The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-09-30

William Gordon's open. boyish face
ciouded with q perplexed frown. He
propped his feet uncomfortably ON his
waste-paper basket and looked vaguely
into the sleet-filled atmosphere visible
from his twentieth story Office win
dow.
William had come to the startling
discovery that he was In love with bis
stenographer. Constance Peck. He did
not know much about her save that a
year before she had been left an or
phan. and had come to the great city
with its chances Of work: that she had
turned to stenography as a means OF
making "a living: that she had been
sent TO him in answer to a request al
the business school where she had
studied: and that she lived alone In a
third-rate boarding house.
But about Constance. the young wo-
man he had fallen in love with. he
knew a great deal He knew that her
soft brown eyes made him forget the
worries and discouragements OF his
struggling young law practice: that
her sweet voice reminded him. some
how. of bird that used to sing In his
fathers apple orchard when be was a
child; that her comforting presence
had become a real necessity TO him,
and thousand other things about her
that he unused on by himself.
But William was troubled II was
one thing to be in love with the young
woman who worked for him; Il was
another thing to tell her. He could
not. as he would have done II Con-
stance had been anyone else than his
stenographer. lead up gradually to the
all-important question. Constance. he
knew from experience. would refuse
to dinner or the theater on
the ground that he and she were only
business acquaintances. and Iove-mak-
ing when he was debating business
letters or talking over once work was
out Of the question to a man like VIII
liam.
Bother II ALL" said william: 81
don't even know where her boarding
house is. and don't dare ask her to
let me call: she'd think I was plying
her. and girl like Miss Peck wouldn't
stand for that"
So William decided to let things 20
on as they we're: as long as Constance
worked for him. she would at least be
near him. and in course Of time. he
hoped. she might come to feed rs he
did.
Though don't see how q girl like
Constance could care for q dufer like
me-" he said.
In the little outside ONCE, where
freckled Johnny jerks, the once boy.
and waiting clients-when there were
kept her company, Con-
stance Peck sat before her typewriter.
Her brown eyes were filled with trou-
Bile. and her thoughts wandered from
The quirls and fiourishes in the note
book by her side. For Constance Peck
was owning to herself that she vas In
ove with her employer.
Il ought to leave" said Constance
70 herself. 1T isn't his fault. though.
and ! suppose leaving would put him
n a hole for another stenographer.
Well. TN just stick 1t out, and maybe
sometime-No: a man like Mr.. Cor
lon couldn't care for q girl like me.
hats certain. Anyway. II stay TIL
'e near him every day. and that's
Johnny's chatter broke In unpIeas-
lntly on her speculations.
Jaw. pshaw!" said Johnny. You're
worse than tie boss The two az
'ou've got something ON your minds"
md be nodded wisely as be tried to
Jet a telephone number.
Johnny" said Miss Peck, I've got
o have quiet or I'll never ret INV
work done. III give you a dime IF
'oull go take a little walk for a half
N hour"
So 1t was that. some twenty minutes
alter. William Gordon. his resolve to
let things 60" resolutely I'm his mind
walked into the outer ONCE To find his
tenographer. struggling with a SINH |
ar resolve. sitting alone before her
typewriter. Tears shone In her dark
yes.
Where's that scamp Of a boy.- de-
handed William. Rercely. thinking per.
laps the boy was the cause of the
ears
Il bribed him to go for a walk said |
Then. without I moments
warming to poor. defenseless william |
wo big tears splashed from her eyes
own on the senseless typewriter |
eys.
IN q moment. William. regardless OF |
II resolutions, had Constance In his |
rms and was kissing her cheeks: and
likewise regardless OF reso- |
itions. was crying comfortably ON his
houlder. But In another moment |
9th remembered themselves. Com.
lance pulled herself free.
IL beg your pardon. Miss Peck
eally didn't mean to- II just couIdn.t
clip It ! never could stand tears
They stood 1ookfnu un~<-e~