Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-12


had never shown her more than the
whole hearted friendliness he showed
every one who worked for him.
"Well," she said to herself one morn
ing as she looked into his empty room.
"he's been gone just week. l don't
know whether I'd rather have him
come back or stay away. Anyway, I'm
a silly goose"
She went resolutely back to her desk
and sat down before the pile OF. let
ters and manuscripts addressed to "Mr.
Dunn"
Among them were few letters for
herself. She put these aside and tao
kfed the manuscript first. After
couple Of hours reading she had two
piles, one labeled Rejected" and one
labeled Accepted" Between them
was long envelope.
'T'm not sure about that one,"
thought Helen. She reread the brief
note accompanying the manuscript.
"Please wire If you do not find it
available. l have duplicate. and
think l can place it here Well" she
added to herself, "Tll think about 1t
while / read my own letters, and then
I'll wire"
She began mechanically to read and
file her own mail--recipes, fashion
notes, inquiries and requests-the same
kind Of thing that came every day.
Suddenly she stared as she hurriedly
tore open an envelope bearing MIR.
Dunn's handwriting.
what can he be writing to me for.
l must have made some absurd blum
der about story, but l don't see how
he'd know yet
As she read the letter her eyes spar
killed. and her cheeks glowed with pleas
ure.
81 have often thought Of telling
you" said the last paragraph, but l
always felt that it would be unfair to
let you know, for of course ! know
that you regard me simply as bust
ness associate, and l know also that
you would not want to work with an
editor you knew wanted to marry you.
So you leave the Star. and I'd be alone.
Something, that last night when /
came to say 'goodby,' gave me an idea
perhaps you did care, after all. Any
way must know, and II you don't l
can go west to a paper that has made
me an offer out there.
That's what l came here to see
about. 1t may seem strange-I've wait
ed so long, but now I'm impatient.
Please wire me-just word or two, SO
that / may know"
Dear, stupid. dignified john" smil-
ed Helen to herself after she had read
the letter through again. Jimmie"
she called-"please, Jimmie, come here.
Do you think that you could send
away any one who comes to see me In
the next hour? You see, I-well, you
see, just don't want to be bothered.
And, oh, Jimmie, please bring me two
telegraph blanks"
"Sure, Miss Bradley" said Jimmie.
good nature from the tip Of his snub-
by, freckled nose to the tips Of his.
stubby boots.
Then Helen settled herself to the
composition Of two kilograms, and
when in the course Of three-quarters
Of an hour they were done she again
called the faithful Jimmie.
Here, Jimmie" she said. II want
these two kilograms sent right OF.
This ones to 60 to this man." and she
handed him slip Of paper containing
the name and address Of the owner Of
the doubtful manuscript, land this
ones to Mr.. Dunn" Then Helen put
the doubtful manuscript In the pile
labeled Rejected"
The next day passed quickly, and in
her excitement and happiness Helen's
work piled up on her desk. When she
tried to read proof she found herself
absently counting the "js" and DIS
instead Of looking for missing words
and misplaced letters. And she found
it much easier to draw plans Of vi
sionary cottages surrounded by shad-
owy gardens than to dispose of the
manuscript before her.
Il don't care" she thought as she
heard the neighboring church bells
chime out o'clock. 'I'I quiet down
now and stay until or so and finish
everything up. Let me se'e-he must
have got my telegram today. and to-
night maybe he'll write, and I'll get
his letter tomorrow, and then l can
write again, and-ohr'
Helen stopped suddenly as the door
opened. Breathless from running up
stairs, mystification and uncertainty
in his kind eyes, John Dunn burst
into the room. Helen started impul-
sively toward him, but when she saw
the look In his eyes she hesitated.
"Why-what's the matter?" she ex.
claimed.
"Helen-Miss Bradley" he said, II
came to see-I don't understand-your
answer"
Didn't you get my message-a tele-
gramT' demanded Helen, as mystified
IN her turn as John.
John held a little slip Of yellow pa.
per out to her. Cannot accept" 1t
said. mot enough human interest.
Needs more personal appeal" Then