Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-05-09
BETTY AND THE BEAR

woolly west was her employer Bet
ty gave an involuntary gasp. de
was so elemental, so unlike any one
with whom she had ever come into
close personal contact before.
1--WE dubbed him the Bear" Mr..
Henderson, whose desk was next to
her own, con6ded to her. "He's
straight from the Rockies, you know.
And then he is so big, so british, so
ungainlY Looks as much out OF
place in New York Office as bull
in a china shop"
Henderson himself was slender,
handsome, polished, immaculate Of
attire. Betty's glance rested upon
his Snug, clean shaven face APPROX
ingly. His wsll-bred tones were in
describably soothing after the hoarse
rumble Of Mr.. Sterling's deep bass.
She was rejoiced to find one congenial
person in this place where the failure
and sudden death of her father had
left her stranded.
"There are reduced gentlemen as
well as reduced gentlewomen, she
thought, with feeling of womanly
sympathy for him that later on found
expression in unexpected ways.
For instance, although short to
curtness with her employer, she would
linger after hours for friendly chat
with Henderson md 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 abrupt.
ly:
miss Vandevere, did it ever strike
you as bit strange that the Bear
should have given you the best berth
in the Officer This is your first ex-
perience, and good stenographers are
as plentiful as blackberries."
care they2" Betty answered. 81
didn't know"
ado you mind telling me how you
happened to apply to him ?"
~ received marked copy of his
advertisement and wrote immediate
ly, asking for the place.
Him And got ar answer by re-
turn mail, saying you might report
for duty ?"
"Why-yes--so I did. Is that so
very surprising2"
ooh, no. Henderson meditated a
moment, a queer little spark flashing
into his eyes. "See here I'm 60
ing to tell you something" he an
nounced abruptly. 1.-THE bear is in
love with you"
"Absurd |" Betty cried, reddening
painfully.
81 know the signs. Watch him.
You'll see for yourself. Cant come
nigh you without flushing and tremb'
ling. Genuine case of love at first
sight. l guess he knew what he was
about when he took you into his EN-.
ploy."
"How can you say such things1"
Betty was indignant. She realized
for the first time that there was a
vein of native coarseness under the
mans veneer.
ga pile of money comes into this
Office" 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 plains2 Not
if he were made of gold /"
Henderson looked relieved, but be.
fore he could reply Mr.. Sterling came
into the Office.
Betty bent over to her desk with a
scarlet face. When, presently, she
ventured to steal a glance at her en-
ployer she encountered his fixed gaze
and knew from the look in his ewes
that Henderson was right.
The thought that this uncouth west.
erner dared aspire to a Vandevere
made her furious. Later on, when
an errand took her into the inner of
fee, whittier her employer had with
drawn, she made all possible haste,
but he spoke to her, before she could
slip back again to her place.
miss Vsndevere, one moment,
please. You are looking pale. You
are not used to such close apINca-