The Washington times., 1909-03-24
CHAPTER VIII.
THE GIRL AND THE PICTURE.


II did not seem possible that
the girl standing before him could be
anything more substantial than an ap-
partition. If she had suddenly evapor-
ated into thin air he would not have
been at all surprised-in fact. he more
than half expected that just such
calamity would happen, and therefore
he made the most of his opportunity by
feasting his eyes upon her while she
stin remained visible.
So fixedly and admiringly did he gaze
at her beautiful face that she blushed
and averted her gaze. staring hard at
the uncarpeted office foor-a picture OF
sweet confusion and modesty-
IL was not until she spoke that VIII
bur began to realize that she was really
a creature OF flesh and blood and not
a creation of his imagination.
Her first words inclined him toward
the belief that she was real And what
she said surprised him greatly.
''If YOU please, I would like 10 see
Mr.. Frank Be rrington," she said, tim
Idly.
Mr.. Frank Darlington" gasped Will
bur, scarcely realizing that he spoke
aloud. You must mean Mr. Arthur
harrington. don't your
For, assuming that she was a real
flesh and-blood girl and not an appari-
ton, it seemed rather queer that she
SHOULD ask for the senior partner, in
view OF the mysterious and intense In
terest which the junior partner had dis
played concerning. her.
"No. I mean Mr., Frank Darlington"
replied the girl ''It is his name which
is signed TO the letter"
Letter. repeated Wilbur, dazedly.
"Did Mr.. Frank send you letter."
eyes. OF course, he did--a letter
asking me to call here this afternoon.
That is why I am here. 1 have been
hired as the new stenosrapher, you
know. Is Mr.. Darlington in, please,
and can see him?
Wilbur gasped again. The new ste
nographer! Could it be possible that
this glorious girl was the young wom-
an about whom Frank Darlington had
spoken to him an hour ago.
Could IL really be true that she was
about TO become his fellow employer
To sit in the same office with him day
after day? To take letters. sometimes.
from his dictation, for he often hand
led the firms correspondence? To be
within the range Of his vision during
working hours?
It was marvellous TO contemplate. Il
was a heavenly prospect. IT really
seemed too good to be true. It was, in
Wilbur's opinion, quite the most won
derfuI miracle that had ever happened.
If he had been infatuated with the
photograph of this girl he was twice
as enchanted by the original who now
stood before him.
Ehe portrait was good likeness
4s far as portraits go; but the camera
had lacked the power 10 depict the
full extent of the charms of this won
derful girl.
Wilbur Leslie, head over heels IN
love with her, although he did not as
yet know even her name. was so daz-
zled by her beauty that he sat there
staring stupidity a her. like a man in
a hypnotic state, and made no attempt
10 answer the question she had asked
him.
He might have sat thus Fo- several
hours, If the girl. with trace of in
dignation I'm her tone. had not brought
him abruptly to his senses by saying:
IF Mr.. Frank Darlington is not in at
present, perhaps I had better 20 and
call again later. His letter instructed
me to report to him, personally"
'Oh, no. Please don't got' exclaimed
Wilbur, in horror at the thought Mr..
Frank is in He's in his private office.
Please don't 60 away"
Then kindly tell him that Hiss Laura
Hamilton is here"
, Miss Laura Hamilton" repeated
Wilbur, ecstatically. so that is your
name. 1t is a very pretty name. Just
the kind Of name 1 expected Won to
have. Laura, u il the sweetest,
dsiutiest name a girl could possess. 1
think"
TIE girl flushed crimson, and her fea.
lures assumed an expression of annoy
snce.
II beg your pardon" she said, indig-
n<ptIy II did not come here 20 listen
10 such compliments. / came here TO
see Mr.. Frank Darlington. Are you
going TO tell him that ! am here. or are
you noty''
Yes, yes" exclaimed Wilbur. sud-
denly realizing his bOldness. Excuse
me. Miss Hamilton. / did not think
what I was saying. was speaking
more 10 myself than TO you. ! meant
no offense. I assure you. Kindly take a
seat, and l will tell Mr. Frank right
away"
Reluctant 20 leave her captivating
presence. but realizing that ne must do
50, Wilbur rose from his chair and al
most staggered into the private office OF
the senior partner.
She IS here" ne announced almost
with tragic air.
She, NNho?'' Mr.. Frank Darlington
naturally wanted to know.
Miss Laura Hamilton. She saws that
she is the new stenographer. am she
wants to see you right away"
Having impaired this information,
Wilbur did not wait for his employer
reply. Dut hurriedly returned 10 the
cutter office. determined not 20 leave the
girl ont Of his range OF vision any
. longer stretch Of time than was abso-
Iutefy necessary.
Frank Darlington followed hard on
the heels Of his clerk
'Ha, SO YOU are Miss Hamilton
he said II am glad TO meet you, YouI
letter Of application was very salts
factory. and IL you are able 10 do the
work as you say, / shall be glad &c