The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-16
THE EVENING STORY
Miss Mills and Dick.


OF him. Dick was twenty-three years
old. He had been squeezed through
college and made many trips abroad.
he was member of three clubs, and
1t had cost his father $4,000 to get
him to his present point in life.
He was just recovering from a hi
lar1ouS SmaShup in an auto, and was
feeling bit repentant when his father
announced the partnership and Undue
ed him to make certain resolves.
Dick had been using the office as a
sort of "hang-out" for two or three
months, and had at last advanced in
the business world to the point where
he could acknowledge an order by
mail and almost bluff the old office
manager and other employees.
Then the older Brownlow decided
that his son ought to have stenogra-
pher all to himself, and an advertise
ment was accordingly inserted. There
were forty-nine answers, and it was
up to Dick to peruse them and make
up his mind which applicant to take.
He had five of them call at the Of
flee, and chose Miss Mills because she
was the best looking of the lot. 1t
was Dicks idea that good looks form
ed the basis of stenography and type
writing. His father didn't agree with
him, but he did not wish to Introduce
any argument into the partnership
tnat might strain the young mans
brain. So Miss Mills appeared on a
certain Monday morning and began
her work.
Although he was the Junior part
ner, Dick determined at once to prove
her right to live, but that he was
rather glad she was alive.
That afternoon the Son of Brown
low & Son dictated two letters and
spent the rest of the time in patroniz-
ing mis- stenographer He asked many
questions and related some of his ad-
ventures.
1t was thus that he sought to con-
yey the idea that stenography, while
looked at in a business way by some,
mad social side, to his mind.
When noon came he felt that he
mad made matters so pleasant that he
with him. She looked him sedately in
the eyes and refused politely. There
had been an expression in her face
for moment, however, as If she in
tended to give notice and resign her
place on the spot. But evidently her
glance at Dicks frank, honest face
overcame this idea if she had it.
Inc Junior partner was astonished.
To do him justice, he was not indig
nant. But he was piqued.
The setback made him assume more
dignity in the afternoon, and If he was
not glad of it, Miss Mills was. 1t was
two days before the invitation was re-
newed and as promptly refused and
then he observed: d.
"Of course not, if you don't wish to.
but I must confess that can't make
you out"
'I am here as stenographer and
typewriter, am 1 not?" she asked.
Certainly"
And have you any fault to find
with my work thus far PSI
mot bit, but-you see-you know
Il invited you to lunch"
And I preferred to go by myself"
That was another setback for Dick,
and it naturally set him to studying
the problem. He was not accustomed
to being refused anything by anybody.
1t was a real relief to him when fin
ally he decided that the girl stood in
awe of him because he was the Junior
partner of the house. 1t seemed to
him only kind that he should dissi-
pate that ave.
At the end of another week he made
it his business to overtake her on the
street as she was going home. Bow
Miss Mills, a friend of mine who
was going to the theatre tonight with
his wife has been disappointed and
has given me the tickets. wouldn't
you like to accompany me?"
II have another engagement"
she replied, blushing both because it
was false and because he knew it was
false.
"Oh--ah-I see It's a great play
Il thank you just the same.''
That was another surprise for Mr..
Dick Brownlow, but he didn't turn on
his heel with the mental threat to dis
morning.
She was new kind of girl to him,
but he was playing fair. He'd have
wagered 10 to that she would jump
at the chance, and why she didn't
jump puzzled him. He could only lay
it to her feeling Of awe He hadn't
broken that down yet.
Miss Mills went to her duties next
morning wondering If she would be
told that her services were no longer
required, but nothing of the sort
awaited her. On the contrary, about
when she had written
several letters, the junior partner re-
marked:
miss Mills, want to say that your
work gives the greatest satisfaction,
dFom edf from s9a 70 sis
"But 1 can't earn SIC a week-not
now she replied. I'm only be-
ginner, and I'm glad to earn twelve"
"You refuse a raise of salaryi" he
constituent.
eff you please-until can earn
every penny of il"
"But isn't it for me to say?"
mot altogether. Please say no more
about it,"
Dick came down with another thud. |
1t was no use trying to puzzle it out. |
He hadn't the brain power to do II. |
Instead of puzzling he went to his
father and said:
Governor, I wanted to raise my |
salary, and she would |
not have it. What do you think of
that?'
Dear me, Dick, but I hope you are |
not going to get into a scrape," re-
piled the father, as he rubbed his |
hands together and looked very anx- |
ious. 'If you think she is trying to |
get a hold on you you'd better dis |
"Oh, see here, dad said Dick |
promptly, "I know that she isn't any |
thing of that kind, but I can't make /
her out. She won't go out to lunch |
or to the theatre with me-or accept |
any other favors."
s'You shouldn't have asked her. |
Dick" said Mr.. Brownlow sternly. cat /
IL "a me time I must SAY that she is