The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-16

she was too sleepy to do ner work In
the morning and was rather irregular
Then she was Ill, Off for fortnight.
had Peters hire me another stenogra-
pher, a man, and Miss Gentles still
drew her pay. Peters winked at me
when suggested that he needn't men,
ton the fact Of her absence in his re-
port. I suppose, II had stopped to
think of It, should have considered it
more businesslike Of her to quit her
society and parties when she found
they were interfering with her work.
1t was human. though. that she should
want to get a little fun out Of life and
not lose sight altogether of the gay
world where they have time to amuse
themselves. And q pretty woman like
her could hardly be expected to take
stenography in a stockyards effice sert
ously.
Well, I missed her more and more.
especially as ! couldn't see her now
that she was Ill and had to content my
self with nice little notes of thanks for
the flowers and fruit sent. She came
back at last. looking weak and droopy.
for the drst time rather hopeless, as II
she saw that she wasn't fitted for the
job and couldn't keep up with her
friends either. l felt very sorry for
her. She wasn't made for work-any
one could see that-and 1t was a cruel
shame 10 let her boggle on with It
Just then I had to go to Texas on
business. When l got back q week OF
so later, Peters told NE that Miss Gen.
ties had left i've days before. A cold
little note On ny desk said goodby and
thanked me for my kindness to her
never q werd Of explanation.
was 20 upset that I didn't wait ia
open my letters. but called a cab and
was the matter. 1t was just n well ]
had been in q hurry, for in another ten
minutes Miss 0entles would have been
on her way to Louisville, and 1t would
have taken . week to hunt out the
small place In Kentucky where she
was going. Her trunk was packed,
and she was sitting with her aunt In
the large, ugly parloF waiting for the
expressman to come. When I walked
draw back her veil, but merely stood
up and touched fingers with me.
saw that something was 90 wrong that
it had to be made right at once, with
no time to spare.
"You will kindly let me speak to
Miss Gentles alone" said to the
aunt, who was inclined to stick. She
went out Of the rem ungraciously.
''Now." said. taking the girls hand
and looking through her veil into her
eyes. what Is the matter? Tell me-"
Her eyes were large and moist. and
her lips Qu1vered. but she shut her
teeth down hard and said stimy:
'.Nothing whatever. Mr.. Harrington.
You are very kind to come to see me
before I leave"
You aren't going to put me OF with
any such smooth answer Al that"
said. cor you will have my company all
the way you're going. wherever II may
be. Tell me the straight truth and all
of It."
She began to laugh at my blumng
words and ended with q nervous sob.
After awhile I learned the whole story.
It seems that the man I employed talk
ed cut n the once about how he did all
my wesk and while was south one of
the lady" stenogrAphers had said
something to Miss Gentles-a some
thing she would not tell me. So she got
up and took her leave, and, knowing
that hAsp old amt wouldn't rant her