The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-02-24

felt rebuked. He dictated as fast q,
he could, hoping to derive some salts
faction from confusing her, but Their,
was not tongue in the establishment
too nimble for the supple fingers o.
the young stenographer to follow
While she busily clicked of the let
tiers the manager was accusing him
self Of injustice. It was not his place
to prescribe ethics for the office force
Most likely she was engaged to Camp
bell. He noticed during the forenoon
that the other employees called hel
Miss Nelson in tones most respectful
When the IL o'clock whistle blew Miss
Nelson did not leave with the others
The manager paused ON his way out
sAs Sudden simmer shower was falling
and he had no umbrella. He returned
to look for one. roi}aTSl
Don't you go to dinner, Miss Neil
son ?''O 10 stojs t.u al n0i
f'NoS Idive so; far from here, and
dislike the crowded Restaurants.
bring my luncheon.no2I so
fnr'Well,j Il don't know but what l will
have to telephone for mine. can't
find an umbrella" "a l-'e -
|, i. Miss Nelson ,hesitated, s
my mother, always puts twice as
much in my basket as, can eat. II
you would like some sandwiches-and
l. am gmaking Coffee lssg
Z 7"That sounds very Inviting" he re
piled, and if you are sure you have
enough to divide, will accept your
offer"
q Mae was soon setting forth a lunch
Seona From the CUPBOARD she pro
J duced- an alcohol coffee lamp and
While the coffee and steam were en-
gagged 81 in:%a sgapory& struggle she
brought forth a-lfttfe typewrfting
table, and covering it with aseoupley Of
napkins,s laid out the contents OF hel
luncheon basket lettuce Sandwiches
deviled eggs, cottage cheese, olives
and spgared doughnuts. From the
cupboard she also fetched salt, pep
per- Asagar land dishes-from; the
water cooler bottle of cream. lssss
The manager looked ON with amaze
,ment and admiration at these. sshttls
housewifely acts. 6SS
Il didn't know the office afforded
such capabilities he exclaimeds5s
She laughed blithely. iseSS
kF'Of course I couldn't expect to Hive
so luxuriously Id a regular office; .but
in this house with all its convenienceE
zforZz keeping dishes and things il
seemed possible and pleasant. " o. |
When the coffee was made they. sal
down to a cozy little meal $50
Il never felt SO domestic before
he averfed. IS
Having boarded at a hotel + the
greater part, Of his life, with his mid
day meal snatched from a nearby rail
way station eating room, this dainty
Little luncheon seemed to him mos
paIatabIe and digestible.
Il haven't eaten such doughnuts
since l was a boy" he exclaimed
Now, see here, Miss Nelson, why
couldn't We DO this every noon? II
keep the larder there we'll supplied"
Could this be the grim manager:
She assured him he was perfectly wei
come to her hospitality, and there fol
lowed week of dainty little lunch.
cons. In business hours she did moi
presume upon their noon-time init
macy, but was as professional as here
tofore. One day Alberts sat medi
tating an invitation to Mae to attend
the theater that evening, he heard the
cashier say:
Don't forget, Mae, that this Is the
night we take in the theater."~
CAS- if 1 could forget" she replied
with happy little laugh.
The manager was particularly dis
agreeable during the rest of the day
The next morning Campbell came to
him.
"Mr. Alberts," he asked, may I be
out for an hour? 1 want to so to the
train to meet my wife"
His wife! And she went to the
theater with a married man! He gave
the permission in his curtest tones
Just before noon he stepped to Miss
Nelson's door and said, coldly:
IuuCu uOWH Town LO-udy.
He saw a hurt look come into her
beautiful eyes, but he stalked away to
tough beefsteak and muddy coffee.
That afternoon Macs fingers fairly
flew over the typewriter. At half after
four she came to the managers desk
Mr.. Alberts, my letters are all
copied and. mailed. May be ex
cused now?'
Eyes" he replied, shortly, wonder
ing grimly if she might be going to
meet-a husband-perhaps.
She pinned on he hat, took up he1
gloves, purse and parasol and then
came to the telephone, which was in
the diningroom.
1904, please. Is this Mrs. Camp
bells residence? Why, Alice, didn't
recognize your voice-so long since
have heard it. How are you? Had a
good time? Yes. / am coming right
up now. Got off early to-day"
AS she passed his desk the manager
couldn't resist saying with sneer:
Are you a friend of Mrs. Camp
bell's?"
"She is my sister," she replied in
surprised tones.
She passed out the door and the
managers desk closed with a quick
bang. He caught his hat and overtool
her short way from the Office
"Mayn't 1 so with your he asked
humbly.
Her eyes frightened in unmistake
able pleasure and the little wave o.
pink swept deliciously over her win
some face.
Eyes," she said, softly.