The Oakes times., 1909-04-29

"But isn't 1t for me to say?"
"Not altogether Please say no morr
about It,"
1t was no use trying to puzzle 1t out
He hadn't the brain power to do It.
Instead of puzzling he went to his
father and said:
Governor, wanted to raise nv
stenographer's salary and she wouldn't
have 1t. What do you think Of that?"
Dear me. Dick, but I hope you are
not going to get into scrape," replied
the father, as he ruD,d his hands to-
gether and looked very anxious. "1f
you think she is trying to get hold
on you you'd better discharge her"
"Oh, see here, dad" said Dick
promptly, Il know that she isn't any
thing Of that kind, but can't make
her out. She won't go out to lunch or
to the theater with me or accept any
ether favors."
"You shouldn't have asked her,
Dick" said Mr.. Brownlow sternly. "At
the same time must say that she is
u AAoos SAA6uNA JOuAS WOuuhl-luOSl
singular. I'm afraid that she is alto
gether too attractive to you"
''Now, dad" said Mr.. Son Brownlow
promptly. chats not fair to her.
simply wanted to make her feel COM
Portable, because-because-well, hang
It, not because she's so confoundedly
good looking as she is, but because
she's n mighty nice girl.'
Some Junior partners might have
given it up, but Dick wouldn't. He
felt that he had been thrown down and
Inundated, and he wanted to know
why. He had sunk his dignity to be
patronizing. and he had been rebuffed.
He had broken a tradition Of the
house in seeking to increase a new
comer's salary and received no thanks
for It,
So one evening he presented himself
at Miss Mills boarding house and
asked for her. He was received in the
parlor, and Miss Mills came down with
no other idea than that he had come
with bad news. He hemmed and
hawed for time and then drew a long
breath and began:
"Miss Mills. would it do any good to
ask you to go to the theater with me
some night toward the last of the
week?"
"I'm afraid not" she answered.
"But can't make you out You re-
fuse to go to lunch with me; you re-
fuse raise of salary; you refuse ITO
go to the theater. Will you tell me
why this is?'' ...
II will, Mr.. Brownlow. am from a
small town in the interior of the state.
My mother Is a widow, and we are
poor. l am here to make living for
both of us.
II had two places before l came to
you, but had to give them up because
Of just such flattery as you have be-
slowed upon me. They were not sat
isfied to let me do as good work as l
could for a fixed sum per week. l
must give up my place with you for
the same reason"
"But I don't see it." replied Dick.
Miss Mills looked at the young man
and perceived that he really did not
''see it." Very patiently and in q tone
not at all angry. she replied:
'Your are the Junior partner in the
house. am your stenographer. You
want me to 60 to the theater with you.
We should see many people there that
know You. Who am II Your stenog-
rapher. What would they think and
say? Perhaps nothing to injure you
socially, but how about mel"
"Miss' Mills" said Dick, getting up
and preparing to 60, Il see now.
Thank you for the lesson. You have
made me realize something, and that
something is that l must seem to you
like pompous fool. And am pomp-
GUS fool, for confess that thought
only Of patronizing you."
Without waiting for reply he bade
her q ceremoni0us "Good night and
hurried away.
The girl watched him go with an ex--
pressionless face, but when the door
closed behind him she hurried to her
room and sobbed bitterly.
That she could not remain with the
nrm was decision that she made
without argument. Indeed. she hesi-
tated next morning as to whether she
should 60 to the office at all or merely
write surrendering her post.
Her sense Of duty conquered. When
she appeared Dick Brownlow did not
attempt to help her of with her veil
and coat, as he had tried before. In
stead he merely said Good morning"
politely and turned to his desk again.
Presently he stepped to her side and
began to dictate. When he was done
he hesitated and said:
"Will you pardon me If recur once
more and for the last time to a per-
sonal matter?''
Miss Mills. who had been trying to
reach the point Of presenting her res
ignation AID finding it very hard.
much to her own indignation at her.
self, said eyes" almost inaudibly.
"Then," said Mr.. Dick Brownlow
bravely, Il will ask you not to resign,
as know you intended to do. could
see it in your face this morning. If it
will make you more comfortable, will
arrange to have you transferred to my
fathers office, but If you would for
/ give me and do me the honor of trust
ing me think can prove to you thai
you will not make mistake by stay
ing in my own Office"
The girl looked at him with eyes
moist with tears. II will stay" said she
| Six months afterward the Son Of