The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-20
HE PRIVATE SECRETARY
By Edgar white.

uI.
 They bestowed the title out of cour- tesy. For five years she had really been the underpaid drudge for old Ca- leb Hartung, the grixzled senior mem Der of the law firm. If she hadn't been akin to angels she would never have put up with him half the time. She put his cratic bawfings--he cali- ed 1t dictation--into grampaticai shape, entertained or dismissed ~call- CTS, looked up decisions and kept run of his cases and papers. For this as- sumption of responsibility he was called upon to take with it the blame for every letter and paper the old nsan himelf misplaced. That she did all this cheerfuIly awakened scant appre- citation in his toii-caiioused heart Alt. CT running up the balances for a bad year. and concluding that retrench- ment was necessary. he thought of the private secretary" as first among the unnecessary appendages. Let's try cutting it somewhere else" suggested Robert Chamers, thoughtful looking man of 30, who constituted the lesser part of the arm. Suppose we shut of a few of the newspapers. reduce our cigar bill and"
 you are talking wild. Bob" said Hartung, patronifngiy; those things are fife's essentials. But we can do her work and never miss her. We'll be thirty to the good per month"
 A sum which leaves her about 25 cents week after paying board bill. carfare and for iunch." remarked Charners musingly. 'T wouldn't won der if she is bit attached to the old place"
 ''What of it? she'n get over 1t in two days and be glad of a change" When are you going to tell herr
 ffVvh y.-ar.-T fhnnUhf TH 1af vnt1 dO that" said the old man, trifie un- easily.
 "No,, thank you; this is your scheme. and you'd better engineer it."
 T say. Bob" remarked Hartung. smiling maliciousIy. "there isn't any thing of a--er-a personal nature be-
 Not at all Certainly notr" said
 Excuse me. [ thought that was why you objected to telling her"
 If that's what you thought, I'll show you" said Chamers.
 "You'll tell her yourselfT"
 Good boyi You know how to do 1t better and tell her the old man appre- ciates all she's done for the firm and all that, but we really must econo- mize."
 "on everything but newspapers. ci- RaTH ana -nlEnDallBE Don't be fool, Robert; I'm Inter- ested in your pocleet-book as well as my own"
 It was three days after this conver- sation before Bob Chamers mustered up courage to deliver the decree of banishment. The light-haired girl looked up from her busy desk with a tum.
 From the gravity of your face, MT. Chamers. judge the last jury was woefully (W'se," she said, banterinkly
 For years they had been good friends, and their close association had made them feel free with each other.
 Tt isn't the jury, Miss susie." said Chamers, slowly seating himself near her. T wish 1t was." A cloud swept over the. pretty face and she turned in her chair toward him.
 "The old man--that is. we have been thinking that maybe we could I mean the business has been so aw- full bad that he--we thought we'd have to let you go, Miss SuBie," said the junior partner. finishing desper- ateIy.
 You mean you are going to dis charge me?" she asked, In strangely calm voice.
 T wouldn't put 1t that way" he said. soothingly; you see. he--I mean we, of course--think we can't afford tho expense of a private secretary any longer" he went on hurriedly, deter mined to get over 1t as quick as pos- sible, and wondering why the matter agitated him so. But you don't mind now. I've been over to see Lawson & arubbs, the big law firm In the Con- tinental building. and 1t just happened by rare good luck they were in need of somebody, and l spoke for the job for you. And think, Susie-Miss Su- sic. mean-you'1l get SIP a weekw
 If the news caused any exuitation the pale features did not show 1t. The girl toyed with the papers on her desk and gazed vacantly at her ink wells.
 "Twelve dollars a week." she repeat ed, mechanically. Then, after dreary pause, When do I quit hsrs7"s -
 "oh, there's no hurry. You could stay till the first of the month. only those people are waiting for you You'll find them very pleasant"
 There was another interval of si- Ience. Chamers nervously picked up his hat and arose.
 'Youys Dss been 4arG good tSavs girl onDlaa miss and so has the old man, only he don't show 1t much. Fll--that is. we will miss you like everythingr
 'T thank you very much" was all she said still looking dumbly at the deer heads on her bronze inISstand.
 He started to the door, hesitated, looked back, then boldly turned and went out. As he descended in the ele- vator the troubled face was before him, and he wondered why his ection had seemed too reprehensible. He had tried to state the case as gently as possible, and yet from some quarter an insistent little voice was telling him he had made an awful botch of 1t. He left the elevator and walked to the exit. Then It occurred to him that he had always intended when sho left, that he would give her certain painting she had admired. and which was hanging in her office. She might be gone when he returned, so 1t was best to do it now.
 If you've forgotten anything up- stairs" said the elevator boy. who was accommodating beyond his kind, T can get it for you"
 Thank you, Billy" said Chamers, but this ia something I'll have to at tend to myself"
 He stepped to the door of. the pri- vate once and softly opened 1t. Sdsie's head was on her desk. and her arms were around It. The heaving bosom