Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-11-27
THE TYPIsT AND
THE THRILLER


going to be-thats ALL
He seated himself comfortably as he
spoke-that is 20 say, as comfortably as
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.
Il am sorry / cannot tell vou," re-
piled the T'ypist, gazing poirtedly at
heap OF unanswered letters before her
Il do not know how long Mr. Calthrop
will be exactly"
"Ah," observed the Triier in a medi-
tative tone, "tnere 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 to
acquire exact knowledge of almost any
thing?"
NO." said the Typist, st never has"
II thought it probably hadn't adj
mitted the Trifer affably. yet, take
quite common illustration. If YOU ask
a passerby the time, he will either tell
you off hand, or he will glance at his
watch--if he is polite person and tell
you that it is about f-past 8, say,
or twenty minutes to G-as the case
may be--whereas, in point of fact. it
never is within five minutes of the time
he asserts His watch is wrong. or be
fol ha -
divisions on the dial between each five
minutes. What a wonderful thing that
typewriter of yours ISL
This typewriter?" She looked up at
him with mild surprise why, it is
quite an ordinary one"
Il suppose So" agreed the Trifler,
little regretfully. "And you really can
write with it 2"
well, / should not be here if / could
not" retorted the Typist; should m
II don't know" said the Triher I'm
here, and / can't
ooh, that's quite different. Besides
she glanced at him deiantly what
are you here for?"
For the matter of that" replied the
Trifler, meeting her glance with unruf-
fled composure, what are you here for?n
The Typist colored violently. and her
eyes dropped again to the pile of let
ters III front of her.
Il think that is rather an impertinent
question she said, in low tone.
The Trifier gave an audible sigh.
1T seemed to me rather pertinent
one" he remarked, in a disappointed
voice "Of course, you know what I'm
here for?"
ITO see Mr.. Calthrop-- told me-
But he's not in told you'
1T doesn't matter at all, !" reioined the
Irifler airily. "I'll wait. have moth
ing to do for the next hour or so, and
this is--er'-he gazed round the room
with expansive appreeiation-"an ex-
traordinarily comfortable office"
Hadn't you-better go?n asked the
Typist in a low tone
Go! Before seeing Calthrop? Why,
he would never forgive ,iie,' protested
the TriAer. Il couldn't really dream Of
going yet Besides
Il cont see that there is any besides
to keep you here" said th2 Typisr.
They say love is blind.' nturmured
the Trifer, with an air of philosophic
abstraction.
Il don't understand you!' said the
1ypist, drawing herself up.
Il am not in the least surprised at
that said the Trifer amiably Very
few people do. 1t has long Leea my fate
to be misunderstood Yet | hoped he
paused and looked at the Typist little
uneasily Il hoped he repeatedly
the-bye, there is no harm in hoping, is
there ?" he broke off to inquire.
None that | am aware Of" she re-
piled. with her chin in the air.
We'll, then, | hoped you did, lie ex-
planned in italics
Hoped Ibid 2" She affected an adj
mirable bewilderment. Hoped | lid
what p
The Tritler spread out his hands with
a gentle deprecating gesture
You compel me to be explicit" he ex-
postulated Its SO much less .,alar-
RAISING to approach these er-prelim-
maries in the elliptieal manner. Ex-
cept," he added as an after thought.
when you have a typewriter handvln
Il have no wish to compel you 50 be
anything" retorted the Typist. And
it is quite time / returned t. my work:
so if you will kindly allow me. Mr.. Clay
ering-" She made him II little ron
zeal bow, and was in the act of sweeping
past when the Triner, with incredible
dexterity, caught her by the wrists anu
drew her back sideways so that she
faced him involuntarily.
How dare your" cried the Tvpist.
struggling to free herself.
Il am man of simply extraordinary
courage he explained Now. look
here-look at me-look me straight in
the eyes You know it, and you have
known it, you obstinate. wil1ful girl. for
months past! l love you. Oh. YES. T
love you-there isn't the least mistake
about that whatever But what [ want
to know is whether you love me- And
have come here today for ;he purpose
of finding out Aud and l belieye~-
he gave a low ehuckle-'T believe | have
found out Tell me-have II"
"0h, let me goi | don't know what
YOU have found out, or what YOU
haven't" pleaded the Typist, her cloak
of dignity falling suddenly from her and
leaving her defenseless and exposed to