The Press., 1907-08-21
Cupid's Bargain
By LESLIE HOLMES.
Copyright. 1907. BY c. H. sutolina.


"But, my dear interposed Aun
| Ella, reaching for her handkerchief.
Beth Graham resumed her interrupt
ed monologue.
"I never saw an advertisement which
balanced so tidily with ones qualtflca
tions-'Wanted. services of a capable
young woman for few hours daily
Must be well educated. have pleasan
manners, a gift for conversation anG
make good appearance. No expert
ence necessary, but large acquaintance
desirable. Apply to the. InterbOroug)
Realty Co., - Street Now, hay,
the education Behold my dipI0ms
from Mime. Collingwood'sIs elect school
Thanks to my bringing up by the hes
aunt In the world. l have the reputa
ton of being well hammered. an
considered chatty without being aibore
My new tailored suit gives me tht
good appearance demanded. Certainly
/ have no experience, but a lot Of &C
Quaintances."
Mrs. Graham mopped her eyes dill
gently.
81 cannot bear to think Of you. q
Graham OF Graham Center. going int
business. Now, there are my canoes
canoes are in style again. BETH
The girl laid a slender white hand
over her aunt's trembling lips and
spoke with sternness not entirely al
fected.
"Aunty, dear, never again speak In
that way Of our precious family heir
looms. So long as they are In the safe
deposit vault shall feel that the Ora
ham honor L. saved. intend to an
swer that advertisement"
An hour later the secretary Of the
Interborough Realty company looked
with relief into the fresh, high bred
face of the last Of the Graham Center
Grahams, who, thanks to the collapse
Of the - bank. was looking for a DO
sition in which experience was not de-
manded. The secretary Of the COM
pany, like all men of his class, queS-
toned the girl so cleverly that she had
told the story of her inexperience and
needs long before he unfolded the re-
quirements Of the position. Then he
leaned back in his chair and remarked:
'I think you'll do, Miss Graham. We
have plotted ninety acres on the Ches-
ter turnpike, and we're going to boom
the site as the HollingwOrth Terrace.
We've got the Transit Construction
company interested in the deal, and
they will build houses ON the Install
ment plan. We have some wide awake
chaps on the ground, but we are plan
ming a series of excursions, and we
think a bright woman with the gift
of saying the right thing at the right
minute could put through many sale,
particularly with men. Now, such work
is generally done on a commission
basis, but you're rather up against 1t,
and Wen pay you fifteen a week and
expenses and give you a month to
make good"
He touched an electric button and
said to the answering boy:
"Send in Mr.. Langhorne. He's the
working head Of the Transit Construc-
ton company and a promising young
man. You'll probably have considera-
Bile dealing with him. Langhorne, this
is Miss Graham. She's going to help
us out at Hollingworth Terrace"
And thus, with a sweeping gesture,
did the secretary of the Interborough
Realty company settle Beth Graham's
entrance into the business world.
Fifteen dollars a weekk Why, they
would have to let even Emma, the
cook, go. She would probably wear
out many shoes. too, tramping over
Terrace And then a mel
low masculine voice broke in upon
her reflections, and she found a very
good looking young man, with Irish
blue eyes that smiled right into hers,
at attention, some pamphlets
In his hand.
Perhaps You would like to look over
some Of our literature before you join
Us on the first excursion tomorrow
Tomorrow" echoed Beth. It seem
ed SO dreadfully near, this earning of
daily bread for herself and Aunt Ellen.
But she smiled and accepted the
books. Half an hour later it seemed
to her as II Hollingworth Terrace must
be sort Of paradise for small sal
aried people and that she, in selling
homes to them, would be a veritable
angel OF mercy.
The next day she felt differently.
The first excursion was not exactly q
Iuccess. The air was heavy with mist,
Ind Hollingworth Terrace seemed a
wilderness Of surveyors, steam rollers,
'ewer pipes and tired teams, dragging
Ireat loads OF building materials
through unfinished streets.
In one Of the half finished houses a
,Olored man served hot coffee and
sandwiches to the few excursionists
Who had braved the elements, but no
leafs were consummated. After the |
'us had taken the few visitors back to |
he station Beth. seated on a plaster
RS horses, studied critically the tiny |
eception hall, while Langhorne, perch |
ID on window seat. studied the girl |
nd wondered why some women looked |
mart and trig even In a cravenette
oat and a soft felt hat.
These early spring days are SO IN
ertain." she was saying. II wish
here was a fireplace In that corner.
.ou could just as well build one, Cor
he chimney runs up there from the
arlor. Then we'd have a swapping,
parking fire that would make the
hole house seem charming. I believe
red make a sale. rain or shine"
But the Hreplaces would add to the
ost Of the houses" said Langhorne
oubtfully.
"And make prospective customers
verlook some other ,.eIects in youl
ouses. noticed you have no backt
tairs. Now, every suburban house
life likes separate stairs for her ope I,
ervant. She is much more punctiliougf
| such matters than the city house
eeper."
''Eh-what?" exclaimed Langhorne |
1riously.
'Yes, and you should have utilized ,
lat wasted space for q closet for rub
er coats, umbrellas. overshoes, etc. A