The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-08
BY CHARLES LAVELL.

ltIV quite an important parsonage
ION Change" and until re-
Gently his own estimate or
himself far exceeded that of
his fellow-brokers and the world
say until recently. For, In the near
past. the Curtius pride has been rude,
| ly Jared, and the Contango self-es!
TEEN has received a harsh and per.
mapent establishment.
Mr.. Contango entered his private Of
fee one Monday morning and rang
for his stenographer. On her appear
ance. although Curtius is no longer
youthful, his eyes almost hoped out
OF his head with suppressed admira-
ton.
Blithers. his chief clerk. with keen
appreciation for feminine charms. had
made choice OF which he felt sure
his principal would approve.
The new typist was distinctly beauti-
full; there was grace and refinement In
every curve OF her spendid figure. and
her neat. business-like dress exhibited
taste and appreciation OF the require
ments Of office life. She acknowledged
her employers salptation with the air
OF a duchess conversing with her gar
dener at country flower show.
Mr.. Contango felt awkward In her
presence. Miss Vandeleur had fine
eyes, and when she turned their cool
scrutiny upon the stockholders hands.
ears and feet, those members instantly
assumed unwieldy proportions
On the other hand. strange 10 say,
his avoirdupois seemed to diminish in
~ har IN ID
inches. and IN short, until he had
grown a little accustomed 10 his as
sistant's cool, Indifferent imperious-
ness. Mr. Contango felt like hobble-
dehoy again every moment Of the
time she spent In his room.
He asked her permission to smoke,
and when she coughed softly, the
cause OF her discomfort felt like a
minor criminal up before the city
recorder. And. despite her polite pro
tests, he gave up the habit in her
presence.
AS the days went by her superiority
nettled him badly, but he could ma
no fault with the manner In which her
work was performed. His correspon'
dence was typed with dispatch and &C
curacy, as faultlessly as she did every
thing else intrusted 10 her.
He had nothing against the girl but
her pride Her icy dignity OF demean
or oppressed him at length SO much
that the determination TO break II down
and make her appreciate him at his
true value, as per his own appraise
ment, possessed him 10 the exclusion
OF every other vanity.
So one morning after debating few
ordinary business letters, be said
Now. on my private letter paper, ii
you please" For few moments the
broker nibbled pensively upon an un
lighted cigar to collect his thoughts
then commenced:
My Dear Bramwell Cannerman-
Much obliged 10 you. but 1t Is quite
impossible AS you are aware, | have
already twice declined the honor OF Il
seat In the cabinet. and, although, the
offer of the chancellorship of the ex-
chequer, which Horsquith is vacating
is highly complimentary to me, and a
tribute which | feel deeply. ] regret
cannot see any way TO acceptance.
Sincerely yours.
"CURTIUS CONTANGO."
The CHATTER or keys stopped, ana
Miss Vandeleur was gazing at her EN-
ployer with calm, expressionless eyes.
rs that all?" she asked as she dex-
terously swished the letter from the
machine.
"Um-er-at present" replied Mr..
Contango. slightly disconnected and Sc
cretly incensed at her Indifference.
Then, as she swept from the room, he
chewed irritably upon his dry" smoke
and knit his brows He wasn't beaten
yet by Jove!
And In the afternoon he dictated let
ters as follows
ITO Sir Thomas Upton:
my Dear Old Chap--Sorry you've
decided not TO go for the American
cup this year OF course, I'll take up
the challenge. Couldn't we'll do less
for an old friend
Am instructing Fyfe to go ahead
with Shamrock ". But do you think
f25,000 enough? I don't mind spend
ing $4,000 on craft that will lift
that bit OF plate.