The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-04-12
A QUEER BLUNDEP.


,otters on the sign above TIE entrance
70 the staunch old warehouse. but its
radiance was lost on the young man
with keen, gray eyes who stood at the
of8ce door and hesitated before he
turned the knob. In that brief mo-
mont 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
annreciate him" And Spencer Grant
wondered how long it would be before
this apprecative stage could be
reached. He hadn't met this peculiar
father, and here he vas 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 Won to do. Let him have his own
way. II 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
coyer the way to handle him. Tell
him truthfully, if you have a chance.
how we met at Aunt Stanhope's, and
that as soon 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
inc. 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 babe
him come in. Spencer summed up all
bis resolution and entered.
A sharp-featured old man, with
heavy eyebrows was seated at a desk,
with his bushy gray head bent above
Z 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
q long, searching glance. AS he did
30 he drew a letter toward him anI
glanced ct a page of it, Again he
stared at Spencer.
Well" he said abruptly, "you are
exactly on time. You were to be nerc
precisely at 10. This argues well for
your early training. You have made
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 l couldn't
help but know who you were if |
CHANGED to meet you anywhere. |
,aont agree with him, though there is
. 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. Emily's father
was laboring under some queer delu-
sion. But he didn't mean to contra
dict him.
yes, he did," chuckled the old man,
witn grim smile. Fathers with but
one child are apt to be asses" Then
nls tone changed. what can you do?
lsn you write shorthand? Do you un-
aerstand typewriting? Can you com
Iose a good letter? Can you spell:"
think" said Spencer quietly, ''that
can best answer that by saying that
nave pretty thorough business
Iiaining that was picked up in four
ears ct practical work. I've been
aard at 1t, in fact, ever since l left
'ollege."
Your father doesn't make any such
la'm, said the old man, referring
yam to the letter. "All he says is
try nim. l will I've made a place
q you. ! am going to indulge in
- luxury OF a private secretary. Ha,
4 na! Here, take these letters. See
saat !. answers they need. Answer 'em.
mats your little side room there.
lave the door open-I may want to
al you.'
Spencer smilingly took the letters
- Without trace Of hesitation went
~ tne little room assigned him. He
yuaa u, the conveniences he needed, and
~ MS amused smile deepening he
'ent at his task.
PRESENTLY he heard the outer door of
Y omce- open and shut, and a mo-
. ~. later the following dialogue came
MN through the half-closed door:
L y yon have come" growled the
q man..
I, les. SIR said a mild voice with a
...e qrayer in it.
wen, said the old man with a
!, ,,serous rising infection, 81 want to
/" s you that it can neyer> be-"
~ you mean thai won't do?" IN
afed the mild voice
nat Just what I mean" snariei !
I Ola man. Your comprehension
= you credit"
y. now. can you tell till you've
~ ~ me! protested the mild voice.
you! roared the old man
n 1At 90 you mean hY that 2"