The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-01-11
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
MIR. STUBBS' STENOGRAPHER.
BY Philip Kean.

By Philip kean.
MI. Stubs tiptoed into his office. In
his hands he carried square box tied
with purple string. 1t was early and
the ofhce 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 mad slim little figure and
red-gold hair. Her shabby black suit
was up to date and sailor collar COW
cred the wcTn lapels. Her hat had a
perky bow and her blouse was immac-
ulate.
She took off her coat and hat; then
turned TO her desk. With a little ex-
cIamatlon she opened the box. Inside
was bunch of violets tied with silk
cord OF the same color. The little
stenographer 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, a tall
bookkeeper was bent over his ledger.
Her eyes flashed and she put the VIC
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 wander
ed over the room nervously. Then he
asked huskily, Were you the first one
here, Miss Violet?"
She said yes" deferentially.
II was this Difference which always
frightened Stubs. He was a plain
man. and from the day when the little
stenographer with the red-gold hair
had come in his office, his heart had
bowed before her; yet he had worship
ed in silence, and had preserved so
successfully the attitude OF EMPLOYER
and employe. that the little stenogra-
pher 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
1t out, and had sent her the violets.
AT noon, however. the bookkeeper
sauntered across the hall with the
box in his hands.
Il found this in my ROOM" he said.
Some one must have made a mis-
take; you'd better wear them"
Il don't want to wear them," she
responded coolly.
They're beauties" he persisted.
some fool and his money were soon
parted"
She gave a little gasp. Then she
reached out her hand.
will take them" she said, hur-
riedly.
AS he went out, she looked at
Stubbs. They were on my desk this
morning" she faltered. 81 thought
that man over there left them, and /
hate him"
"Why?
Because" her breath was coming
quickly, "he wants me to go to places
with him. and when l say no, il
doesn't make him stop asking me-"
Stubs lost his air of timidity. eff
he speaks to you again or worries you.
I'll have it out with him"
% she pleaded, don't do anything
that Will make trouble. That wouldn't
look well for me, would it?'
NO. it wouldn't" heagreed; then he
faltered. lit is your birthday and
and l want you to have a birthday
feast"
She stared at him.
why, how did you know" she
cried.
1.-TWO birthday cards came for you
yesterday, don't you remember? And
you showed them to me-
20, you sen5 the violets," she said
gratefully. How lovely of you to
remember"
Stubs heart thumped the girls
eyes, bright with tears, were raised
to his.
Il thought you'd like them," he
stammered, land then they matched
your name"
Violet? They were my mothers ia
vorite flower and she named me after
them"
i 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 90 stop him, but he kept
right on. naming things that women
like, salads and sweets and ices.
As the waiter came up with tray,
they had a vision through the open