The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-12
THE EVENING STOR Y
Cupid's Bargain.
(By Leslie Holmes.)

Cup1OS bargain.
(By Leslie Holmes.)
but my DEAR interDosed Aunt
Ella, reaching for her handkerchief.
Beth Graham resumed her inter-
rupted monologue.
81 never saw an advertiseme nt
which balanced so tidily with ones
fcations-'Wanted, services of a
capable young woman for few hours
daily. Must be we'll educated. have
pleasant manners. gift for CONVEX
No experience necessary, but large
acquaintance desirable. Apply to the
marlborough Realty Co., street
Now, 1 have the education-behold
my diploma from Madame Colling-
woods select school. Thanks to my
bringing UP by the best aunt in the
world, 1 have the reputation of being
well hammered; 1 am considered chat
ty without being a bore; my new tail
ored suit gives me the good appear
ance demanded. Certainly 1 have no
experience, but lot of acquaint-
anceS."
Mrs. Graham mopped her eyes dill
gently.
''I can not 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 nps ana
spoke with sternness not entirely af-
fected.
'.Aunty, dear, never again speak in
that way of our precious family heir
deposit vault shall feel that the Ora
ham honor is saved. / intend to an
swer that advertisement.
An hour later the secretary of the
Interborough Realty company looke9
with relief into the fresh. highbred
face of the last of the Graham Center
Grahams, who. thanks to the collapse
of the - bank. was looking for a
position in which experience was not
demanded. The secretary of the com
pany. like all men of bis class. ques-
toned the girl so cleverly that she had
told the story of her inexperience ana
needs long before he unfolded the re-
oufrements of the position. Then he
leaned back in his chair and re-
marked:
We have plotted ninety acres on the
Chester turnpike, and We're going 70
boom the site as the Hollingworth
Terrace. We've got the Transit Con-
company interested in the
deal, and they will build houses on the
instalIment plan. We have some wide
awake chaps on the ground, but we
are planning a series of excursions,
and we think a bright woman with a
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 COM
against it, and we'll pay you fifteen
dollars a week and expenses, and give
you a 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-
ton company, and promising young
man. You'll probably have consider
able dealing with him. Mr.. 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 PETERBOROUGH
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, trampfng over Hol-
Iinworth Terrace-and then a mellow
Elections and she found a very good
looking young man, with Irish blue
eyes that smiled right into hers. stand
ng at attention. some pamphlets in
MS 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 seemed
so dreadful1y 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 If Hollingworth Terrace must
be q sort Oh IOT SIIldAl-SdidTl9Q
people, and that she, in selling homes
20 them, would be veritable angel Of
mercy.
The next day she felt differently The |
first excursion was not exactly a sue |
cess 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-f1nished houses a |
,olored man served hot coffee and |
to the few excursionists who |
1ad brayed the elements, but no deals |
we're contaminated. After the bus had ,
"a ken the few visitors back to the sta |
ion. Beth, seated on a plaster's horse, |
studied critically the tiny reception hall, |
while Langhorne, perched on a window |
;eat studied the girl and wondered why |
some women looked smart and trig even |
n a cravenette coat and a soft felt hat. |
..These early spring days are so I'M
she was saying. wish there
vas fireplace In that corner. You
Gould lust as well build one, for the
chimney runs up there from the parlor.
Then we'd have a swapping, sparkling |
ire that would make the whole house |
,eem charming 1 believe we'd make a
;ale. rain or shine.
sBut the fireplace would add to the
.ost of the houses" said Langhorne,
land make prospective customers
,verIook some other defects in your
houses. I noticed you have no back
Itairs, Now every suburban housewife
ikes separate stairs for her one ser
amt She is much more punctilious in
;uch matters than the city housekeep-
n"
"Eh-what?" exclaimed Langhorne.
:uriously.