Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-04-19
LAND FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 10, 1907.
Betty and
Cbe Bear.
BY FRANCIS A. COREY.


OsS>s-OsOsOs OsOeOsO
And this young giant from the woolly
west was her employerl Betty gave
an Involuntary gasp. He was so ele-
mental, SO unlike any one with whom
she had ever come Into close personal
contact before.
"Pve dubbed him the Bear" Mr..
Henderson, whose desk was next to
her own, confided to her. Hes
straight from the Rockies. you know.
And then he Is SO big. 80 british, 80
ungainlyl Looks as much out OF place
In New York Office as a bull in a
china shop"
Henderson himself was slender,
handsome, polished, Immaculate Of at
tire Betty's glance rested upon his
SNUG, clean shaven face appF6vingly.
His we'll bred tones were indescriba-
bly, soothing after the hoarse rumble OF
Mr.. Sterling's deep bass. She was re-
joiced to find one congeniai person In
this place where the failure and sud
den death of her father had left her
stranded
'"There are reduced gentlemen as
well as reduced gentlewomen." she
thought. with a feeling Of womanly
sympathy for him that later on found
expression In unexpected ways.
For Instance, although short to curt
ness with her employer, she would
linger after hours for a friendly chat
with Henderson and even permitted
him to take her out to dinner once or
twice.
One day when they were alone In
the Office Henderson swung around In
his revolving chair and said abruptly:
miss Vandevere, did 1t ever strike
you as bit strange that the Bear
should have given you the best berth
In the Office? This is your first expert
ence, and good stenographers are as
plenty as blackberries."
Are theyT Betty answered. 81
didn't know"
"Do you mind telling me how you
happened to apply to HIM"
IT received n marked copy Of his ad-
vertisement and wrote Immediately,
asking for the place"
Hint And got an answer by return
mail, saying you might report for
dutyr'
"Why-yes-so did. Is that so very
surprising?'
"Oh, no." Henderson meditated q
moment, a queer little spark flashing
into his eyes. See here! I'm going
to tell you something" he announced
nh irf 1.a Ia In. 1ntrA TuNAt n
you"
"Absurdp Betty cried, reddening
painfully.
II know the signs. Watch him.
You'll see for yourself. Can't come
nigh you without flushing and trem-
bling Genuine case of love at first
sight. guess he knew what he was
about when he took you Into his en-
ploy."
"How can you say such thingsY'
Betty was Indignant. She realized
for the first time that there was vein
OF native coarseness under the mans
veneer.
"A pile OF money comes into this Of
fee" he said after an interval, looking
at her keenly. "The Bear 10 beastly
rich. That counts for a good deal.
You'll marry him for his wealth"
"a cowboy from the plalns2 Not II
he were made OF goldp
Henderson looked relieved, but be-
fore he could reply Mr.. Sterling came
into the office.
Betty bent over to her desk with q
scarlet face. When. presently, she ven
tured to steal a glance at her employer
she encountered his fixed gaze and
knew from the look In his eyes that
Henderson was right.
The thought that this uncouth west
erner dared aspire to Vandevere
made her furious Later on, when an
errand took her into the inner Office,
whittier her employer Ind withdrawn,
she made all possible haste, but he
spoke to her before she could slip back
again to her place.
Miss Vandevere, one moment,
please. You are looking pale. You
are not used to such close application.
You'll make yourself Ill. have a box
at the opera, but seldom go. I'd be
more than pleased to have you use IT,"
Betty's breath had stopped, and she
recovered 1t with difficulty.
THANK you very much, Mr.. Ster-
ling" she said Jelly, but must de-
cline to take advantage of your kind
ness"
She fed with hot cheeks, but at heart
she was not 80 angry as she tried to
make herself believe. She knew In
tultlvely that the offer had not been
prompted 30 much by desire to win
favor as by real solicltude for her
welfare
Further proofs Of the big mans
were Forthcoming. That
same evening, on returning to her
boarding place, she was met by smiI-
Ing landlady.
"Bee what's come for you, Miss Van
deverel" The woman triumphantiy
held up basket Of delicious fruit.
who sent itT Betty asked, search
Ing for a card.
None was to be found. and Mrs.
Fryitt could only tell her that the bas-
let had been left by a messenger boy.
Not one of her fair weather friends
$new her present address. Naturally
she. thought Of Mr.. Henderson. For
some time there had been q growing
in his manner toward her.
When the anonymous gifts continued
to appear daily she took occasion 10
with him.
"Hothouse grapes are expensive lux
uries," she said. Don't send any more
Won can't afford In
Miss Vandevere, allow me TO correct
Was. GAnn aun MpAAN,.aaR