The Washington times., 1909-03-26

! considerate. to be sure: but he was cold
/ and formal, as he was to all women.
| beautiful or otherwise
! He spent most of his time i'm the pri-
| vate office. with the door closed. and
! only spoke 20 the new stenographer on
matters Of business.
His attitude toward Miss Hamilton
puzzled Wilbur exceedingly. The latter
had been inclined to believe that Frank
, Darlington had hired the girl for rea-
/ sons of his own-mysteriOus reasons
/ more important and personal than the
/ acquiring Of new stenographer.
! But how could such be the case. VIII
/ bur wondered. when the senior partner
/ appeared 10 he no more interes ed in
her than he would have been in any
! other incumbent Of her position?
Another thing which puzzled 'ilbur
was the attitude Of Arthur Darlington
( toward himself
The junior partners manner toward
him was now extremely friendly He
! seemed TO have forgotten entirely the
quarrel which had occurred between
them over The mysterious photograph.
Nliburs wonder on the subject was
Increased by conversation which took
place between Arthur Darlington and
himself four days after the arrival of
the girl.
What do YOU think OF the new
stenograpner, Leslie?' inquired the
junior partner careIessly, taking advan-
tase OF a moment when Miss Hamilton
had gone intc the private office to take
some letters from his brother
''She seems 20 be an excellent work
ell replied Wilbur, carefully on his
guard
Yes. an excellent worker and pretty
good locker, too, ell, Lesiie?" exclaimed
Arthur with an expressive wink She's
a real ornament TO the office, isn't she2
This dingy ol5 room looks twice as
pleasant since aiIe arrived, doesn't it,"
Wilbur did ro- answer He was in
wardly wondering what his employer
was driving at.
BY the way, Leslie, went on Ar
thur with an elaborate aid of careless
ness How about your love affair?
How about the fair original of that
wonderful photograph Of yours? Have
you met her?'
The question quite TOOK WiIbur's
breath away. What did it mean: What
was the junior partners object in max
ing such superhuous inquiry?
Yes, he replied, somewhat sullenly
after a long pause II have met her"
You have, eng" exclaimed the other
with well feigned surprise. Bully for
YOU, old man. How did YOU manage il?
Where did you meet her?-
Here replied Wilbur. still more sui
lenly.
He had begun 70 perceive MS rivals
game now. and he was prepared TO
show that ne was not TO be bluffed.
Here? By Jove, You don't tell
met exclaimed Arthur, with more well
feigned surprise When was she here.
Leslie2"
To-day ana yesterday and the day
before yesterday" answered Wilbur.
looking the other straight in the eve.
she is here now
Here now! Surely you must be
joking. I don't see her declared the
junior partner. pretending 20 look
around the --oom ia establishment
where is she2"
In there. ~ Wilbur. with frown
pointed toward the closed door of the
private office
In there, Good heavens. do Won
mean Miss Hamilton. the new stenog-
rapHer2 gasped Arthur Do Won
i-''-e'-A ~ 'etE tiAat LoU see any FeScIu-
olance between her and the ladv OIL
your picture"
i mean to say that size is The origI-
mai Of that phOtoEraph-and you know
il" replied Wilbur. glsring at the
other
Good heavens, You must be crazy.
Leslie. Really you must. iVny. there
isn't the slightest resemblance. Miss
Hamilton no more looks like The girl
I'm the picture than look like yod.
Your imagination must 5e playin. YOU
tricks
NV imagination is playing me no
tricks" retorted EVubu- hotly. "If YOU
think YOU can fool me as easily as
that. Mr. ArthU. Darlington. YOU are
greatly mistak ~"
Arthur shrugged MS shoulders
You certainly must he crazy TO see
any resemblance" he declared. why, |
hang il man. produce the photograph
and well compare the two faces and |
III convince YOU of YOUR extraordinary /
mistake"
81 can't produce thc photograph and /
you know that, too cried Wilbur |