The San Francisco call., 1904-11-14


With trepidation she opened the
door and entered a small, unprepos-
sessing office room.
GOOD morning" said Bradford RS
ing and then sitting down abruptly
Business was business.
"Mr. Bradford?" asked the GIRL
handing him the clipping. This Is
your advertisement, believe ?"
II had in mind young man
began Bradford, obviously i'll at ease
He had never associated with women
either socially or in business. In the
latter capacity he had strongly disap-
proved of the sex; in the former
we'll, he was determined to make
money first and love afterward.
Yes, male preferred is stated in
your advertisement" acknowledged
the girl, "but wanted a position, my
first one, very much and-wen, I've
come to see If Fate will be kind"
1t was just like a girl to introduce
such flmy, uncertain elements as Fate
into business! And yet Bradford was
not so prejudiced as he had been ten
minutes before. He fancied the dingy
office was brighter already. Then,
there was another consideration;
women demanded smaller renumera-
ton for their work, and this was still
a matter of moment with Bradford.
''This-er, you say is your first po-
sition ?" ventured Bradford, admit
ting, unconsciousIy, that the place was
hers already.
The girl saw this. but was too tact
full to give evidence Of the fact. Yes"
she said. Il have just finished my
course in stenography."
Bradford liked her soft. well-modu-
lated voice. 1t would sound well
to his customers over the phone. A
mans voice would not sound half so
well.
office work is conhning," he sug-
gested, by way of discouraging her.
YES; but when a woman has to
make her way in the world. she puts
on a smile and faces the worst" she
replied, with just a suspicion of an
accent on the last word and with an
undeniably roguish twinkle in her
eyes. She could not quite cast aside
the manner that had been her charm
in the old life. Family fortunes may
take wings and fly, but innate coquetry
is not to be stified by mere financial
depression
Bradford could not deny that her
smile had individuality. He wondered
why the women he had been forced to
meet had never smiled in just that way.
He never knew why, but he suddenly
wished the Office were cleaner. He
would certainly speak to the woman
who scrubbed and busted In the build
ing.
"And-about-abouts salary7' he ask
ed awkwardly. 1t was all rot-this
woman-in- business idea They had no
right there. He would have a man. He
felt like a cad talking to a woman
about salary. What did she know Of
of businesS2
II believe Il is the employers pre-
rogative to name the salary" said the
girl simply.
Bradford after searching hopelessly
in his mind for a combination of
words and figures in which to adjust
the financial end Of the transaction
named the amount which he had had
in mind when inserting the "ad."
That will do very nicely" said the
girl rising. After all. this business
life was not so hard-men were not SO
heartless.
And your name?" asked Bradford.
Marjorie Henderson"
she said, smiling.
And when will you comet" Brad
ford surprised himself at the way in
which he let her suit her own con-
venience.
THAT, too, is your prerogative." she
replied, an odd little expression Of def
erence in her eyes.
Tomorrow? Is that too soon7"
He had not expected to have his stem
ographer until the following week.
but, after all, no doubt the sooner he
had one, the sooner his business let
ters would commence to bring good re-
suits.
Very well, tomorrow. And at what
hour?" This man had not told her
anything of his demands upon his en-
ployes. She had fancied herself de-
parting with list of rules page long.
to all of which she must adhere rigidly.
"Oh, about $780," he said. He had
decided when he had inserted the
advertisement that he would get to
business earlier and have his stenog-
rapher there with him. But-oh, we'll,
women should not have to get down
too soon; it was hard on them.
IT will be there at that hour, Mr..
Bradford, thank you" And she closed
the door.
Alone, Bradford lit a cigar and
leaned back in his desk chair. What
had he done? He had engaged a
woman, girl, as a stenographer! She
would always be in the office; he could
not swear-he wondered if he should
smoke-neither could he take off his
coat and put his feet on his desk when
he wanted to think things out and
bring an unruly customer to time.
But the next morning found him
eagerly waiting for $50. He could
not tell why, but the appearance of
trim little tailor-clad figure in the
doorway made him glad.
Il may put my hat on your
nh