Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-11
Cupid's Bargain
Copyright, 1907. by Q. H. sutcIife.
By LESLIE HOLMES.

D1~-~1>~~~
But, my dear interposed Aunt
Ella, reaching for her handkerchief.
Beth Graham resumed her interrupt
ed monologue.
Il 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, a gift for conversation and
make a good appearance. No expert
ence necessary but large acquaintance
desirable. Apply TO the Interborough
Realty Co, - Street Now, l have
the education. Behold my diploma
from Nine. Collingwood's select school.
Thanks to my bringing up by the best
aunt in the world, l have the reputa-
ton of being well hammered. L am
considered chatty without being bore.
MY new tailored suit gives me the
good appearance demanded. Certainly
/ have no experience, but lot of ac-
quaintances."
Mrs. Graham mopped her eyes dill
gently.
Il cannot bear to think of you,
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 aunt's 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
! Of the - bank, was looking for a po-
sitlon 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-
quirements of the position Then he
| leaned back in his chair and remarked:
"I think you'll do, Miss Graham. We
| have plotted ninety acres on the Ches-
| ter turnpike, and were going to boom
| the site as the HolIingworth Terrace.
! We've got the Transit Construction
tnfa in
| 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 q bright woman with the gift
I of saying the right thing at the right
minute could put through many sale,
particularly with men. Now, such work
is generally done on a commission
| basis, but you're rather uE against II,
and We'll pay you fifteen a 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 Trausit Construc-
ton 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 a sweeping gesture,
did the secretary Of the Interborough
Realty company settle Beth Graham's
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 2" 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 1t seemed
to her as II Hollingworth Terrace must
be a sort of paradise for small sal
aried people and that she, in selling
homes to them, would he a veritable
angel Of mercy
The next day she felt differently.
The first excursion was not exactly O
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 a
cOlored man served hot coffee and
sandwiches to the few eXcursionists
who had braved the elements, but no
deals were coasummated After the
bus had taken the few visitors back to
the station Beth, seated on n plaster
er's horses, studied critically the tiny
reception hall, while LanghOrne, perch
ed on a window seat, studied the girl
and wondered why some women looked
smart and trig even in a craveRtte
coat and soft felt hat.
These early spring days are so un-
certain" she was saying. II wish
there was fireplace in that corner
You could Just as well build one, for
the chimney runs up there from the
parlor Then we'd have a swapping,
sparkling fire that would make the
whole house seem charming. | believe
we'd make a sale. rain or shine"
But the fireplaces would add to the
cost of the houses" said Langhorne
doubtfully.
"And make prospective customers
overlook some other defects In your
houses. | noticed YOU have no back
stairs Now, every suburban house
wife likes separate stairs for her one
servant. She is much more punctilious
I'm Such mnttprS than the CITY house