Evening journal., 1907-03-27
Betty and
Cbe Bear.
By FRANCIS A. COREY.
copyrIsh.. la0I. ~ ?. 9. Eastnnenl.

an involuntary gasp. He was so Gle
mental SO unlike any one with whom
abe had ever comesinto close personal
aontact before.
.'Pve dubbed him the Bear" Mr.
Henderson, whose desk was next to
her own. conhded to her. Hes
straight from the Rockies. you know.
And then he Is so big. so british, so
ungainlyl Looks as much out of place
in a New York Office as a bull in a
china shop"
Henderson himself was slender,
handsome. polished, immaculate Of at
dire. Betty's glance rested upon his
smug. clean shaven face approvingly.
h4la well bred tones were indescriba-
blv soothing after the hoarse rumble OF
Mr.. SterHng's deep bass. She was re
1oIced to find one congenial person In
this place where the failure and sud
den death Of her father had left her
stranded.
"There are Nreduced gentlemen as
we'll as reduced gentlewomen," she
thought with q 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
hlnger 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
bis revolving chair and said abruptly:
Miss vandevere did It ever strike
you as a 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 blacl,beries"
"Are theyy Betty answered. II
didn't know"
do you mind telling me how you
happened 10 apply to himF"
81 received a marked copy Of his ad-
vertsement and wrote Immediately,
asking for the place"
"Hml And got an answer by return
mail, saying you might report for
dutyw
.rvhy-yes-so I did. Is'that so very
burprlsingY
"Oh. no." Henderson meditated a
moment a queer little spark flashing
Into his eyes. "See here! I'm going
to tell you something" he announced
abruptly "The Bear is in love with
you"
"Absurdr Betty cried, reddenIng
painfully.
Il know the signs Watch him.
You'n 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
hbout when he took you into his en-
bloy"
"How can you say such thingsT
Betty was indignant. She realized
Tor the first time that there was vein
bf native coarseness under the man's
veneer.
"A pile OF money comes into this or
fee" he said after an interval, looking
at her keenly "The Bear is beastly
Rich That counts for a good deal.
You'll marry him for his wealth"
"a cowboy from the paainsf Not II
be were made OF goldw
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
Rhe encountered his ined gaze and
knew from the look in his eyes tha
Henderson was right
III. 4I.,r,~~If ffn4 chic ssnocttfh srroot
erner dared aspire 10 a Yandever'
made her furious Later on. when al
errand took her into the inner Office
whittier her employer had withdrawn
Ehe made all possible haste. but b
bpoke TO her before she could slip bacl
bgaln TO her place.
Miss Yandevere. one moment
please. You are looking pale Yo
are not used to such close application
You'll make yourself m. have bo
ht the opera. but / seldom go. ia
more than pleased to have you use 1t.
Betty's breath had stopped, and sh
recovered Il with difficulty.
Thank you very much. Mr. Stel
hing" she said icily. but must d.
Cline to take advantage OF your kline
hess"
She fed with hot checks, but at heai
she was not SO angry as she tried
make herself believe. She knew II
kuitiveiy that the offer had not bee
prompted so much by a desire to wi
favor as by real solicitude for he
welfare.
Further proofs Of the big man
houghtfulness were forthcoming. Thl
bame evening, on returning to h,
boarding place, she was met by a smi
Ing landlady.
"See what's come for you. Miss Va
neverer The woman triumphant
held up basket Of delicious fruit.
"Who sent it?" Betty asked. scare
ing for a card.
None was to be found, and Nj
Fryitt could only tell her that the ba
ket had been left by a messenger bo
Not one OF her fair weather frien
knew her present address. Natural
she thought Of Mr.. Henderson. f
BONE time there had been a growil
tenderness IN his manner toward h'
When the synonymous gifts continu
to appear daily she took occasion
demonstrate with him.
"Hothouse grapes are expensive lu
uries." she said Don't send any mol
You can't afford To-"
Miss Yandevere, allow me to CORE
a vrron- conclusion. I have not pr