Gilpin observer., 1909-10-14
NO WEDDING BELLS
FOR THE JUNIOR PARTNER AND
THE sTENoGRAPHER.
Mr.. Branscombe Was Wealthy and
Handsome and All That, But
Miss Hawtrey cIune to
Her Little $12 Per.

But" urged Mr.. Branscombc, the
junior partner, after Miss Hawtrey, the
beautiful stenographer, had said that
she could not become his wife, 81
can't understand why you refuse me
l am not an old man-that is, l hope
I'm not old. OF course, some men
are very old at my age; but I've tried
to keep young. and at 35 no man has
the right to feel that he is getting
old. AS for my financial standing.
can say that l am rich enough to in
sure you not only a comfortable home
but many Of the Injuries that are dear
to a woman"
II haven't the least doubt about
that" the lady replied. III I were
going to marry l should not wish my
husband to be any younger than you
are. A man Of 35 ought to know his
own mind. But, really. l wish you
would not urge me any more"
"I-I-perhaps 1t is rather undigni-
fled for me to say SO, but hope l am
not altogether unattractive as far as
my personal appearance is concerned"
Indeed. you are not. Mr.. Brans-
combe. You are. II you will excuse me
for saying SO, a very handsome man"
Thank you'll thank you with all
my heart. my dear Miss Hawtrey. And
l hope my treatment of you has al
ways been gentlemanly."
III 1t had not been should not
have remained here"
III you have any doubts concerning
my past l can assure you that there
is nothing in 1t which l should be
ashamed to have you know about"
That is a great deal for a man to
be able to say to woman"
Yes. I am glad you take that view
of 1t. May hope that shall be able
in time to make you change your
mind? do not insist on a hasty mar.
riage. II you will only give me any
reason to feel encouraged I will wait
and try to convince you that I am
worthy Of you?"
Really. l must say at once that
do not desire you to go on treasuring
any hope. / am sure that shall not
change my mind"
Have you thought how much It
would mean to you to be the mistress
OF splendid home? To never have
to bother about money? To have
servants to do your bidding? To. in
short. be the wife OF a man Of high
standing in the community"
Yes. I've thought about all that.
prefer to remain as I am"
Il confess that l can't understand
you. Your salary here Is never likely
to be any higher than it Is at present,
and you must often find 1t exceedingly
difficult to get along on your income
to get the things that woman natur.
ally wishes to have in the way of
clothes and that sort OF thing. and
then there is the necessity OF coming
into the city, rain or shine. to work
among a lot Of men who are not al.
ways. fear. as respectful or as gal.
liant as men ought to be in their deal
Ing with ladies. Think how much
better II would be to have a splendid
home to preside over: to"
That's the very thing l don't want.
II l had home to preside over
should have to stick there day after
day, with no chance to get out and be
among people-to see the world-to
be a part of it. Not for me. Willie"
Miss Hawtrey. will you kindly re-
turn to your typewriter and get of
the letters ! dictated to You this fore
noon? And don't forget that they are
to be sent out to-day even II you have
to remain at work till eight o'clock
tonight. have noticed recently that
you have been taking three-quarters
Of an hour off at luncheon. Remem.
Der that you are to be absent only
half an hour"
The horrible old CROUCH Miss
Hawtrey muttered. as she returned to
her work. he wants the earth for Sl2
n week"