The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-10
MR.. STUBB'S STENOGRAPHER

, Stubs. They were on my desk this
morning." she faltered. Il thought
that man over there left them, and I
hate him"
'Whyf"
because her breath was COM
Ing quickly, he wants me ID go to
PLACES with him, and when l ray no.
1t doesn't make him stop ASKING me"
Stubs lest his air of tin.idity. If
no speaks to you again or worries
you, I'll have ii out with him."
oh" she pleaded. don't do any
thing that will make trouble. That
wouldn't look well for me. would tt?'
NO. IT wouldn't" he agreed; then
he faltered, 1T Is your birthday and
and l want you to have a birthday
! feast"
| She stared at him.
Why. how did you known" she
cried.
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 re-
, member"
Stubs heart thumped: the girls
| eyes, bright with tears. were raised
to his.
I II thought you'd Ike them" no
stammered, and then they matched
your name"
| 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.
II don't have a chance for many
birthday feasts; I'm alone, You know.
II never have any candies on my
cake"
I, 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 vision through the
open door of the bookkeeper. cycling
the proceedings with great curiosity
Hes wondering whats 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 rules. y
What isn't?" demanded the happQ
Stubbs.
"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 stubbs eager
~. You've been as stir--as ram
| rod
They had a gay time of it, In the
Hour in which she chartered brightly
OF her life. and 6tubbs told Of his
ups and downs.
| When they had finished she rose
and said, Now + must GET to work;
there's lots to do"
She had resumed her former man.
i ner, and poor 4Stuhhs sGaxad at her
In despair.
"oh. look here" he said. ''you
aren't going TO treat me that way.
are your"
she blushed. II mustn't treat you
any other way; must II" she asked
TREMENDOUSLY.
perhaps not" he said. ruefully:
but it's been awfully nice TO have
| you unbend for little WHILE"
That night when she left the Of
nee she found the detestable book
keeper waiting for her outside.
so 1t Is Stubs you're after he
said. sneeringly. Il don't admire
your taste"
II am not after any one" she
said, steadily, but he's good and
kind, and he treats me as If ! We're
lady"
You are in love with him." was
the brutal Accusation
ooh. I'm not"' she began. then
stammered and stopped
you are-you can't deny tx
again came the heavy laugh. but
Violet simply stood as II she had
been turned to stone. Did she really
love him--plAsn little stubbs OF the
good hearth
dI wish you'd let me alone" her
voice pleaded. land go away"
I'm walk with you to tho car.
was the insistsnt answer.
You'll not walk with her to ths
car" said determined voice. and
9tubbs appeared from under the
gloomy archway of the big build.
ing. And. moreover. you must oease
to forcs your attention on this younl
lady. or I'll report you to your en-
ployers."
Al tho man skunk away stuhhs
turned radinntiy TO his stenoSra phi or
I s&omehey 7 49, As aid ~ =