The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-08-28
p*@x ere X q
! "A BACH IELOR
/ GODDESS.
, The Story OF a Woman Halter and
How He Was Converted.

All women are divided into two
classes either designing adventuresses
or simpering dolts. AS for me-" quoth
Halbeft cynnally, give me the first
every time. You can trust to an adj
ventures to have a little gray matter
at least In her Uranium" He was talk
ing to his secretary, young Allen, cal
low youth, almost effeminate, but nev-
ertheleSs brainy, too brainy, as Hal
bert expressed 1t, for his size and
weight. Allen had got used to these
sinister observations concerning wom-
] ankind and rarely ever offered any
comment either to agree ca to refute
the others statements. These two Ii
4 diyiduals were study for one anotil
er. The hour IN which Alien accepted
the position OF private secretary, a
short time before, they found a pleas
ant communion of tastes and ideas and
a peculiar inexpficable sympathy OF
feeling that seemed to have puzzled
4 both
Halbert was confirmed bachelor.
He boasted Of never having proposed
to any woman He was afraid Of
them. In his estimation they were all
I scheming politicians and ready to mar
4 ry him or any man at a moments no
tice. Keep the women away from
mer' snaried Halbert at times when
driven by force to a crush. sid rather
smoke or sleep" And the little secre-
tary, with his strong. boyish ardor,
kept them far away and comforted
Halbert with his companionable ST.
lence.
The one measure in Aliens make up
which Halbert could not understand
Was his reluctance to smoke. He could
never get him to indulge even In a
cigarette. And IN the matter of drink
ing though Allen could mix punch or
a cocktail with comrnendable art he
brought them untasted to Halbert as
kind of offering to that exalted
wretch.
You should have been woman, by
4 gad." Haibert said once to him "a
thousand pardons. Allen, but you
would have made fine looking girl
You've got grace and tact enough for
1t. you know. Why, believe me, Allen,
/ II there were women like you today
with the brain and all. believe I'd
marry one Of them" Allen actually
blushed and retreated in confusion
Halbert liked this display Of apparent
shyness, and his affection for the boy
/ Ia - ell IL 81,
back and he said be felt lonesome
when the chap was away II teil you
what, Alien, | don't know whether to
adopt you as my son, considering the
fact that l shall never have one OF my
own, or whether to let things slide on
as formerly and just double your sal
ary."
Things slid on as formerly until HAA-
bert announced hunting trip to Abys-
sfnia. He had actually compieted plans
for both and was sketchinH out In his
imagination the delicious camaraderse
of two In a tent in the wilds of Africa
when ALLEN ANNOUNCED his intention to
resign.
you ungratefui beggar, you can't re-
stgn." Haibeft shouted. "Why, my
boy. can't go without you. What's
the ma<terY"
'Srhe fact OF the matter rs, SIR" Allen
replied respectfully. II don't want to
go with you-"
1t was blow. and 1t landed between
Halberts eyes. He loved Allen If he
ever loved any being ON earth. and this
was the first time that he ever had
been thwarted. Not given to sentiment
on pleading. be nursed his agony 81
lently, for Aliens abruptness stung
him with all the agony Of unffital In
gratitude, OF unreQuited love. of tFeach-
cry in fraend-everythfng. 1t panied
HalbeEt as he had never been patned
before. That afternoon he ordered his
horse for hong ride and went out de-
jectedly with a load on his shoulders.
He wanted to puzzle out the situation
He had never to plead with any one
before In his life for what he wanted.
and he hated to plead now It might
seem humanity, he feared. He went
out without calling to Aflen. and he
did not return for dinner
The secretary In the meantime .feft
an unhappy sinking OF his heart as the
hours dragged by and Halbes$ did not
return. II was hts custom nj least 10
return to dress for the evening. espe-
cially If he meant to dine out and hts
continued absence made Alien uneasy
He did not know whether Halbeat
cared about his refusal to accompany
him. but he knew that he himself
cared, and be felt he could not ac
quaint his friend with the real reason
until he had actually gone.
At O'Clock Halbert came baciS-not
exactly on ssiSschet Int leaning on
the avui cS his vah< He had had
had fill somewhere ON the Riverside
drive. AMI liz had turned hts elbow
badly -syrhined 1t. in fact They had
actually subjected him to the annoy
ance Of carrying him to hospital he
cause he had been too da1ed 20 regno7l.
strate. and when his mind was eventu,
ally clear he demanded removal to his
own rooms.
His valet settled him comfortably on
Tiyan ami ikti ivft the room when
HaiiSft sank into II light sfumbcr. In
few mons SIss Allen came In, white.
hAggaid. limp with anxiety. and stood
there looking at HailAft with startled
pain IN his gaze; then, with sudden.
incoqtioilahe impulse. Ike kneit down
beside the divan for moment and.
grasping one of the sufferers hands in
his own, pressed 1t to his lips with a
sob of distress and pain
Haibert opened his eyes and turned