The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-03-14
a PRETTY - -
- - COMPANI
BY Louise Bedford.

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should win for her the situation she
so lOnged to obtain?
Il shall send her my prettiest photo,
Neville" she said, after her brief self
survey.
"You don't even know the sex of
the advertiser. 1t may be widower
advertising darkly for number two,"
suggested her brother.
Janetta laid down her pen in some
alarm.
Il don't care" she said; II shall
write and send my photo and refer
ences. The answer will tell us all
about it. l think it's very rich old
maid, with poodle and a parrot.
shall probably have to wash the
poodle, and play pretty Poll with
endless Jumps of sugar, and get my
fingers well packed in the process.
There! my letter is at any rate short
and to the point. Will it do?" she
said, tossing it over to Neville.
ga man could not have put the thing
better. Old maid or widower, l would
close with you at once if were the
advertiser. You write a short note
and pretty hand"
Very we'll, We'll so out and post
it," said Janetta, stretching out her
hand for her hat. May good luck
attend it,"
She received an answer by return
Of post. The pointed handwriting in
which the letter was written was Of
the style prevalent about 40 years
ago.
IAN old maid! Look at the writ
ing!" cried Janetta triumphantly, as
she opened the envelope.
There is a modern brevity about
it," said Neville, peeping over her
shoulder. Read it out, there's a
dear"
Dear Madam: I think you seem
likely to suit me. The salary I offer
is ESQ pounds a year; but shall be
willing to raise it at the end of the
first quarter if we find we get on to-
gether. Will you come for month
and see how you like it, beginning on
Monday?
Can you leave by the train which
starts from Paddington at 2 o'clock?
l shall be sending to Northcliff Sta
ton meet friend, and you could come
by the same carriage. Wire reply.
Believe me, faithfully yours,
''(Miss) Clarice Seymour"
Janetta and her brother burst into
simultaneous laugh when she finished
the letter.
Either the woman is lunatic Or
it's hoax" said Neville.
I'll go and see for myself. It's too
good an opening to miss. Sixty pounds
year for doing nothing, apparently
No mention even of the poodle or the
parrot. Anyhow, it's genuine place:
I've looked it out in the Gazetteer :"
Thus it came to pass that, an the
Monday following, Janetta and Neville
paced up and down Paddington sta
ton together, both their hearts too
full Of the approaching separation to
trust themselves to speak of It.
Instead, they talked of trivialties,
watched the other passengers as they
hurried down the platform to the
train, commenting idly upon them.
Look, Neville! what a handsome
man that is getting into the first-class
carriage not far from my humble
third. If he were a girl, and applied
for my situation, should not have
a chance, should l? He's so very good
looking!"
The man in question turned, as if
he had heard the remark, glancing at
the brother and sister, who had come
to halt before the carriage in which
Janetta had placed her rugs.
The glance was but momentary. He
signed to the porter, who followed
him, to hand in his belongings, jumped
into the carriage, and closed the door.
II believe he heard you, Jennie"
said Neville quickly.
IF he did it can't matter. We shall
never meet again, and it can't be the
first time that he's heard he's good
looking said Janetta, with a little
laugh.
ooh, Neville, must get in! l don't
know how to say good-by. will write
tonight. Good-by, dear; good-by.
Jump in minute, must kiss you;
and you'll keep steady, for my sake?"
The last words were said in a wills
per.
"All right, don't bother!" said Ne
vile, horribly ashamed of the fact that
there were tears in his eyes.
CHAPTER II,
In few minutes more the train was
! putting slowly from the station, and
Janetta, who had craned her neck from
the carriage to obtain farewell smile
from Neville, sank back into her cor
ner, with plenty of time before her
in which to consider her prospects and
her fellow travellers.
The latter were singularly uninter-
esting. with the exception of little
girl not more than two years old, who
sat just opposite Janetta, regarding
her with thoughtful eyes.
Pretty" she said presently, stretch
| Ing out her arms TO come to her. And