Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-01-25
Mr.. SCOTS Private
Secretary
By LESLIE THRAIE


tc0pyrisA. 1905, BY Joseph .. sowlsa)
Joshua Scott, the eminent financieI
and millionaire. sat In his study ons
fine spring morning examining the
contents Of his correspondence. Fol-
the time being he was without o pri'
vate secretary. Mr.. Travers. the gen
tleman who had fulfilled that onerous
position. had been Indignantly dis
missed on the previous day for de-
handing q substantial increase In his
salary.
Mr.. Scott was interrupted by the en-
trance Of footman. who presented him
with visiting card.
Mr.. Scott frowned. On the card was
inscribed: Miss Marion Thomas,
and underneath In pencil were the
words: please grant me IN inter-
view, for my mothers sake"
Twenty-Five years before the time
Of this story, Mr.. SCOTS only sister
Martha had committed what her
brother considered the irrevocable
crime OF running on with and marry
ing Henry Thomas, her music master.
Her family had Immediately declined
to have anything more to do with her.
but eventually Mr.. Scott had 30 far
relented as to allow her small sum
Of money per annum. on the condition
that she never again attempted to as
sert her position in the family.
After ten years Of married life Mrs.
Thomas died. leaving her husband
with one little girl: whereupon Mr..
Scott had discontinued the allowance
and had never in any way recognized
his sisters husband or taken the least
notice Of his niece.
shes come to beg. Of course" he
said to himself, but suppose must
see her." and he directed that she
should be admitted.
The footman returned. ushering In
tall, nice docking girl, dressed In deep
mourning
You are my uncle" she said. going
up to Mr.. Scott.
If you are the daughter OF my late
sister Martha. | suppose l am" re-
turned that gentleman.
Perhaps you are not aware OF the
fact that my father died recently.
leaving me almost totally unprovlded
lor," said the young lady.
The fact that he has left you unpro-
vided for does not surprise me. said her
uncle. Il never for moment thought
that music masters ever made money. i
suppose you have come TO ask NE TO
support you?"
No, indeed" replied Miss Thomas.
Il want to work. thought perhaps
you would be willing to put me In the
way of earning my own living"
Il should like to be quite certain
first that you really are the daughter
Of my sister. Mrs. Thomas" remarked
Mr.. Scott.
Lean easily produce proof Of thai.
should you require IT," said the girl.
Il am usually supposed to be very like
my mother. Perhaps you will see a
resemblance" She lifted her veil as
she spoke, disclosing very pleasing
set of features, marred unfortunately
by q birthmark on her left cheek.
WELL" said Mr., Scott, unwilling
ly, after scrutinizing her closely, Il
do see a likeness. | notice that you
have inherited your mothers birth
mark. About the only thing shs left
you. | should think" he added. rather
.oarsely.
Miss Thomas flushed slightly at this
allusion 10 her Disagreement.
Il did not come here to discuss my
mother" she said. quietly. You and
would never agree about her. Your
treatment of her was SO unnatural and
unbrotherly that no doubt my like
ness to her recalls unpleasant men,
cries."
Mr.. Scott was not thin skinned.
well, well. he said. you want
work, you say. What can you do"
81 can typewrite," answered Miss
Thomas, glancing at the late secre-
tary's instrument. land know some
thing Of shorthand. not much, but |
hope 20 improve myself in It."
Mr.. Scott considered for minute.
81 am without secretary at pres
ent." he said. at length. IF you like,
YOU can come and help me every
morning until get q new one; then
shall have to try and find you some
thing else to do"
at is very kind Of you" said his
niece. gratefully. II will do my best
to please"
Mr.. Scott had no more trouble with
his unwieldy correspondents during
the next few days. His newly found
niece proved herself an exDert aman-
uensis. and her uncle BEGAN to Sc
riously consider the advisability Of
keeping her on permanently In that
capacity. She was very willing. per-
formed her duties lntelligently. and
moreover she was decidedly cheap,
especially as her uncle's wife began
10 make use Of her about the house In
the afternoons, and occasionally sent
her out shopping.
"She seems a handy sort Of girl"
Mr.. Scott remarked to his wife nearly