The Western news., 1903-04-15


Colonel came home, he said; he was q
beginner himself, and his correspond
ence was very light-as yet He even
helped her make ready her desk, show
ed her the little closet where she might
hang her hat, and then he tried to think
of some unanswered letter or some
business unattended, some excuse for
trying OUT the new stenographer.
A letter to his father furnished the
only chance he could think of, and he
coughed two or three times, fidgeted
with his collar and-actually blushed
before he could summon nerve enough
to say: "Will you take letter, please,
Miss BlaisdellY' He asked it as IL he
were asking favor, and he felt that
he was. 1t seemed trife presumptu.
GUS for him to thus command SO beauti-
paper and pencil and looked into his
eyes with almost feverish interest,
watching his lips as he spoke the hesi-
tating words, smiling delightfully."- at the
little jokes and banterings with which
he interspersed the letter to his father
in Boston.
1t wasn't very long letter, but the
noon bell was ringing before it was fin
ished, and he bade her go to her lunch
and don't hurry back" As for him.
he went to club, as usual, and at 8
o'clock, when he returned, Miss Blais-
dell was sitting in her place, cooler,
handsomer, more gracious than ever.
The typewriter letter and addressed
envelopes were OH his desk. He picked
them up with no intention Of severe
criticism, but he could not help admir-
ing the perfect workmanship, the taste
full spacing, the accurate punctuation.
She had even changed, and he thought
improved, his style and manner Of ex-
preston. f.
He looked up and smiled when he
saw that she was watching him with
anxious curiosity.
"Do you think I'll do?" she asked,
with blush that seemed to enhance
the perfect beauty of her animated face
dor" he answered with pleased sur
prise. ITS perfect We're lucky to
get you, Miss Blaisdell."
And SO matters went while Col
Houghteling was abroad, though Frank
transacted little business, and half Of
the letters he dictated were wholly un-
necessary. Try as he might, he was al
ways finished with his dictations in the
forenoon, and in the afternoon his let
ters, always an improvement upon his
own language, were ready on his desk
But the very first day after the Colo
neps return the idyllic charm of Miss
Blaisdell's presence was disturbed. He
bolted to her desk and hurriedly die
tated letter. "Give me the typewrit-
ten copy at once! he blurted, rushing
out. When he was gone Frank stole q
glance at the girl. There were tears In
her noble eyes, her hand was trembling
and the culver OF suppressed sob was
about the matchless mouth.
Don't mind him, Catherine-Miss
Blaisdell," he said; "he doesn't mean
to be rude; he's rushed, he's
"Oh, it isn't that" she said, coming
over and whispering; Il ought to have
told you, but l was so anxious to stay,
was afraid you'd discharge me, but,
Mister Dudley, lin very-I can't
read my own shorthand! /"
"How on earth did you do my letters,
then, Miss Catherine? How"
Il took them over to the shorthand
school at noon, and--oh, know it was
deceitful, but l thought I'd learn fast
enough to be ready for the Colonel and
how he'll find me OUT
Her hand, that large, white, appeal
ing hand was on the arm Of his chair,
and he took it in his, daring yet
scared look in his eyes as he looked into,
hers, and said:
Catherine, 1--we been intending to,
to discharge you for the last week !;
in fact since the first day l saw you."
She stood up and let him hold her
hands, smiling now through her tears,
as he whispered:
Il think can square things with the,
Colonel now, Kate."-Chicago Record
Herald.