St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-07-10
Betty and
Che Bear.
By FRANCIS A. COREY.
Copyright, 1907, by P. G. Eastment.
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she had ever come into close personal
contact before.
"T've dubbed him the Bear" Mr..
Henderson whose desk was next to
her own, confded to her. Hes
straight from the Rockies, you know.
And then he is so big, so british, so
ungainly! Looks as much out of place
in a New York Office as 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 approvingly.
His well bred tones were indescriba-
bly, soothing after the hoarse rumble of
Mr. Sterlings deep bass. She was re-
joiced to find one congenial person in
this place where the failure and sud
den death of her father had left her
stranded.
There are reduced gentlemen as
we'll 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 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 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 blackberres."
Are they?" Betty answered. 81
didn't know"
"Do you mind telling me how you
happened to apply to himF
Il received marked copy Of his ad-
vertisement and wrote Immediately,
asking for the place"
HIN! And got an answer by return
mail, saying you might report for
duty?"
"Why-yes-so 1 did. Is that so very
surprising"
"Oh, no. Henderson meditated
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"
"Absurdw Betty cried, reddening
painfully.
~ 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 things?'
Betty was indignant She realized
for the first time that there was vein
of native coarseness under the mans
veneer.
IA pile of money comes into this Of
fice," be said after an interval, looking
at her keenly. 1.-THE Bear is beastly
rich. That counts for a good deal.
You'll marry him for his wealth."
"a cowboy from the plains? 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 ven
tured to steal 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 had 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 i'll. have a box
at the opera, but seldom 60. I'd be
more than pleased to have you use it."
Betty's breath had stopped, and she
recovered it with difficulty
"Thank you very much, Mr.. Ster.
ling" she said icily, but l must de-
cline to take advantage of your kind
ness"
She fled with hot cheeks, but at heart
she was not so angry as she tried to
make herself believe. She knew in.
tuitively that the offer had not been
prompted so much by desire to win
favor as by real solicitude for her
welfare.
Further proofs of the big mans
thoughtfulness were forthcoming. That
same evening. on returning to her
boarding place, she was met by a smil.
ing landlady.
"See what's come for you, Miss Van,
deverew The woman triumphantly
held up basket of delicious fruit.
"Who sent it?' Betty asked, search.
ing for card.
None was to be found, and Mrs
Fryitt could only tell her that the bas
ket had been left by messenger boy
Not one of her fair weather friends
knew her present address. Naturally
she thought of Mr.. Henderson. Fol
some time there had been a growing
tenderness in his manner toward her