The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-07
THE MANAGER
 SOPHISTICATED
Bx B1;LLE lGANxATM

During the process of erection an un-
 occupied dwelling house was rented and
 the manager. the cashier. traughtsnau
 and Mae Nelson. .steuographer, re.
 gently added to the payroll of the com pany, were installed therein. I The latter derived much emusement from the novelty of pursuing of7ice t1u-
 ties amid such domestic surroupadnrs. She insisted on referrins to the roossss
 by their original names; and the other employees soon followed suit After a
 few days t did not cause laughter to
 hear that the draughtsman was in the
 kitchen. the cashier in the parlor, and the bookkeeper in the faII. The dining
 room was reserved for the manager. who was absent from the city when the offices we're moved.
 Mae Nelson was assigned to the pam try, an unusually large one with a win dow looking on a flower garden. The
 shelves made convenient receptacles for office supplies.
 When John Aiberts. the manager, rs. turned from his trip he immediately ask ed the bookkeeper where the stenogra- pher was.
 ''She is in the kitchen" replied the bookkeeper, abstractediy. .'Where?" asked the astonished mana ger. Then suddenly comprehending the | Rtoh OA LaC ho6SCs ttG iuuiACu anu H8&&6U on to the last room, where he found his
 stenographer engaged in making crock of lemonade For, on the first warm day, she had organised lemonade fund
 box and contributions thereto had been generous.
 She looked up expecting to see the cashier, but when she saw the ''unap- proachable boss,' as the bookkeeper call
 ed him. she was covered with momentary l<.<.sx xf,.wlx Aa HA~ Exa~ had scarcely glanced at the new sten- ographer before. During tho few times
 he had dictated letters to her he had not | been conscious of what manner of wo- man 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 Iash- l es. the delicate skin, the scarlet lips and the beautiful eyes.
 Would you not Nike glass of lemon- adef" she asked, courteously, recover ing her self-possession. He would. It was a very warm day and he was thirsty.
 ,'1 know its out of tours," he said, after finishing second glass of the refresh- ing drink, but could you take a letter
 now, Miss" lie failed to recall her name.
 Certainly" she replied. Come Into the pantry. and she led the way to her office. Little wrinkles of nsIrth crept into the corners of his eyes, So you work in the pantryi I'll sit here in the window" he said, as he looked about for chair. He mechanically dictated the letter
 while he kept his eyes and attention riv-
 eted on the golden-crowned head so dain.
 tily 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 wondering wheth- CT the b0okkeeper or cashier had pre-
 sented them.
 The manager came down early to the otfice the next morning, but his stenogra- pher was already there: he saw her gloves and parasoi in the pantfy. He went into the Kitchen an, chancing to look out of
 the. window, saw her, bonding over a
 fowerbed leosening the earth and re.
 moving wesds. He was quickly at her
 Let me, do that he sald. taking the
 trowel from her. DO you engage in this kind of work often?" Ever since we came over here. dis. covered these fiowerbeds and 1t seemed 8 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 ssthered quite a bou- quet, I seeF
 ''Yes; have had one every morning since we've been here" Did the flowers on your desk yester- day come from these beds3s'' Yes" she replied, surprised at the question. While the manager was opening his | mail 1t suddenly occurred to him that | he would like to know his stenographer's
 name. In a few moments Campbell. the
 cashier. went into the pantry. l Mae" he said, here are the enclos- ures for the Dixon letter" The manager scowled his displeasure. Was she the kind of girl to let men, l especially men whom she met in bus-
 mess. call her by her first names l Presently he took his letters and went | to her desk. He did not sit on the win
 dow this time.
 What do people call you when they
 don't know you we'll enough to call you | by your first name?'' he asked, sarcas- | ticalIy.
 She looked up at him in surprise. a
 transparent pink coming into her cheeks i at his caustic tones. My name Is Mae Nelson" she said, l quietly, opening her note book and plac- ing her pencil on the first red line, await
 ing his dictation. He felt rebul1ed. He I dlctateo as fast as he could, hoping to
 derive some satisfaction from confusing I her, but there was not a tongue in the establishment too nimble for the supple | fingers of the young stenographer to fol- low. While she busily clicked off the , letters 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 Campbell. He
 noticed during the forenoon that the oth-
 CT employees called her Miss Nelson in tones most respectful. When the 12 o'clock whistle blew Miss Nelson dId
 not leave with the others. The manager
 paused on his way out A sudden sum
 mer shower was falling and he had no
 umbrella. He returned to look for one.
 Don't you go to dinner, Miss Nell
 son?''
 No; I live SO far from here, and dislike the crowded restaurants. bring my luncheon."
 Well, I don't know but what I will
 have to telephone for mine. can't find an umbrella
 Miss Nelson hesltated.
 My mother always puts twice as much in my basket as I can eat. If you would like some sandwicheS-and I am making
 coffee"
 That sounds very inviting" he re-
 piled, and if you are sure you have
 enough to divide, I will accept your off, fer"
 Mae was soon setting forth luncheon.
 From the cupboard she produced an ale | cohol coffee lamp and while the coffee | struggle she brought forth a little type | fah AA x.ylN