The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-09
TIE EVENING STORY
NE. stubbs, stenographer.

Mr.. Stubs tiptoed into his office
In his hands he carried square box,
tied with a purple string. 1t was early
and the Office was empty. The little
man placed the square box on the desk
of his stenographer and tiptoed out
again.
A half hour later the stenographer
came She had a slim little figure and
red-gold hair. Her shabby black suit
was up-to date and a sailor collar COW
cred the worn lapels. Her hat had
perky bow, and her blouse was i'm
maculate.
She took off her coat and hat; then
turned to her desk. With a little ex-
clamation she opened the box Inside
was a bunch of violets, tied with silk
cord of the same color. The little stem
ographer brooded over them Her
name was Violet, and they were her
favorite flower.
She wondered who could have put
them there Across the way, in the
Office of the real estate agent, tall
bookkeeper was bent over his ledger
Her eyes flashed and she put the vio-
lets in the box, then tiptoed across the
hall, deposited them just within the
door.
Two minutes later, when Stubs
came. she was tapping the keys of her
typewriter. Stubs gaze wandered
over the room nervously. Then he
asked huskily, Were you the first one
here Miss Violet?"
She said yes" deferentially.
It was this Difference which always
frightened Stubs. He was plain
man. and from the day when the little
stenographer with the red-gold hair
had come into his office, his heart had
bowed before her; yet he had wor-
shipped in silence, and had preserved
so successfully the attitude of employ
rapher had never guessed the truth
She had her doubts, however, about
the bookkeeper across the way, who
had forced upon her attentions which
she detested.
Today was her birthday, and she
concluded that the fellow had found
it out, and had sent her the violets
At noon, however. the bookkeeper
sauntered across the hall with the box
in his hands.
''Some one must have made mis-
take. you'd better wear them
Il don't want to wear Them" she re-
sponded, coolly.
They're beauties" he persisted.
"some fool and his money were soon
She gave a little gasp. Then she
reached out her hand.
Il will take them" she said hur-
riedly.,
a
s'They were on my desk this morning"
she faltered. at thought that man over
there left them, and 1 hate him.
''Why?"
Because her breath was coming
quickly, ''he wants me to go to places
with him, and when say no, 1t doesn
make him stop asking me-"
Stubs lost his air of timidity- IF
he speaks to you again or worries
you. I'll have it out with him."
"Oh,' she pleaded, don't do any
thing that win make trouble. That
wouldn't WON'T look ell for me, would il?
mo, it wouldn't he agreed; then
he faltered 1T is your birthday and
and I want you to have birthday
feast
She stared at him.
''Why, how did you know" she
..Two birthday cards came for you
yesterday, don't you remember? And
you showed them to me-"
"Oh, you sent the violets'' she said
gratefully How lovely of you to
stubbs's heart thumped; the girls
eyes. bright with tears, were raised
4 thought you'd like them" he
stammered, land then they matched
violet? They were my mothers
favorite flower and she named me
after them.
II am going to phone for that
lunch" He was smiling down at her
Il don't have a chance for many
birthday feasts; I'm alone, you know.
never have any candles on my cake"
She tried to stop him, but he kept
right on. naming things that women
like, salads and sweets and ices.
AS the waiter came up with the tray,
they had a vision through the open
door of the bookkeeper, cycling the
proceedings with great curiosity
Hes wondering what's up" Stubs
chuckled.
AS they sat down opposite each other
at the end of the big table, in the inner
office, Violet said, You know this isn't
according to rules2"
..What isn't?" demanded the happy
"a girl said Violet, her eyes dane
ing. SHOULD never eat lunch with her
employer; she should preserve strict
business etiquette"
But you have said Stubs eager
Iy you've been as stif-as ram
They had gay time of it in the
hour in which she chartered brightly
of her life, and Stubs told of his ups
When they had finished she rose and
said, Now must get to work; there's
lots to do
She had resumed her former man
ner, and poor Stubs gazed at her in
s.oh, look here" he said, you aren't
going to treat me that way, are you p
She bIushed- IT mustn't treat you
any other way; must ?" She asked
Perhaps not" he said, ruefuliy;