The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-31

I her shapely ears and shone in iustrous
contrast with the black lace of her hat.
/ Her manner was confidently modest and
properly positive as she rose with half
smile. came toward him. and with tiny
I engraved card in her extended hand, and
+ said:
Mr. DudIey?"
! He bowed. glancing at the card and
wondering at the shining beauty of her
/ large, shapely hand. and answered:
Yes. Miss Blaisden. VIII you step in
here?'
He led her into his private office, raised
/ the window. lowered the shade and sat
down opposite her. his eyes fixed upon her
extraordinary eyes. She looked at him
with the frank expectancy of a well-ored
young woman of business. but he was ST.
l1ent for quite minute.
4 came about the place, Mr. Dudley
she began. Mamma showed me your lei
ter II was very kind of you and Colonel
Houghteling to think of u.s..
can you write shorthand and-do you
wish the position. Miss Blaisdel?'
He asked the question as if he feared
she might say NO" but when her face
wreathed into a bewitching smile and she
said, oh, l want 1t so badly, Mr. Dud-
leyr' he could not suppress an answering
smile of ingenious satisfaction.
We're dreadfully poor, you know she
went on, pulling her chair closer and sit
ting in an attitude naively confidential.
1T will be lovely for me 10 be with
friends-that is, with gentlemen who knew
papa. It's my first position and-and.
you'll be patient with me at first, won't
you. Mr.. Dudley?''
And so they came TO terms. She might
do pretty much as she pleased till the col
onel came home. he said; he was a begin
ner himself and his correspondence was
very light-as yet. He even helped her
make ready her desk, showed her the lit
tie closet where she might hang her hat
and then, as 1t was past II, he tried to
think of some unanswered letter. some
business unattended, some excuse for
trying ont the new stenOgrapher.
A letter TO his father furnished the only
chance ne could think of. and he coughed
two or three times. fidgeted with his col
lar and-actually blushed before he could
summon nerve enough to say: VIII you
take a letter, please. Miss Blaisden?' He
said il as il ne were asking a favor and
he felt that he was. 1t seemed a favor
and he felt that he was. 1t seemed a
trifie prescriptions for him TO thus COM
mand so beautiful a creature. She came
over with her paper and pencil and looked
into his eyes with almost feverish interest.
watching his lips as he spoke the hesitat-
ing words smiling delightfully."- at the little
spersed the letter TO his father in Boston.
1t wasn't a very long letter, but the
noon bell was ringing before it was finish
ed. and he bade her go 10 her lunch and
don't hurry back. AS for him he went
10 the club as usual and AT clock. when
he returned Miss Blaisdell was sitting in
her place, cooler, handsomer, more grac-
ious than ever. The typewriter letter
and addressed envelope were on his desk
IL mir cd wiz fuE Of
severe criticism, but ne could not help
admiring the perfect workmanship. the
tasteful spacing the accurate punctua-
ton. She had even changed. and he
thought improved, his style and manner Of
expression.
He looked up ard smiled when he saw
that she was watching him with anxious
curiosity.
do you think I'll do?" she asked. with
a blush that seemed to enhance the per-
feet beauty of her animated face.
Dor he answered with pleased sur
prise ITS perfect. We're lucky 10 get
you. Miss Blaisdeu''
And so matters went while Colonel
Houghteins was abroad. though Frank
transacted little business. and half OF TIC
letters he dictated were wholly unueces-
sary Try as ne might. he was always
finished with his dietations in the fore
non. and in the afternoon his letters. al
ways an Improvement upon his own lang
uage. were ready on his desk. But the
very first day after the ccloueis return
the adyliic charm OF Miss Blsisdelis pres
ence was disturbed. he bolted into her
desk and hurriediy dictated letter.
Give ne the typewriter copy at oncei'
he blurted. rushing out. When he was
gone Frank stole a glance at the girl.
There were tears in her noble eyes her
hand was trembling and the CULVER Of q
suppressed SOB was about her matchless
mouth.
Don't mind hin. Catherine-siiss
Bla!sdelI." he said. he doesn't mean 10
be ruGe. he's rushed. he's
oh il !snt that she said. coming
over and whispering. I ought n have
told you, hut 1 was 50 anxious to stay.
was afraid you'd dischsrge me. bur Mis-
ter Dudley I'm Very-I can read M
own shorthand. T.
How on earth did you do my letters
then. Miss Catherine low
4 took them 70 the Shorthand school
at noon sn1-oh- I know II was deceltfuI
but 7 thought I'd learn fast enough q b.
ready for the colonel and-snd now he'll
find ne out"
Her hand. that large. white appealing
hand. was on the arm - his chair. and 81
took II in his. a daring and yer scared
look in his eyes a. ~ looked into hers.
and said;
Catherine. 1--we been iatend.ng toto
discharge you fer the last week. On fact
since the a-st dav I say v8s
she stood Up ard iet hsIn hold hzr hands.
smiling now through he- tears. a. be
whispered
4 think can square things with ths
JOHN Il RAFTERY.