The Marshall republican., 1913-07-11
MYSTERIOUS MISS BELL
by JANE OSBORN.

neS unen IL is not hard to see why
Clarence Banks, who had never before
met the girl he cared to marry, had
fallen very much in love with the new
st~enographer. For this new stenogra-
pher, Miss Bell. was from first to last
an unsolyed mystery. She was battling
from the first day she stepped
into Varnum's Office to this
BILE day when her actions seemed TO
SKATER every foregone conclusion that
Clarence Banks had on the subject OF
women.
But besides being a mystery, Miss
Bell was fascinating enough to charm
a more strongly fortified heart than
that OF Clarence Banks. She was one
OF those tantalizing quiet young wom.
On that countless years ago occagioned
h sage remark that still waters run
deep She was, In her work in the
Office. very friendly. to a certain point.
but beyond that point there seemed to
be a barrier. There was one excep.
ton and this contradiction added to
tho mystery and made a certain Mon.
day after Miss BELL had been in the
Office about two months one OF the
most memorable in Clarence Banks
career.
Il say, Miss Bell.' he said. How
about staying down to dinner with
me tonight. You give n fellow so lit.
tie chance In the Office, and / am
naturally n friendly sort"
Miss Bell only shook her head and
said. mo. thank you"
Eventually, however, she did with
reluctance consent TO go TO luncheon
with him and Banks could not help
noticing tho a~pparent-or was Il
acknowledgements she derived from
their chat. nor could he hide from her
his admiration for her.
Then for n few weeks they drlfted
Into "A delightful friendship. She was
aware of his admiration for her but
In her consciousness OF II she kept
him at bay. SIN Banks could not
help the CLEAN OF easy friendllness
that came over Varnum's face when
Bhe was with him.
one day-Miss Bells last day in the
Office something happened TO
strengthen Banks suspicious. Mrs.
Varnum, n kind.hearted. gray.haircd
woman whom Banks had heard his
senior partner speak OF with the great.
est admiration. called ut the office on
her unexpected arrival In the city aft
or several months absence from home.
She went unannouncod into her hus.
bands Office. Banks saw her through
his half open door and then In frantic
haste Miss pell rushSd upon him
through the door that connected his
Office with that OF his senior partner.
She regained her composure quickly
but on some absurd excuse remained
In his room TIL Mrs. varnum had
gone. The next night. the eve OF n
holiday. Varnum and Miss Bell had
work TO do after dinner and I'm n mood
OF anger and disappointment BahkS
quietly returned also.
Say. you Just got out In time. Betty.
She almost caught YOU" Banks heard
Narnum saying In the next room with
a joyial laugh and then the young nan
moved towards the door TO listen.
Il think Mr.. Banks was surprised
when | came into his ROOM" said Bet.
ty. do you think he is suspicious?
or course we will have to let him
know some time" go
There was a silence and then Var
nun said: II have arranged with the
agent to get the car day after tomor-
row and you are 10 pick II out, DO
you think you can learn to run III"
"of course I can" said Miss Bell
joyfully. How wonderful of you!"
But 1t is only In honest payment,
You have earned every ent II cost,
You have been here six months and
you are worth two OF the usual sort.
l don't know how ! will do without
you. little girl. but you have had
enough and now you and your mother
must enjoy the car together. Come
Betty give me a kiss and skip home.
1t would do for us to go to-
gether."
Banks could stand no more OF this.
He was ashamed OF himself for having
listened. but having heard what he had
he could hold back no longer. With
a bound he rushed through the door
into Varnum's room.
n 81 have been listening to you for the
last ten minutes" he said. fairly glow
ering at Betty, who had stood at Mr..
Varnum's side In confusion.
you are on then" said Varnum
with a jovial laugh as he put his arm
around Betty's waist.
isn't IL wonderfiI?' said Betty with
the most innocent Of smiles. "Why
Mr.. Banks--"
There vas a ohildlike look Of dis
appointment in her face as she saw
that Mr.. Banks failed to Join in the
general Joy of the situation. Then she
went up to him TO explain. Don't you
see l have been earning the a for
mother. and all the time she was
away she thought ] was Just staying
home doing nothing. She didn't want
me to work, but Dad couldn't afford
the car unless he cut down expenses
somehow, and she was 80 crazy to
have one. Now she sect that 1t hasn't
hurt me she won't care. You didn't
Aa