The Marshall republican., 1913-03-14
MYSTERIOUS MISS BELL
BY JANE OSBORN.

49,
lies then IL is not hare to see why
Clarence Banks, who had never before
net 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 unsoived mystery. She was battling
from the first day she stepped
into Varnum's Office to this
bic day when her actions seemed to
shatter every foregone conclusion that
Clarence Banks had on the subject of
women.
But besides being a mystery, Miss
Bell was fascinating enough to charm
I more strongly fortified heart than
hat of Clarence Banks. She was one
OF those tantalizing quiet young WON
IN that countless years age occasioned
he sage remark that still waters run
teep' She was, in her work In the
offioe. very friendly. to a certain point.
out beyond that point there seemed to
be a barrier. There was n excep.
lion and this contradiction added to
ne mystery and made q certain Mon.
day after Miss hell 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
Inc tonight. You give a fellow so 1T.
tie chance In the office, and | am
naturally a friendly sort"
Mia n,n npIv uhnnL hos h.nJ .,l
said. NO. thank you"
Eventually, however. she did with
reluctance consent to go to luncheon
with him and Banks could not help
noticing the apparent-or was II
feigned?-enjoyment she derived from
their chat. nor could he hide from her
his admiration for her.
Then for a few weeks they drlfted
into n delightful friendship. She was
aware OF his admiration for her but
In her consciousness OFT she kept
him at bay. still Banks could not
help the CLEAN of easy friendliness
hat came over Narnum's face when
she was with him.
one day-Mlss Bells last day In the
w 1tlll'AllIk HtDHtHfu W
strengthen Banks suspicious. Mrs.
Varnum, a ~klnd.hearted. gray.haired
Woman whom Banks had heard his
senior partner speak OF with the great
EST admiration. called at the Office ON
ner unexpected arrival In the city aft.
er several months absence from home.
She eel unanEounced into her hus.
ha nlfg Anlan Il.nla .a.. lnr gl,a...h
his half open door and then In frantic
haste Miss Bell rushed upon him
through the door that connected his
Office with that OF his senior partner.
She regaineu her composure quickly
but on some absurd excuse remained
In his room till Mrs. Varnum had
gone. The next night. the eve OF a
holiday. varnum and Miss Bell had
work TO DO after dinner and In u mood
OF anger and disappointment Banks
quietly returned also.
Say. you Just got out in time, Betty.
She almost caught YOU Banks heard
Varnum saying Ia the next % with
n jovial laugh and then the young "a
moved towards the door TO listen.
II 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 ONE time
There was n silence and then Var
mum said: Il have arranged with the
agent to get the car day after tomor-
row and you are to pick II out. DO
you think you can learn to run IT,"
"Of course | can said Miss Bell
1oyfully. How wonderful OF you!"
But II IL only la honest payment.
You have earned every cent II cost.
You have been here six months and
you are worth two Of the usual sort.
I 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 n kiss and skip home,
IL would never do for us to 10 to-
gether,"
Banks could stand no more of this.
lie 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.
81 have been listening 10 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. e,
Isn't It wonderful2" said Betty with
the most innocent OF smiles. why
Mr.. Banks"
There was a ohildlike look OF dis.
appointment in her face az she saw
that Mr. Banks failed to Join In the
general Joy OF the situation. Then she
went up to him 10 explain. Don't you
see | have been earning the car 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