The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-05-08
MYSTERIOUS MISS BELL
By JANE OSBORN.

Aeo IAcA II Is IGL nara 10 see why
Clarence Banks, who had never before
met the girl he cared to marry, had
fallen very much in love with the new
stenographer. For this new stenogra
paer, MISS Bell, was from first to last
an unsolVed mystery. She was battling
from the first day she stepped
into Farnum's Office to this memora,
BE day when her actions seemed tc
shatter every foregone conclusion that
Clarence Banks had On the subject OF
women.
But besides being q mystery. Miss
Bell was fascinating enough to charm
q more strongly fortified heart than
that Of Clarence Banks. She was one
of those tantalizing quiet young WON
81 that countless years ago occasioned
the 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 barrier. There was one excep
. ton and this contradiction added to
the mystery and made a certain Mon
day after Miss Bell had been in the
ofiice 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 fellow so lit
tie chance in the Office, and l am
naturally friendly sort"
Miss Bell only shook her head and
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 it
feigned? -enjoyment she derived from
their chat, nor could he hide from her
his admiration for her
Then for few weeks they drifted
into a delightful friendship. She was
aware of his admiration for her but
in her consciousness of it she kept
him at bay. Still Banks could not
help the CLEAN of easy friendliness
that came over Narnum's face when
she was with him
One day-Miss Bells last day in the
ONCE - something happened to
strengthen Banks suspicious. Mrs.
Varnum, a kind-hearted, gray-haired
woman whom Banks had heard his
senior partner speak of with the great
est admiration, called at the Office On
her unexpected arrival in the city aft
er several months absence from home.
She went unannounced into her hus-
band Office Banks saw her through
lis 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.
but on some absurd excuse remained
In his room till Mrs. Varnum had
gone. The next night, the eve of a
holiday, VarDum 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
q tovial laugh and then the young man
moved towards the door to listen.
Il think Mr. Banks was surprised
when l came into his room," said Bet
ty. do you think he is suspicious?
OF course we will have to let him
know some time"
There was silence and then Var
mum said: Il have arranged with the
agent to get the car day after tomor-
70 ;oE
you think you can learn to run it,
'Of course l can said Mics Bell
joyfully. How wonderful of you"
But it is only in honest payment
You have earned every cent it cost
You have been here six months and
you are worth two of the usual sort.
/ don't know how l 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 never do for US to 60 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.
II have been listening to you for the
last ten minutes he said, fairly glow
ering at Betty, who had stood at MI.
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 it wonderful" said Betty with
the most innocent of smiles. Why
Mr.. Banks"
There was childlike look of dis
appointment in her face as she saw
that MIR. Banks failed to Join in the
general joy of the situation. Then she
went up to him to explain. Don't you
see / have been earning the car for
mother. and all the time she was
away she thought l 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 so crazy to
have one. Now she sees that it hasn't
hurt me she won't care You didn't
really think was Miss Bell, did your"
"Oh, Betty" said Banks suddenly
realizing the truth and calling her by
her first name for the first time. Bet
TT. forgive mel thought. but never