The Virginia enterprise., 1912-04-05

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-
a handsome, somewhat sad-faced wom-
an, whose gown of black we'll became
the slender plumpness of her figure.
II am Miss Holiness" she stated
simply. Il have come In answer t.
your advertisement for a stenogra-
| pher.''
'Thirty-five years of age, or old
er?" added Mr.. Holbrook
Il am able to meet that condition. %
| was the calm reply.
The head of the firm was forced to
| confess to himself that she did not
| look it.
Have you had any experience in
this capacity?" he asked
None, whatever" she answered.
But | have good education and
have fitted myself carefully for such
a position, and | feel l can meet all
the requirements set forth in youl
somewhat unusual advertisement"
1T was little out of the ordinary,
wasn't it,"
YES"
But there was reason for 1t.
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
| ofh hon n o..
stone 10 marriage that prompted thaI
ad."
; Il can safely say that there is nc
prospect of my making such use OF
1t" replied Miss Holmes.
A trial showed that she was Well
equipped for the position. Mr.. E1ol-
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 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-
ing to her one day, he on the one side
Of the big, fiat office table. and she
on the other, facing him. While
grasping for some solution to a
knotty business problem, he allowed
his mind to wander. The plainly
furnished Office faded from his vision.
The table became a dining table, COW
cred with snowy linen upon which
silver cleaned and crystal sparkled-
such dining table as one sees In a
home; but Miss Holmes faded from
the picture not at all. In his reverie
he saw her sitting opposite him at the
dream table-and then Benjamin Hol-
brook, bachelor, aged forty, came
back to earth with a rush. He was in
love. He was certain of it, despite the
| novelty of the sensation.
Mr.. Holbrook was accustomed to d.
rect methods.
Miss Holmes, can you still safely
say that there is no prospect OF your
making business a stepping stone to
marriage?" he asked suddenly.
Miss Holmes was also in reverie.
She came out of it in confusion.
IL think so," she managed to
gasp.
Then there is doubt?"
"Yes; there is a doubt" she ad
mitted
II ask you to give me the benefit Of
it."
"Oh, am not thinking OF resign
Ing" she protested.
Il am not asking you to give the
business the benefit Of the doubt
Miss Holmes; am asking you to give
it to me. l desire you to resign. CAM
you see what am getting at? l love
you. l want you to be my wife,"
wouldn't that be playing hob with
the business?" she asked after q
pause, smiling through her bushes.
Mr.. Holbrook rose from his chair
and started toward her. She fled tC
the door in panic and paused with
her hand on the knob.
1.-The business is Injured to such ex
periences by this time," he laughed
still going toward her. You must re-
member that my own romance has a
quartet Of precedents right here in the
office. However, 1t shall be the last;
for my next confidential stenographe1
shall be a man.
Miss Holmes covered her face with
her hands as he reached for her.
If that is the case, B-Benjamin,'
she murmured, you might begin tc
1NoE around for 20