The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-18


Is still before you All the unhappiness OF this cruel
aey WI be bioted out and the sting OF sudden
again.
pitiful attempt to accept his cheerful augury
something prophetic, Il shall recall how impossible
IT seems to to-day"
1t was sylvia's great problem and her lack OF pre-
minary training left Nher helpless solve it. when
ene uied TO take stock of her possible resources
she could settle on nothing that likely to prove
wa & She could play and sing in amateurish
way she had rather a pretty knack composition
put was lamentable speller. was unskiIled
housewifery because she had never kent house ana
she was not adept with her needle. Clearly she
mad reason to doubt her capacity to become sue
i've to which she was reduced. There was not even
tune TO hesitate so urgent was the need
m ner repression she searched the newspapers. ana
made lists of everything suggested the parest
.opo. ana OF many things which did not. Then
tuned her courage the highest note and set out
on her novel errand The first advertisement in her
coeetefa was for private secretary the head
mammoth concern which collected all
parts of the globe and sold at bargain prices sylvia
Kne" that there We're such factotums private
Ietarles but of their qualifications and duties she
was profoundly ignorant.
That was the reason she her way to the
oiee OF the advertiser and asked for interview
with the president At first sight of him she came to
the conclusion instantly that she had Numbered He
was young man of about her years a giant
IN stature, with face and figure OF per
Iecuon. but with an expression and manner that
Are you another applicant for the vacancy in nv
once? he asked her in tone civil enough, but sug
gesting Mount Olympus.
sylvia was too uncertain of her speak,
she nodded slightly and tried to recover her SELF
possession
What is your name ?" he continued with a look
IN ms great blue eyes that eloquent superb
orly mat she could answer him only in tremuious
Have you any wel-denned reason to suppose that
you coud be satisfactory to me-" he demanded ottily
, AT that she rallied, her Indignation developing
sow ti put very certainly. I'm quite sure L
shouldn't" she said firmly.
that his seemed less nsstently still thn
mere the bluest she had ever seen and she did
like the color.
Would you mind telling why you are so surs-"
ne asked and for the life OF her she couldn't tell
the honest expression OF n desire TO be informed
-, m afraid IN not competent" she said giving him
the benefit of the doubt, Il have had no expert
ence."
He smiled frigdly 1T is possible that you under
who have applied for the position profess lack
confidence in your capacity. That of itself is
"v TSiay WIZ give you trial
nay the extraordinary young man touched a bell
ana 10 the slight dark young man who appeared
instantly from an inner Office he give
amazing order
tary until further notice You will her as to
what Is expected eff her and arrange salary T
Monday" 1'' 4''1' "0' 'e''iH 0'N
SO saying. turned on his heel without so much an
glance at her and left the room.
Sylvia could only stare the remaining Young man
with look that hesought enliehtenn1en, Hs mad
seated himself the table opposite her and his clear
cur; refined face was aglow with amusement ana
polite interest.
First Vt ALL" said. with a little laugh that dis
solved some OF the gloom that had fallen her
you are not to take our president seriously.
is so new to the bushes he isn't properly aa-
1usted yet Until very recently he a post-grad-
uate student the university. His fathers death put
him at the head of this great concern without warn
ing His father invented this SYSTEM and made tt
what IT is, General Maitland was wonderful man
Sylvia did not word. but she wondered IL
the had inherited his fathers manner The
young man must have OWNED her thoughts for he
looked rather conscious he proceeded; The gem
eral was a second Chesterfield in department. He
had the most agreeable manner of person have
ever known"
sun Sylvia did not trust herself speak. Left to
make the conversation as he would, ne continued:
But our president is very like his father in many
ways He is the soul OF integrity very clever.
to finish Every here realizes he is capable
Of great things He has already revouonized every
thing
But is that good-for business? ?" asked sylvia
Precisely what it NEEDED" he replied earnestly 1T
was getting little archaic you know our competi-
tors were beginning to make IL warm for our new
head has already Worried them. Tney
ing what he will do next"
She sighed feebly his words recalled her own
unsettled future.
Pardon me he said ! am firing YOU with
talk about stephen Maitland. / should be telling you
what you will be expected To do mis- private
his letters" '''' 'e"' A''
Never exclaimed Sylvia positively
Not at all difficult" he laughted "He doesn't re-
ceVe many letters Of business nature and
you discover their tendency turn them over
inspect"
Sylvia shook her head despairngIy
There are very few OF them he FASTENED TO assure
her and they are almost exclusively invitations
decline without consulting him The latter YOU must
return to Their writers with printed slip referring
them to the United Charities Association.
And for the actual duties. please" said sylvia
with dignity
That's about the list, far have been able
TO find out or course. if ! to be ncapacitated
by sickness or any other cause suppose you would
be expected to do my
What would that be ~
Il am sort of combination of stenographer busf-
ness secretary and confidential adviser. But should
advise you not to cherish any vain hope of stepping
into my shoes even temporarily. I'm "a ana
am very careful To avoid being hurt Your salary
VIII be sl2 10 begin Shall put the payroll.
Miss-Mse'
Mrs Sylvia Brough." she corrected with stu
greater dignity.
An, see" ne said. writing the name on a slip Of
paper
Il am pretty sure shall not be satisfactory she
said, rising go. / must try for it's very neces-
sary that / should
To morrow morning, then, anywhere between and
IL he called out pleasantly she leaving
a year, later Sylvia made another visit to Judge