The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-04-19
BY FRANCIS A. COREY.
Copyright, lsO7, by p. e. EASEMENT.


For instance, although short to curt
ness with her employee, she would
linger 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
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 blackberries"
"Are they" Betty answered. 81
didn't know"
do you mind telling me how you
happened to apply to him."
Il received a marked copy of his ad-
vertisement and wrote Immediately,
asking for the place"
Him! And got an answer by return
mail, saying you might report for
duty?"
"Why-yes-so did. Is that so very
'surprising?"
"Oh, no." Henderson meditated a
moment, q 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.
Il 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. 1 guess he knew what he was
about when he took you into his en-
ploy."
How can you say such thingsY
Betty was indignant. She realized
for the first time that there was a vein
Of native coarseness under the mans
veneer.
"a pile of money comes into this Of
fee" he 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 q
scarlet face. When, presently, she ven
tured to steal n 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 q 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whittier her employer had withdrawn,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 Ill. I have box
Mt the opera, but l seldom go. 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 Jelly, "but 1 must de-
cline to take advantage of your kind
ness"
She fed 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 a basket of delicious fruit.
"Who sent it," Betty asked, search
ing for a card.
None was to be found, and Mrs.
Fryitt could only tell her that the bas-
ket had been left by a messenger boy.
Not one of her fair weather friends
knew her present address. Naturally
she thought of Mr.. Henderson. For
some time there had been n growing
tenderness In his manner toward her.
When the anonymous gifts continued
to appear daily she took occasion to
demonstrate with him.
dollhouse grapes are expensive lux
uries," she said. Don't send any more.
You can't afford to-"
Miss Vandevere, allow me to correct
, wrong conclusion. I have not pre-
sumed to send out grapes or anything
else"
"Who did"
If may hazard a guess-the Bear!'
Betty was SO angry that she marched
forthwith into the next room, where
her employer was busy at his desk.
"NIr Sterling" she cried, 'its an i'm
pertinence for you to make me pres
ents. The fact that l work for you is
no excuse"
He looked disconnected.
II hoped-you wouldn't know-the
tribes came from me-"
why did you do it," she demanded
hotly.
you're not used to making your own
way-of course you miss things. And,
then, knew your father, and l wanted
to help you for his sake"
She stared half incredulously.
You knew papa? When? Where?"
I'm San Francisco-laSt winter. We
met in n business way and got to be
friendly He liked to talk about you,
and once he showed me your picture.
SO you seemed like an old friend from
the first
Betty's eyes had been opened, but
the look of annoyance did not leave
her face.
IT can supply my own wants. Please
do not send anything more. she said.