The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-03-02

bell. He noticed during the forenoon
that the other employees called her
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.
A sudden summer shower was falling
and he had no umbrella He returned
to look for one.
Don't you go to dinner, Miss Neil
SOM"
mo; / live so far from here, and
dislike the crowded restaurants.
bring my luncheon"
well, don't know but what l will
have to telephone for mine. can't
find an umbrella"
Miss Nelson hesitated.
"My mother always puts twice as
much in my basket as l can eat. II
you would like some sandwiches-and
am making coffee"
| THAT sounds very inviting he re-
piled, and if you are sure you have
enough to divide, l will accept your
Offer
Mae was soon setting forth lunch
con- From the CUPBOARD she pro-
duced an alcohol coffee lamp and
while the coffee and steam were en-
gagged in vapory struggle she
brought forth little typewriting
table, and covering it with a couple of
napkins, laid out the contents of her
luncheon basket-lettuce sandwiches,
deviled eggs, cottage cheese, olives
and sugared doughnuts From the
cupboard she also fetched salt. pep
per, sugar and dishes-from the
water cooler bottle of cream
The manager looked on with amaze
ment and admiration at these little
housewifely acts.
Il didn't know the Office afforded
such capabilities" he exclaimed.
She laughed blithely.
"Of course | couldn't expect to live
so luxuriously in regular office, but
in this house with all it's conveniences
for keeping dishes and things it
seemed possible and pleasant"
When the coffee was made they sat
; down to cozy little meal.
81 never felt so domestic before"
he averred
Having boarded at hotel the
greater part of his life, with his mid
day meal snatched from nearby rail-
way station eating room, this dainty
little luncheon seemed to him most
palatable and digestible
81 haven't eaten such doughnuts
since l was a boy,' he exclaimed.
Nov. see here, Miss Nelson, why
couldn't we do this every noon? I'll
keep the larder there we'll supplied"
Could this be the grim manager!
She assured him he was perfectly vel
come to her hospitality, and there fol
lowed week of dainty little lunch
cons. In business hours she did not
VI presume upon their noon-time init
macy, but was as professional as here
i tofore. One day Alberts sat medi
e tating an invitation to Mae to attent
the theater that evening, he heard tn,
o cashier say:
Don't forget, Mae, that this is tn,
e night we take in the theater"
y "As if l could forget" she replied
with happy little laugh.
. The manager was particularly dis
agreeable during the rest of the day
u The next morning Campbell came t
him
"Mr Alberts," he asked, may l b
! out for an hour? l want to go to tn
L train to meet my wife"
His wife! And she went to tn
:. theater with married man, He CAV
= : the permission in his curtest tones
- Just before noon he stepped TO Mis-
Nelson's door and said, coldly:
: II lunch down town today
He saw a hurt look come into he
y beautiful eyes, but he staked away t
. tough beefsteak and muddy coffee.
. That afternoon Macs fingers fairl
: flew over the typewriter. At half afte
= four she came to the managers desl
y Mr.. Alberts, my letters are al
- copied and mailed. May be e,
. cused now"
=. yes he replied, shortly, wonder
8 ing grimly if she might be going t
. meet-a Neutrality-suspicious.
She pinned on her hat. took up he
;. gloves, purse and parasol and the
!. came to the telephone, which was i
u the dning-room.
"604, please Is this Mrs. Cam
:. bells residence? Why Alice, didn
'e recognize your voice-so long since
have heard it. How are you? Had
good time? Yes l am coming rigl
n up now. Got off early to-day"
AS she passed his desk the manage
. couldn't resist saying with a sneer:
Are you friend Of Mrs. Cam
ne bell's?'
"She is my sister" she replied
- surprised tones.
d. She passed out the door and II
y managers desk closed with a quio
% bang. He caught his hat and overtoe
nc her short way from the Office
"Mayn't l go with you?" he aske
~ humbly.
Her eyes frightened in unmistak
- able pleasure and the little wave
81 pink swept deliciously over her wi
~ some face.
g! eyes" she said, softly.