The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-06
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E9a G9!I headache. and when the
malady came upon her she
shot off opinions like a Gatling gun.
Most of the employees in the Rudy
Prudy offices knew this. and ignored
her until she felt better; but Burk,
who was different from the others,
stood up bravely and drew her fire.
Now. see here. Miss Hammars,'
said he. speaking with the slight
brogue common to Irishmen three gen.
erations removed from the old sod.
"you must not excite yourself over all
these little questions of moral law;
tits not at all necessary that you do 1t,
and it drags on your nerves. What
odds does it make whether this alb
stract question or that absracter one
is held in q different light by some
people than you hold it yourself? Not
a bit, / think. And yet you go at
them as If they were pickles, and you
were starving. IT'S proftless bIsi-
ness"
That is simply your opinion. Mr..
Burk," said the typewriter girl. land
your opinion-or that Of any man-ls
not held in the highest of esteem by
me-"
II am panied to hear you say it," re-
turned Burk. for it indicates that you
hold an unhealthy view of life, and
tits liable to strike in. like the measles.
am afraid you have been reading
something you shouldn't. Miss Ham
mars-poetry or something like that.
All poets are either crazy or melan-
choly. and you shouldn't do it. There
was one once whose landlord changed
his mind about waiting forever for the
rent. Did you ever hear of that one?
He reeled back to his garret room,
when the interview with the landloard
was over, and tore his hair in fine
and dashed off one solitary line. He'd
have dashed off more. for it was in him
to do it, if he'd had enough ink; but
that line was enough. Men are deceiv-
ers ever is what the line was, and he
meant the landlord and no one else at
all I think heard you use the ex-
preston yourself bit ago, and you
thought it applied to men in their
relations with men, instead of land
lords; now, didn't you:"
The typewriter girl ignored the ques-
tion. Mr. Burk," said she with dig
nifty. Il wish you would do me the
favor Of remaining out of the office at
noon until the other bookkeepers re-
turn. I am compelled to eat my lunch
here, and you annoy me-"
Burk laughed. Il wouldn't annoy
you for the world" he said. seating
himself and putting his thumbs into
the armholeS of his vest; but I feel
that it's my duty to set you right Oh
some matters. Men aren't any more
deceitful than women, only their deceit
is. sometimes of a different sort-lower.
more earthly. Now, the poet OF
whom"
please do not utter more falsehools
about that great rian," said the tyne
writer girl: "he is friend Of mine.
and he is dead
Wont you listen to one or two more
If III swear that they're true?' per-
sisted Burk. He drew his face down
gravely and looked straight into the
typewriter girls heavy eyes.
She lifted her gaze suddenly and her
lip quivered in premonition of hys-
terics-the harmless sort Of Mysteries
that come during Office hours. No"
said she: mot even if you were to
swear that they. are true-which is
ridiculous. Men are deceivers. We
who read the daily papers know that
even had we TO eyes TO see or ears to
hear. do not say that men are bur.
dened with the responsibility of deceit
the women assume that: but do
say that it is wrong that women should
bear the punishment invar;ably.'
"Then, why 90 women do it?" asked
Burk.
THE world throws it upon them;
they cannot choose" replied the type
writer girl bitterly.
.Burk glanced at the desks on the
other side Of the room. then from the
window into the street. Miss Ham
mars said he softly, I'D like to tell
you a bit Of story about man knew
. once, and woman. Maybe you can
help me to understand it-for it is n
black mystery to ne. nothing less. Will
you lsten"'
The typewriter girl passed her hand
wearily across her forehead, and q
smile fitted across her face. II sup
pose So" she said rather ungraciously
Tomorrow night, when we walk TO
your boarding place together?' he
Gueried with some show OF eagerness.
He spoke as if it were 4 regular Oc-
currence for thcm 10 walk to her board
ing place together. whereas in truth
they had never done so.
The smile upon the typewriter girls
face ceased fitting and became al ef-
fulgence. Yes" said she.
Every We'll" said Burk.
A moment later he was upon his high
stool. driving his pen ut a rrodigious
pace. while his mind-to use his own
expression-kept pace with it in all
other direction.
Sure" he told himself. Il can afford
to. and she's deserving Of me. Bless
her poor. tired eyes and aching back:
What if she is q trfie high strung:
That's the thoroughbred in her. Yes.
yesr'
He cnuckled audibly and conjured