The Southern herald., 1912-04-12

z am able to meet that condition, =
was the calm reply.
The head OF the firm was forced to
confess to himself that she aid not
look it,
Have you had any experience in
this eapacity?" he asked.
None, whatever" she answered.
But have a good education and
have fitted myself carefully for such
a position, and I 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 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
It" replied Miss Holmes.
A trial showed that she was well
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 few months he began
to regard her as indispensable, and
found himself regretting that she was
near him in Office hours only.
And then 1t came He was dictat.
ing to her one day, be on the one side
Of the big. fiat office table, and she
on the other, facing him. While
grasplng for some solution to a
knotty business problem, he allowed
his mind to wander. The plainly
furnished ofice 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 II, despite the
novelty Of the sensation.
Mr.. Holbrook was accustomed to di.
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 a doubt?"
"Yes; there is a doubt" she ad
mitted.
Il 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; l am asking you to give
ii to me. desire you to resign. Can't
you see what am getting at? love
you. l want you to be my Wife"
wouldn't that be playing hob with
the business?" she asked after
pause, smiling through her bushes.
Mr.. HOlbrook rose from his chair
and started toward her. She fled to
the door in a panic and paused with
her hand on the knob.
"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 stenographeF
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 tr
look around for the man."