The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-03-29
The Fifth StenOgrapher
by EDMUND MOBERLY
lcOpyrlght Ign. ay AasocIated LILeTaTy Pressl

by EDMUND MOBERLY

his edict concerning the age OF the
next woman who should grace his es.
tablishment.
Watson's advertisement brought
but one applicant to Mr. Holbrook-
handsome, somewhat sad-faced WON,
an, whose gown of black well became
the slender plumpness of her figure.
Il am Miss Holmes" she stated
simply 81 have come in answer to
your advertisement for a stenogra.
pher."
"Thirty-fve years of age. or old,
err" added Mr.. Holbrook
81 am able 10 meet that condition" :"
was the calm reply.
The head of the firm was forced to
confess to himself that she did not
look it. Y
Have you had any experience in
this capacity?" he asked.
None, whatever" she answered.
But | have a good education and
have fitted myself carefully for such
a position, and feel can meet all
the requirements set forth in your
somewhat unusual advertisement"
1T was a little out of the ordinary,
wasn't it?"
Yes"
But there was a reason for It,
During the last three years have
lost no less than four stenographers
through matrimony. 1t was a desire
to secure some one who would view
business as other than a stepping,
stone TO marriage that prompted that
ad."
Il can safely say that there is no
prospect of my making such use OF
il, replied Miss Holmes
A trial showed that she was we'll
equipped for the position. Mr.. Hol'
brook reflected, also, that he had
never recognized so many good quail,
ties in an applicant before. He there, |
fore engaged her, and in a few weeks /.
found reason to congratulate himself; /
for she developed an efficiency even .
above that of her very efficient pre- .
decessors. In a few months he began .
to regard her as indispensable, and .
found himself regretting that she was
near him in Office hours only.
And then it came. He was dictat,
ng to her one day, he on the one side
If the big, fiat office table, and she
IN the other, facing him. While
grasping for some solution to
lnotty business problem, he allowed
lis mind to wander. The plainly
office faded from his vision
The table became a dining table, coy.
red with snowy linen upon which
liver cleaned and crystal sparkled-
uch a dining table as one sees in
lome; but Miss Holmes faded from
he picture not at all In his reverie
e saw her sitting opposite him at the
ream table-and then Benjamin Hol-
rook, bachelor, aged forty came
ack to earth with rush He was in
ove. He was certain of it, despite the
ovelty of the sensation.
Mr.. Holbrook was accustomed to di.
ect methods.
Miss Holmes, can you still safely
ay that there is no prospect of your
laking business a stepping stone TO
larriage?" he asked suddenly.
Miss Holmes was also in a reverie.
he came out of it in confusion.
II think so" she managed to
asp.
Then there is a doubt?"
yes; there is a doubt" she ad.
lifted.
q ask you to give me the benefit OF
"Oh. l am not thinking of resign.
g." she protested.
Il am not asking you to give the
lsiness the benefit of the doubt 4
iss Holmes; l am asking you to give
to me. desire you to resign. Can't
ou see what | am getting at? / love
1u. l want you to be my wife"
Wouldn't that be playing hob with J
.e business?" she asked after
luse, smiling through her bushes.
Mr. Holbrook rose from his chair J
Id started toward her She fed to I
e door in a panic and paused With v
9r hand on the knob
THE business is Injured TO such eX' .
,riences by this time" he laughed, &
i'll going toward her You must re. ?
ember that my own romance has a D
Iartet Of precedents right here in the b
ice. However, it shall be the last;
r my next confidential stenographer e
all be a man" "
Miss Holmes covered her face with o.
r hands as he reached for her.
IF that is the case, B-Benjamin,"
e murmured, you might begin to y
ok around for the man" -