The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-03-20
Cupid's Bargain
BY LESLIE HOLMES.
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"But, my dear interposed Aunt
Ella, reaching for her handkerchief.
Beth Graham resumed her interrupt.
ed monologue.
II never saw an advertisement which
balanced SO tidily with ones qualifica.
tions-'wanted. services Of a capable
young woman for few hours daily.
Must be well educated, have pleasant
manners, gift for conversation and
make good appearance. No expert.
ence necessary. but large acquaintance
desirable. Apply to the Interborough
Realty Co, Street Now. have
the education. Behold my diploma
from Nine. Collingwood's select school.
Thanks to my bringing up by the best
aunt In the world. have the reputa-
ton Of being well hammered. l am
considered chatty without being bore.
Ny new tailored suit gives me the
good appearance demanded, Certainly
I have no experience, but lot OF ac-
quaintances."
Mrs. Graham mopped her eyes dill
gently.
II cannot bear to think of you, a
Graham Of Graham Center, going into
business. Now, there are my canoes
canoes are in style again. Beth
The girl laid a slender white hand
over her aunts trembling lips and
spoke with sternness not entirely af-
fected.
"Aunty, dear, never again speak In
that way Of our precious family heir.
looms. So long as they are in the safe
deposit vault shall feel that the Gra-
ham honor Is saved. l intend to an
swer that advertisement"
An hour later the secretary OF the
Interborough Realty company looked
with relief into the fresh. high bred
face of the last Of the Graham Center
Grahams, who. thanks to the collapse
or the - bank, was looking for po-
sition In which experience was not de-
manded. The secretary of the COM
pany, like all men of his class, ques-
toned the girl so cleverly that she had
told the story of her inexperience and
needs, long before he unfolded the re-
uuirements of the position. Then he
leaned back In his chair and remarked:
II think you'll do, Miss Graham. We
have plotted ninety acres on the Ches-
ter turnpike, and we're going to boom
the site as the Hollingworth Terrace.
We've got the Transit Construction
company interested in the deal, and
they will build houses on the Install
ment plan We have some wide awake
chaps on the ground, but We are plan
ming series of excursions, and we
think bright woman with the gift
of saying the right thing at the right
minute could put through many a sale,
particularly with men. Now, such work
Is generally done on a commission
basis, but you're rather up against it,
and wen pay you fifteen week and
expenses and give you month TO
make good"
He touched an electric button and
said to the answering boy:
Send in Mr.. Langhorne. He's the
working head of the Transit Construc-
tion company and promising young
man. You'll probably have considera-
BILE dealing with him. Langhorne, this
is Miss Graham She's going to help
us out at Hollingworth Terrace"
And thus, with sweeping gesture,
did the secretary Of the Interborough
Realty company settle Beth Graham 8
entrance into the business world.
Fifteen dollars a week! Why, they
would have to let even Emma, the
cook, go. She would probably wear
out many shoes. too. tramping over
Hollingworth Terrace. And then a mel
low masculine voice broke in upon
her reflections, and she found very
good looking young man, with Irish
blue eyes that smiled right into hers,
standing at attention, some pamphlets
In his hand
Perhaps you would like to look over
some of our literature before you join
us on the first excursion tomorrow
Tomorrow echoed Beth. 1t SEEM
ed so dreadfully near, this earning of
daily bread for herself and Aunt Ellen.
But she smiled and accepted the
books. Half an hour later it seemed
to her as If Hollingworth Terrace must
be a sort Of paradise for small sal
aried people and that she, in selling
homes to them, would be yeritable
angel Of mercy. ..
The next day she felt differently.
The first excursion was not exactly a
success. The air was heavy with mist,
and Hollingworth Terrace seemed a
wilderness Of surveyors, steam rollers,
sewer pipes and tired teams. dragging
great loads Of building materials
through unfinished streets.
In one of the half finished houses d
colored man. served hot coffee and