The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-07
THE EVENING STOR Y
Betty and the Bear.
(By Francis A. Corey.

| ~ west was heF emp1OySHi AoStsS
gave an involuntary gasp. He was SO
elemental, SO unlike any one with
whom she had ever come into close
personal contact before.
1--WE dubbed him The Bear, MI.
Henderson, whose desk was next to
her own, conf1ded to her. Hes
straight from the Rockies. you know
And then he is so big, SO british, SO
ungainIy! 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 MS
snug, shaver face approvingly.
His well-bred tones were indescriD-
ably 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 ana
sudden death of her father had left
her stranded!
There are reduced gentlemen as
well as reduced gentlewomen," she
thought, with a feeling of womaniy
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 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 round In
his revolving chair and said abruptly:
Miss Vandevere, did it ever strike
should have given you the best berth
in the office? This is your first expe-
rience; and good stenographers are as
plenty as blackberries."
Are they?' Betty answered. Il
didn't know"
ono voY, wind falling ma how Won
happened to apply to him?"
st received a marked copy of his adj
vertisement and wrote Immediately,
asking for the place.
mail, saying you might report for
duty?"
very surprising"
"Oh. no." Henderson meditated a.
moment. a queer little spark flashing
into his eyes. ''See herei I'm going to
tell you something" ne announced
abruptly. 1.-The Bear is in love with
you'll"
Absurd" Betty cried, reddening
IT 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. I guess he knew what he was
about when he took you into his EN-
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.
"A pile of money comes into this
office" he said after an interval. look
ing at her keenly. The Bear is beast
1y rich That counts for a good deal
You'll marry him for his wealth " :.
he were made of GOldi"
Henderson looked relieved, but before
he could reply Mr.. Sterling came into
the office
scarlet face When, presently, she VEN
tured to steal a 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. I have a box at the
opera, but I seldom go. I'd be more
than pleased to have you use 1T.
Betty's breath had stopped and she
recovered it with difficulty.
THANK you very much,M Mr.. Sterling"
she said icily. But 1 must decline to
take advantage of your kindness"
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 a desire to win
favor as by real solicitude for her well |
fare.
Further proofs of the big mans |
were forthcoming. That |
same evening, on returning to her !
boarding place, she was met by a |
smiling landlady.
':See what's come for you, Miss Van
ieverei' The woman triumphantly |
held up a basket of delicious fruit.
ssWho sent it?" Betty asked, search
ng for card.
None was to be found and Mrs.
Fryitt could only tell her that the
basket had been left by messenger
ooy. Not one of her fairweather
friends knew her present address. Nat
Iraily she thought of Mr.. Henderson.
For some time there had been
growing tenderness in his manner to-
ward her When the anonymous gifts
to appear daily ,., she took oc-
Hot house grapes are expensive
she said. Don't send any
more. You can't afford tor
Henderson deliberated moment,
miss Vandevere, allow me to cor
ect a wrong conclusion. I have not
Presumed to send, you grapes, or any,
hing else
saWho did %
sIf I may hazard a guess-The
3earI''
n forthwith into the next room
where her employer was busy at his
Iesk.
ssIr Sterling" she cried, "ft's an
for Won to make me
,resentsl The fact that I work for
on is no excuse"
!