The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-12
WHEN WIFE SERVES AS HIS
AMENUENStS.

Mr. Hartley is a dealer in old and
rare books. youthful in couItenance. good
looking. asd polite. especially toward wo-
men. Mrs. Hartley is a demure little
body who brushes Ger hair straight back,
after a fashion not many women dare at
( tempt and looks out upon the word
with sweet clear eyes. Until q few
months ago Mrs. Hartley acted as her
husbands amanuensis. and it was a real
deprivation to her when ill-health robbed
her of this pleasure. This summer when
Mr.. Hartley went abroad on his annual
business trip. ,drs. Hartley. with health
restored. again filed her pace. and the
young lady who had taken it temporarily
was released.
One morning after Mr.. Hartley's de-
parture Mrs. Hartley was seated at his
desk, when a clear. rather imperative
voice addressed her from the doorway:
rs Mr.. Hartley in?'
He is out of the city. Mrs. Hartley
arose. DO you wish TO leave a message
for him?''
A look of vexation clouded the face OF
the girl in the doorway. She was pretty
in a babyish fashion, and had appealing
blue eyes. 1T is too perfectly provok-
ing with a little pout. Il wanted par
ticularly to see him.
IF it is anything 1 can Mrs. Hart
ley began politely only to be interrupted:
But you can't. 1t is something that
has to be just between Mr.. Hartley AMI
me We are such dear, dear friends.
am Miss White
'Yes?" 4 slightly amused smile crept
into the clear. sweet eyes. Matters Were
becoming interesting.
IF only the other clerk were here-you
have taken her place ! suppose"
h.
6impled her cheek.
II suppose ! might leave my message
with you-but. when will Mr.. Hartley be
back?"a
1t is uncertain
Then. I will write Good-morning''
A day or two later as Mrs. Hartley was
opening her husbands mail she came
across faintly-scented. pink-tinted note.
which began: My dear, dear Mr.. Hart
ley" and was signed, Ever faithfully
yours, Margaret White" The writer in
formed him that she was sending for his
perusal little love story and that moth
ing short of sympathetic bond between
them had led her to do this. with the
belief that he. and he alone. was capable
of judging her art as writer.
Mrs. Hartley read the note with amused
eyes. then forwarded it to her husband.
A week later Miss Margaret White made
her appearance with a radiant eagerness
which Immediately vanished when she
was informed that Mr.. Hartley had not
yet returned.
But I have sent your letter to him
and placed your story in the safe to
await his coming" Mrs. Hartley ex-
planned.
My letter, 1t was marked private. l
thoughtI did not know that Mr.. Hart
ley's clerks opened his private mail,
Miss White cried Indignantly.
Ordinarily she does not Mrs. Hart
Fey answered quietly. But I happen 10
be Mr. Hartleys wife as well as his
amanuensis.'
For an instant the baby eyes wavered,
then faint smile crept into them. How
very delightful" said their owner ambis-
uously. s'And will you please say 20
Mr.. Hartley upon his return that 1 will
come in when l find leisure to receive
his verdict of my poor little story. Good
morning" and with a bow Miss Margaret
White fitted away.
II don't think she will find leisure
soon," Mrs. Hartley laughed TO herself as
she went back to the desk. LAS for Wal
ter, he'll either have to be less nice to the
women folk who come in here, or else
he'll have to send out another lot of
announcement ds.'-Chicago Record
Herald.