The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-03-24
Copyright. 1900. BY Daily Story Pub. Coz
BY BELLE MANIATES


/ OHlOu w uccl COlupdAy "CAO
! building new Offices in front of
the factory. During the process Of
erection an unoccupied dwelling house
was rented and the manager, the
cashier, draughtsman and Mae Neil
son, a stenographer, recently added to
the payroll of the company, were in.
stalled therein.
The latter derived much amusement
from the novelty of pursuing Office
duties amid such domestic surround
ings. She insisted on referring to the
rooms by their original names. and
the other employees soon followed suit.
After few days it did not cause
laughter 10 hear that the draughts-
man was in the kitchen, the cashier
in the parlor, and the bookkeeper in
the hall The dining room was re-
served for the manager. who was abb
sent from the city when the offices
were moved.
Mae Nelson was assigned to the
pantry, an unusually large one with q
window looking on a flower garden
The shelves made convenient recep-
tacles for Office supplies.
When John Alberts, the manager,
returned from his trip he Immediately
asked the bookkeeper where the Ste
nographer was.
"She is in the Kitchen" replied the
bookkeeper. abstractedly.
"Where?" asked the astonished
manager. Then suddenly compre-
hending the plan of the house, he
grinned and passed on to the last
room, where he found his stenog-
rapher engaged in making a crock of
lemonade. For, on the first warm
day, she had organized lemonade
fund box and contributions thereto
had been generous.
She looked up expecting to see the
cashier, but when she saw the "un-
approachable boss" as-the bookkeeper
called him, she was covered with mo-
mentary confusion. AS for Alberts,
himself, he had scarcely glanced at the
new stenographer before. During the
few times he had dictated letters to
her he had not been conscious of what
manner of woman might be bending
over the notes, and at the close of the
dictation he had always quickly
walked away. Now he critically
scanned the dark, curling lashes, the
delicate skin, the scarlet lips and the
beautiful eyes.
Would you not like glass of
lemonade?" she asked, courteously, re-
covering her self-possession.
He would. 1t was a very warm day
and he was thirsty.
Il know it's out of hours" he said,
after finishing second glass of the
refreshing drinF but could you take
a letter now. Miss" He failed to
recall her name.
Certainly she replied. Come
into the pantry and she led the way
to her Office.
Little wrinkles of mirth crept into
the corners of his eyes
so, you work in the pantry! I'll
sit here in the window" he said, as
he looked about .or chair.
He mechanically III ,ated the letter
while he kept his eyes and attention
riveted on the golden-crowned head so
daintily poised over the book. AS he
rose to leave the room little bunch
Of spring blossoms on her desk caught
his eye and he found himself wonder
ing whether the bookheeper or cashier
had presented them.
The manager came down early to
the Office the next morning, but his
stenographer was already there; he
saw her gloves end parasol in the pam
try. He went into the kitchen and,
CHANGING to loon out of the window,
saw her bending over fiowerbed,
loosening the earth and removing
weeds. He was quickly at her side.
Let me do lhat," he said. taking
the trowel fro-1 her. "Do you engage
in this kind of worl ofter?"
Ever since we came over here.
discovered these f1owerbeds and it
seemed pity not to take care Of
them"
''There!" he said, presently rising.
''This is the first field work I've done
in years You have gathered quite a
bouquet, | see.'
Yes; l have had one every morn.
ing since we've been here
did the flowers on your desk yes
terday come from these beds?"
YES" she replied. surprised at the
question.
While the manager was opening his
mail I suddenly occurred to him that
he would like to know his stenog-
raphe;'s name. In few moments
Campbell. the cashier. went into the
pantry
Mar" he sad, here are the en-
closures for the Dixon letter"
The manager scowled his displeas.
ure Was she the kind of girl to let
men, especially men whom she met in
business. call her by her first name?
Presently he took his letters and
went to her desk. He Sid not sit on
the window this time.
What do people call you when they
don't know you we'll enough. to call
you by your flrst manner" he asked,
sarcastically.