Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-13
WILHELMINA.

l "NsA NtuNa'h Wohui. must Dt Wv III
years of age
isn't 1t mean. don't seem to fit In
anywhere. Young girls and old women
are in demand, but girl Of q is
neither young nor old; a drug in the
market" Wilhelmlna Thurston looked
disguised.
You would just fit in there, WILL"
said her sister, refectively.
Wilhelmina went to the mirror and
took the pins from her luxurlant hair,
which was rolled back loosely from
her luxuriant hair, which was rolled
her face and colled on the crown Of
her head. She parted the hair down
the middle and drew 1t back plain,
braidlng it and dressing 1t low. 1t was
unbecoming for her rather severe type
Of beauty was rendered stern by the
change.
II have made up my mind,' said
Wilhelmina, going to the closet and
taking therefrom her darkest gown, a
dull gray, ito apply for that position.
With a stiff collar and no color to
brighten me up, shall look antiquated
enough to escape detection. 1t will in
jure no one but myself, and l want
work badly enough to add eight years
to my age. | shall claim to be 81"
Alice Thurston laughed, "You are
desperate, WILL and no wonder; but I
fear one lie will not suffice; you are
not an adept in decelving."
you wait" was the answer.
Sidney Spencer sat In his private
office, with a bored look on his face
and a pile of manuscript at his elbow.
Outside in the main office the clerks
nudged each other and Uttered, as
young men will when the proprietor
is out of sight
another Anticipated female~ whis-
pered John Stanwood to his neighbor,
as light step on the stair was heard.
A moment later Wilhelmina was ush.
cred into Spencers office
"IIow old are your was the first
query.
"Thirty-one,' she said, bravely.
what experienced"
"Ten years in newspaper Office"
This was true. for while a mere child
she had assisted her father on the
Daily Bulletin, now among the miss
ing journals. Spencer looked intently
at the applicant. She seemed more
promising than the rest. Are you
sure you are 81? You look young, very
young r
Wilhelmina rose to the occasion. Her
assumption of offended dignity would
have deceived a keener man than
Spencer. =
I'm sorry, sir to have troubled you;
perhaps you require a certificate of
birth. Unfortunately | have none.
Good afternoon"
"Wait moment. Pardon me. You
do not understand why | am so par
ticular in regard TO age. There are a
dozen young idiots in my employ who
waste their time in attentions to a
younger woman. Harmless enough.
I'll admit. hut this is not a counting
school, and the work requires undi-
vided attention"
Il understand. was young once
myself" she sighed There was an
awkward silence.
"Thlrty-one is not Old said Spen-
Ger encouragingly. at only seems old
to fellows in the twenties.'
"Thlrty-one Is a respectable age and
needs no apology" was the tart reply.
Her gray eyes snapped and she looked
fierce.
She'll do" said Spencer to himself:
there will be no flirting Aloud he
said: Can you stay this morning and
help me out with ths?" indicating the
pile of manuscript.
Il shall be glad to begin at once"
was her reply. A half-dozen times
during the morning Wilhelmina caught
her employer looking curiously al her; |
she wondered il he suspected her de- |
celt At night he said pleasantly: II |
am well satisfied with what you have
DONE so she was engaged.
Much as she longed to appear her |
own pretty self Wilhelmina dared not |
put aside her dark unornamented gown |
and tightly drawn back hair. With |
these she assumed a dlgnifed, old-fash-
oned manner of speech and action that |
kept her youthful coworkers at a dis.
lance.
Her desk being in Spencer's office, |
and the fact that much Of their work
was done jointly, placed them on a IA
niliar footing. 1t was agreeable work,
Ind had she not been acting a part |
Wilhelmina would have thoroughly en-
|oyed It. A date in an article one day
led Spencer to tell his age. 2S. After
lhis she felt still more uncomfortable. |
aging to Alice: u wonder how he