The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-17
THE TYPIST AND
THE THRILLER.

81 Just want to know how long he IS
going to be-that's ALL"
He seated himself comfortably as he
spoke-that is 20 say, as comfortably Us
the limitations of office furniture pei
| mitted-in the only armchair in the
room, and, crossing his legs. directed a
gracious smile at the Typist, who sat
with the fingers of one dainty hand
poised impatiently over the keys OF the
typewriter at the other side OF the table
which divided them.
81 am sorry I cannot tell you," re-
piled the Typist, gazing pointedly at
heap of unanswered letters before her
81 do not know how long Mr.. CalthroI
will he exactly
"Ah,o observed the Trifer in medi
| tative tone, 'there are so very few
things-are there not?-so very few
things in the world that anybody does
seem to know exactly Perhaps it has
never struck you how difficult it is tt
acquire exact knowledge of almost any
thing?"
NO., said the Typist, cit never has
81 thought it probably hadn't" ad
mitted the Trifer affably. "Yet, take
quite common illustration. If you ask
passerby the time, he will either tel
you off hand, or he will glance at his
watch--if he is polite person-and tel
you that it is about half-past 8, say
or twenty minutes to Gas the cast
may be-whereas, in point of fact, i
never is within five minutes of the time
he asserts. His watch is wrong, or b:
hasn't taken the trouble to count TIT
divisions on the dial between each FIVE
minutes. What wonderful thing thai
typewriter OF yours is!' ,..,c-c ~ IL
f"This' typewriter 2" She looked up al
him with mild surprise. "Why, it il
quite an ordinary one." Il, ~,
81 suppose So" agreed the Trifier, 9
little regretfully. "And you really cal
write with it ?"
'sWell, I should not be here if 1 could
not" retorted the Typist; SHOULD II
81 don't know" said the Trifer. 'I'n
here, and 1 can't
"Oh, that's quite different. Besides
she glanced at him defantly-''what
are you here for?
'sFor the matter of that" replied the
Trifer. meeting her glance with unruf
fled composure, "what are you here for p
The Typist colored violently, and hel
eyes dropped again to the pile of let
tiers in front of her.
81 think that is rather an impertinent
question: she said, in low tone.
The Trifer gave an audible sigh.
cit seemed to me rather a pertinent
one,'' he remarked, in a disappointet
voice. 'Of course, you know what I'm
here for?''
''To see Mr.. Calthrop-you told me
But he's not in-I told you"
at doesn't matter at all,' rejoined thu
ing to do for the next hour or so, ant
with expansive appreciation-"an ex
traordinarily comfortable Office"
Hadn't you-better go?" asked TIT
Typist in a low tone.
go! Before seeing Calthrop? Why
he would never forgive JIae,' protested
the Tri1er. 81 couldn't really dream o
going yet. Besides
Il do-l't see that there is any besides
to keep you here" said the Typis5.
''They say love is blind" murrnuret
the Trifer, with an air of philosophi'
abstraction.
Il don't understand you'll" said thu
Typist, drawing herself up.
Il am not in the least surprised a
that" said the Trifer amiably. ''Ver.
few people do. 1t has long been my fat
to be misunderstood. Yet ! hoped-h'
paused and looked at the Typist a little
uneasily. 81 hoped,' he repeatedly
the bye, there is no harm in hoping, il
there?" he broke off to inquire.
''None that am aware of" she re
piled, with her chin in the air..
'sWell, then, hoped you did" he ex
planned, in italics.
"Hoped-I-did?" She affected an ad
mirable bewilderment. Hoped I jit
what ?"
The Trifer spread out his hands will
gentle deprecating gesture.
"You compel me to be explicit" he ex
postulated. ''It's so much less ..t1tar
RAISING to approach these-er-prelim
inaries in the elliptical manner Elk
cept," he added as an after thought
"when you have typewriter handy!"
81 lave no wish to compel you 10 b
anything" retorted the Typist. cane
it is quite time I returned to my work
so if you will kindly allow me, Mr.. CLAW
ering-" She made him IL little iron
ical bow, and was in the act of sweeping
past when the Trifer, with incredible
dexterity, caught her by the wrists an
drew her back sideways so that sh
faced him involuntarily.
''How dare your" cried the Typist
struggling to free herself.
81 am a man of simply eNtraordinar.
courage he explained. ''Now, lool
here-look at me-look me straight il
the eyes! You know it-ard you hav
known it, you obstinate, willful girl, TO
months past I love you. Oh, yes,
love you-there isn't the least mistak
about that whatever. But what | wan
to know is whether you love me? Ap'
I have come here today for the purpos
of finding out. And-and I beIieve"-
he gave a low chuckle-"I believe hav
found out! Tell me-have II"
ooh, let me go! 1 don't know wha
you have found out, or what yo7
haven't" pleaded the Typist, her cloal
of dignity falling suddenly from her an
leaving her defenseless and exposed t.
the arrows of the one great enemy whom
never girl vanquished yet. ''Let me g
pleased"
II thought So" murmured the Trifel
"You do"
81 DON'T she protested.
"Then I can't let you go till you do,
he remarked judicially. "Fm yer.
sorry"
"Oh-well, then, if you must-if yo'
insist
"I insist" said the Trifer firmly.
! all how