The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-03-14
MYSTERIOUS MISS Bell
BY JANE OSBORN

fascinating to the man sbo "olnan
mes then 1t is not hard to o. mystt
clarence Banks. who had neve a'e Why
m met the girl he cared to mar,r USI Ia
fallen very much in love with ~ " had
stenographer. For this non, D Tue new
pher, Miss Bell, was from first s|e tO
an unsolved mystery. She wac 10 ;, 70 last
from the first day sba Usullng
into Varnum's Office to this m o'spped
Bile day when her actions Seeming lo'a'
shatter every foregone copclns,uu ea to
Clarence Banks had on the snH,u .aat
women. U0'ect Of
But besides being mystery :,
Bell was fascinating enough To- miss
a more strongly fortified bas,t 'as'n
that OF Clarence Banks. She w., 'uaa
OF those tantalizing quiet youDa "o n Ole
en- that countless years ago occss "Onl,
the sage remark that still watprs ' u
deep" She was, in her worE T., taA
office, very friendly, to a Certain - III, 'ls
but beyond that point there seem pyIa'
be a barrier. There was one avo.
ton and this contradiction addo ~|ep
the mystery and made a certain ". ="
day after Miss Bell had been IN ' WI
office about two months one of % s'
most memorable in Clarence p,.a Is
career. O"uAS
Il say, Miss Bell" he said "u,-
about staying down to dinner r.S
me tonight. You give a fellow 81 N" Wt
tie chance in the Office, and | ,m
naturally a friendly sort" A
Miss Bell only shook her head -,
said, mo, thank you"
Eventually, however, she did v,A
reluctance consent to 90 to lurcbo.1
with him and Banks could NOT boI.
noticing the apparent-or was
feigned?-enjoyment she derived m"
their chat, nor could he hide from bs,
his admiration for her.
Then for few weeks tbey drs.,
into a delightful friendship. She va.
aware Of his admiration for her In,
In her consciousness Of 1t she kem
him at bay. Still Banks could mt
help the CLEAN OF easy friendlne,,
that came over Varnums face whom
she was with him.
One day-Miss Bells last day in tho
office - something happened to
strengthen Banks suspicious Mrs
Varnum, kind-hearted, grayhairsd
woman whom Banks had heard bs /
senior partner speak Of with the great
est admiration, called at the Office on
her unexpected arrival in the city at
er several months absence from home
She went unannounced into her bus
bands office. Banks saw her through
his half open door and then in frantic
haste Miss Bell rushed upon him
through the door that connected bis
office with that of his senior partner
She regained her composure quickly
but on some absurd excuse remained
In his room till Mrs. Varnum bad
gone. The next night, the eve Of
holiday, Varnum and Miss Bell had
work to do after dinner and in a 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 in the next room With
jovial laugh and then the young man
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
OF course we will have to let hin
know some time"
There was 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 1t out 10
you think you can learn to run IT,
"Of course l can said Miss Bell
joyfully. How wonderful Of YOU
But it is only in honest payment
You have earned every cent 1t COST
You have been here six months and
you are worth two of the usual SOIL
don't know how | will do without
you, little girl, but you have la
enough and now you and your motnH
must enjoy the car together, Come
Betty give me kiss and skip nome
1t would never do for us to 80 W
gether."
Banks could stand no more OF 'lN
He was ashamed of himself for having
listened, but having heard what ne nAa
he could hold back no longer. VIE
a bound he rushed through the %"
into Varnums room
II have been listening to you IoF I'
last ten minutes" he said, fairly BT"
ering at Betty, who had stood al NJ
side in confusion
You are on then" said Naflu-
with jovial laugh as he put Ills si-
around Betty's waist. M
Isn't it wonderful" said Be'! .T T~
he most innocent Of smiles v"
Mr.. Banks" ar.
There was a childlike look u vs.
In her face as sue ~ y,
hat Mr.. Banks failed to JON III ~. ~
,eneral joy Of the situation, Ihea s s
vent up to him to explain DOn.i h,
zee l have been earning the CA ~,
mother, and all the time sue s.r,,,
way she thought l was JUS. S'a ,!.ri
!ome doing nothing. She dlan , s
ne to work, but Dad couldn ! a sas.
he car unless he cut down eAps r n
omehow, and she was SO e.I h.srt
ave one. Now she sees thal i I IIJnt
urt me she won't care lou u
eally think was Miss Bell dlu , ,s
"Oh, Betty" said Banks su Sorm
ealizing the truth and calling ~. .ps.
err first name for the first tilns' ,ars,
Y, forgive mel thought Du'
lind what / thought .soh
This was Bettys last day ID ~ Cl,r
ce but a few days later when ,. Cy@
,,l +ha VarDum laDN'