La Junta tribune., 1907-04-06


Jus,ina could readily believe this
Only the day before she had seen tlc
young man making himself agreeable
to pretty Miss Cooperton. the assistant
bookkeeper
Entering the office the first Monday
morning after the holidays. the stenog-
rnpher and confidant OF Mrs. Truxam
found Mr.. Clarence TruNam at his
mothers desk. Don't be alarmed.
Miss Gilbert" the Young man said
PLEASANTLY. Mother has gone to Wash
lngton for visit. I'll he in her place
till she comes back"
There was II luli In the volume OF busl-
ness these days. and as Il consequence
there were fewer letters to write. Direct
iy II developed that Clarence Truxam had
faculty for conversation of n sort IT
began In desultory talk about things In
general. Justina admitting to herself In
a half conscious way that another privi
lese due her b. right OF her plain face
was that of com-adeship with a young
man separated from her by impa ssabs
barriers.
Miss Gilbert" Clarence said one aft
ernoon when both of them were unoccu-
pied. do you know. like youy'
mo: didn't I'm much indebted" said
Justinn in her dry way. She did not look
ut the ulestioner and presently made q
move rs II to leave the room.
Don't go bit yet he protested
Give the machinery rest for little
while. Are you studying the hang of the
engines and things 80 you can take the
forenans place In case Of u striker
mo. had no such design
Simply love II for Its own sake. eh!
Well there's a human sort Of machine
not far away that might be interesting
and wants to be. II you would only turn
your intellectual faculties upon II"
That's the business Of a psychologist.
said Justina. I'm n stenographcr. /
wish business would look up so that
would have more to do
miss Gilbert. l have u charge to bring
against you." he said.
Lets hear It," she answered with un-
emotional concern.
Its very serious, l assure you. You
obtained your situation In the house Of
Truxam & Co. by false pretcnses!
"Mr. TruKamI' She turned from the
file and faced him. her eyes flashing de-
NAL II seemed to her that he was car
rying pieasantry too far. Loyalty to Miss
Montooth and the interests of the Mono
lith refinery did not demand that she
should brook an accusation like this.
"Piease don't crush me.'' he plended In
a conciliatory tone. 81 really beg your
pardon. But you know you came here In
answer to an advertisement"
"Yes." she answered icly. Am I not
competent as "A stenographer?"
"I'ndoubtedly. or my mother would have
found II out tn. first week and discharged
you. It's not that part OF the bill that
you don't MI. II you remember. II was an
ugly girl that was wanted. You came In
the guise of that kind OF girl. and 1
have discovered the fraud!
She laughed. biushing Il little and show
ing her even white teeth. There was no
denying that Justinas teeth were pretty.
"You deserve to take rank among the
great discovcrers of all ages for this
she said. trying not to be conscious OF
little thrill OF pleasure.
To keep him from talking more non-
sense she took letter OF tho file and sat
down at the typewriter to copy II. She
worked furiously. blundering. forgetting
the punctuation and spacing. What .
fool l ami" she kept saying to herself.
"what a fool.'
The nsxt morning the ''iittie thing
seemed to Justina even less. She had just
been "a bit OF goose. she told herself
| In the sober light OF the new day. She
would steel herself against weaknessea
| Of that kind in the future
6he was at the ONCE and receiving the
| mail when Mr.. Truxam came In. He
looked serious and almost severe. Justina
| fancied he wnH ashamed of the nonsense
he had talked the day before. The mail
was heavy. and 1t took him a good while
to look over It. The girl was thankful
for that
There had been n sudden awakening Of
trade. and the rush of letter writing last
ed all day.
was the work hard enough to suit you,
Miss Gilbert" he said when the big clock
had struck s. Downstairs the workmen
were getting ready to go home. And then
he added. rcsumIng something of his
sprightly manner. How do you think ]
got along today?"
"Splendidy."
"Thank you Commend me to mamma
when she comes back. Another favor !
| am going to ask OF you He was trying
to catch her eye. but she avoided the
glance. He crossed the narrow corridor
and pcrchcd on the railing of the sugar
pit. The position brought the two face to
face 81 would be etcrnally Obliged" he
went on. "if you would stop secondng
mothers schemes for promoting my busi,
ness Sntercsts Through a matrimonial al
| lance"
Justina betrayed her discontinue by n
wild stare. How did you find this out2'
she asked presently. recovering herself.
II should not have thought you capable
of listening to our talk!
Don't be severe on me. please. /
hemmed and coughed to let you know l
was at the open door of the Office. but
so deeply were YOU and mother interested
In your plot that neither OF you would
| pay any attention"
.'I think you ought to have gone away"
| said Justina, getting back her usual COM
| posure. I'm sorry II you're not pleased
about It, but. really. said nothing to
| your mother that wish to unsay. I
| think she In right to desire an advan-
| tageous marriage for you."
"You do.'
yes Your mother IL a good business
| woman-a wise woman She wants to see
| you make the most Of your opportunities.
| I was perfectly sincere in all said to her.
I know how she feels. and ! sympathize
| with her.
"You do!'
Take care or you may fall back! Oh.
| don't sit on the ran! You arc taking .
| great risk. Please. Mr.. Truxam''-
Don't get nervous" he said. balancing
| himself. go you think mother has the
best Of II and that ought to fal: In with
| her vlnheaY'' erat-