The herald., 1913-02-20
MYSTERIOUS MISS BELL
BY JANE OSBORN.

fascinating to the man she mystj
! nes then 1t Is not hard to see VIII,
Clarence Banks, who had never befor,
met the girl he cared to marry. hat
fallen very much In love with the new
stenographer. For this new stenogra
pher, Miss Bell, was from first to las
an unsolved mystery. She was bafiins
from the first day she stepped
into Varnum's Office to this memora
BILE day when her actions seemed To
shatter every foregone conclusion tina,
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-
en- that countless years ago occasioned
the sage remark that still waters run
deep. She was, in her work In the
| ONCE, very friendly, to certain point,
but beyond that point there seemed to
be a 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
office about two months one Of the
most memorable In Clarence Banks
career.
II say, Miss Bell" he said. How
about staying down to dinner with
me tonight. You give fellow 30 lit
tie chance In the office, and I am
naturally friendly sort"
Miss Bell only shook her head and
said, mo, thank you"
Eventually, however, she did with
reluctance consent to 60 to luncheon
with him and Banks could not help
noticing the apparent-or was Il
feigned enjoyment she derived from
their chat, nor could he hide from her
his admiration for her.
Then for a few weeks they drifted
into a delightful friendship. She was
aware Of his admiration for her but
In her consciousness Of 1t she kept
him at bay. Still Banks could not
help the CLEAN of easy friendliness
that came over Varnum's face when
pAo was Will ulm.
One day-Miss Bells last day In the
office - something happened to
strengthen Banks suspicious. Mrs.
Varnum, 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 |
Or several months absence from home.
She went unannounced into her hus- |
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 his !
oh1ce with that of his senior partner.
She regained her composure quickly
but on some absurd excuse remained
n his room till Mrs. varnum had
zone. The next night, the eve Of a
Holiday, Varnum and Miss Bell had
work to do after dinner and in mood
If anger and disappointment Banks
luietly returned also.
Say, you Just got out in time, Betty.
'he almost caught you,". Banks heard
'arnum saying in the next room with
1ovial laugh and then the young man
moved towards the door to listen.
Il think Mr.. Banks was surprised
Vhen came into his ROOM" said Bet
y. DO you think he is suspicious?
u course we will have to let him
now some time"
There was a silence and then Var.
um said: Il have arranged with the
gent to get the car day after tomor-
ow and you are to pick 1t out. Do
on think you can learn to run itf"
"Of course l can" said Miss Bell
oyfully. How wonderful of you'll"
But 1t is only in honest payment.
'ou have earned every cent 1t cost.
'ou have been here six months and
on are worth two of the usual sort.
don't know how I will do without ,
GU, little girl. but you have had !,
nough and now you and your mother ;
lust enjoy the car together. Come
city give me a kiss and skip home.
would never do for US to 70 to- =.
ether"
Banks could stand no more Of this. ,
'e was ashamed of himself for having /.
stoned, but having heard what he had ;
Q could hold back no longer. With !
bound he rushed through the door >
to Varnum's room.
Il have been listening to you for the :
st ten minutes" he said. fairly glow. =
ing at Betty, who had stood at Mr.. /;
side In confusion. =
You are on them" said varnum :
18th 1ovial laugh as he put his arm q
'ound Betty's waist. =
isn't 1t wonderful" said Betty with =
10 most innocent Of smiles. why =
r. Banks"
There was a childlike look Of dis, q
'pointment In her face as she saw
at Mr.. Banks failed to Join In the !.
neral Joy Of the situation. Then she =
ent up to him to explain. Don't you :,
70 1 have been earning the car for !,
other, and all the time she was
way she thought I was Just staying =,
me doing nothing. She didn't want n
Q to work. but Dad couldn't afford
q car unless he cut down expenses
mellow, and she was so crazy to
we one. Now she sees that 1t hasn't
lrt me she won't care. You didn't o