Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-09-21

dustriously running through the ad-
vertisements in pile of newspapers
Occasionally she stopped to make re-
mark to herself on her unhappy fate
IF cnly," she thought, "he hadn't
said he couldn't help it. If he had
done 1t because he wanted to-" she
broke off. blushing and went to work
again
Finally she came to an advertise
ment that called for young woman
OF Just her requirements. 1t read:
wanted, a stenographer and private
secretary. Must be accurate and re-
fined, with some knowledge of law
yer's work !" So far Constance felt
that she could fill requirements, but
the next phrase made her hesitate.
Answer by letter, giving reference
and stating reason for leaving last EN-
ployer"
Clearly, Constance could not give
Mr Gordon as reference And it
would be difficult to explain her rea-
son for leaving him. But Constance
looked affectionately about the bare
room, thought of her empty pocket
book and the fat, compelling landlady
downstairs, and set to work writing
an answer to the advertisement
Il think this will do" she said fin
ally repeating the last part of her let
ter to herself. 81 cannot give my last
employer as reference, as do not
want him to know where am. l left
him because he could not give me
what | wanted" There; that sounds
all right, and 1t isn't lie, but it
doesn't give either of us away. 1t
sounds as If what wanted was more
money, instead of -"
With bootless sigh Constance fold
ed the letter. slipped it into the en-
velope, sealed it and then dressed to
go and mail it and take long walk
In the fnvigorating winter air
Late that afternoon Mrs. Foley, the
landlady, brought word to Constance
that gentleman had called to see her
In answer to an advertisement Mrs.
Foley, now that work was in prospect
for her pleasant little Darkroom
boarder looked kind and almost moth
erly; for work meant promptly paid
board bills
Il just put him in my own parlor
and you'll not be disturbed. Just shut
the door when you go in and stay as
long ay you want to. I'll wait here till
you come back" she said.
A moment later Constance shut the
door behind her as she entered the
1andlady's little parlor. Then she look
ed uncertainty to her new employer.
who stood with his back to her, look.
ing dusk.
II believe you want to see me-" she
said.
Constance" said the man, and Viii.
liam Gordon faced her. There was a
new light in his steady gray eyes, and
a new assurance in his bearing.
Constance, awed, said nothing.
Constance, you answered my adj"
he smiled Did you leave me be-
cause you wanted something couldn't
give you?"
Yes" murmured Constance.
WAS it more money!"
+. NO"
3aWhat made you think. that what
you wanted was more than could
give you? Didn't you know when
kissed YOU
II thought it was only pity" said
Constance. This time she went will
ingly to William Gordon's outstretch-
ed arms.
A long time later Constance and
William still sat in Mrs. Foley's par
lor. 1t was dark.
will you come tomorrow" said
William at last.
DO you mean in answer to the ad.
vertisement?"
mo. Constance" said William 81
can advertise for another stenograph-
er: couldn't advertise again for a.
Wife"
A little later. when William had
gone, Constance went blissfully up to
her room and found Mrs Foley wait
ing patiently.
Lands" said Mrs. Foley, as she got
up from the low chair where she had
been sitting. Did you get the job?
You were long enough about 1t.
Yes" said Constance happily. "and
oh, Mrs. Foley, it's for life I'm going
to be married tomorrow"