will soon cool down.
Fathers gruff manner is largely as
sumed. ii you have tact, you will dis
cover the way to handle him. Tell
him truthfully, II you have a chance.
how we met at Aunt Stanhope's, and
that as coon as we were quite assured
that we were all in all to each other,
which. you must add, came to both of
us as a complete surprise, | sent you
directly to HIM. will prepare him as
far as | think judicious for your com
ing. Keep up a stout heart and guard
your temper"
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, ana a gruff voice bade
him come in. Spencer summed up all
his resolution and entered.
A sharp-featured old man, with
heavy eyebrows was seated at a desk.
with his bushy gray head bent above
handful of papers.
"Sit down." he said, without look
ing up.
Spencer obeyed, and after little the
old man raised his head. glanced at the
clock, and then gave the young man
long. searching glance. AS he did
so he drew a letter toward him and
glanced at a page of it. Again he
stared at Spencer.
We'll" ne said abruptly, you are
exactly on time. You were to be mere
precisely at 10. This argues well for
your early training. You have made
a good impression on me to start
with"
Spencer murmured his pleasure at
this favorable comment, but the old
man interrupted him.
"Your father says here that you re-
semble him. He writes that the re-
semblance is so strong that | couldn't
help but know who you were If
CHANGED to meet you anywhere.
don't agree with him, though there is
a family resemblance. You are much
better looking than he ever dreamed
of being"
did my father say that?" inquired
Spencer hastily. He knew the thing
was quite impossible. Emilys father
was laboring under some queer delu-
sion. But he didn't mean TO contra
dict him.
Yes, he did," chuckled the old man.
with a grim smile. Fathers with but
one child are apt to be asses."- Then
his tone changed. what can you do?
Can you write shorthand? DO you un-
derstand typewriting? Can you COM
pose a good letter? Can you spell?"
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
years OF practical work. I've been
! hard at it, in fact, ever since left
| college"
"Your father doesn't make any ouch
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 private secretary. Ha,
| ha, ha! Here, take these letters. See
what answers they need. Answer 'em.
That's your little side room there.
call YOU.
Spencer smilingly took the letters
and without trace of hesitation went
into the little room assigned him. He
found the conveniences he needed, and
with his amused smile deepening he
went at his task.
Presently he heard the outer door of
the Office open and shut, and a mo-
ment later the following dialogue oamo
to him through the half-closed door:
so you have come" growled the
old man.
Eyes, SIR" said mild voice with a
little quaver in it.
We'll" said tho old man with q
dangerous rising infection, 81 want to
tell you that IT can never be-"
DO you mean that | won't do?" in
CURED the mild voice.
That's just what | mean" snarled
the old man. Your comprehension
does you credit"
But how can you tell till you've
tried me?" protested the mild voice.
Tried you!" roared the old man
What do you mean by that?"