The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-04-07
BRADFORD,S
CONVERSION
BY CECILY ALLEN
Copyright. 1901, bp X. A. Waueheud

George Bradford, purchasing bro
ker," read the girl, hesitating before
the door. She extracted tiny newspa
per clipping from her purse and re-
read It:
wanted.-A stenograrher; male prefer
red. 1e Exchange place. q. b.
With trepidation she opened the door
and entered small, unprepossessins
Office room.
Good morning" said Bradford. ris-
Ing and then sitting down abruptly
Business was business.
"Mr. Bradfordi" asked the girl, hand,
Ing him the clipping. This is your
advertisement, believe"
I'll had in mind young man." be-
gan 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-weii,
lie was determined to make money first
and love nfterward.
Yes, male preferred is stated in
your advertisement" acknowledged the
girl, but wanted a position, my first
one, very much, and-well, I've come
to see II fate will be kind"
1t was just like a girl to introduce
such filmy, uncertain elements as fate
into business! And yet Bradford was
not so prejudiced as he had been ten
Office was brighter already. Then there
was another NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. de-
manded smaller remuneration for their
work, and this was still n matter Of
moment with Bradford.
''This-er-you say Is your first posi-
tion7" ventured Bradford, admitting
unconsciously that the place was hers
already.
The girl saw this, but was too tact
ful to give evidence of the fact. YES"
she said. II have Just finished my
course I'm sterography."
Bradford liked her soft, well modu-
lated voice. 1t would sound well to
his customers over the phone. 4 mans
voice would not sound half so well.
"Office work is conf1ning," he sug,
gested by way Of discouraglng her.
make her way in the world she puts
OH n smile and faces the worst" she
replied, with Just suspicion Of an
accent on the last word and with an
undeniably roguish twinkle in her eyes.
She could not quite cast aside the man-
ner that had been her charm in the
wings and fly. but innate coquetry Is
not to be stlfied by mere financial de-
preston.
Bradford could not deny that her
smile had individuality. lie wonder
ed 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 clean
er. He would certainly speak to the
woman who scrubbed and busted in the
building.
"And-about-about salary 2" he ask
ed awkwardly. 1t was NIL rot-tLis
women in business idea. They had no
right there. He would have man.
He felt like n cad talking to a woman
about salary. What did she know Of
Of business?
'I believe 1t 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 tie transaction, named
the amount which he had had in mind
when inserting the lad"
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.
Henderson - Marjorie Henderson" "
she said, smiling.
"And when will you comeT Brad.
ford surprised himself Mt the way in
which he let her suit her own con-
vcnience.
That. too, Is your prerogative," she
replied, an odd little expression Of def
erence in her eyes
Tomorrow? Is that too soonT He
had not expected to have his stenog-
rapher until the following week, but,
after all, no doubt the sooner he had
one the sooner his business letters
would commence to bring good re-
suits.
VERY well, tomorrow. And at what
hourT This man had not told her
anything Of his demands upon his en-
ployees. She had fancied herself de-
parting with list Of rules a page long
to all OF which she must adhere rigidly
"Oh, about 8:30," ne said. He had
decided when he had inserted the ad.
vertisement that he would get to bust.
ness earlier and have bis stenographer
there with him. Butch, well, women
should not hase to get down too soon
1t was hard OH them.
II will be here at that hour. Mr.
Bradford, thank you." And she closed
tho door