Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1913-10-10
BET " Al. AND An. !. !. !
The BEAR J !: / +. !. !.
The Monster Was Not 50 Ter.
ri i as She at First Thought.
sseysyslF:RsANcas A.. COREY.

4 . b, l
=; And this young giant from the wool.
>ly west was her employer. Betty gave
an involuntary gasp. He was so ele
mental, SO unlfkelany one with whom
she had ever come into close personal
contact before.
"I'ye dubbed him the Bear Mr..
Henderson, whose desk was next to
her own, confded to her. Hes
straight from the Rockies. you know
And then he is so big, so british, so
ungainly! Looks as much out of place
in a New York Office as a bull in chi
ma shop. -! - ~:
Henderson himself was slender, hand
some, polished, immaculate of attire.
Betty's glance rested upon his SNUG,
clean shaven face approvingly. His
well bred tones were indescribably
soothing after the hoarse rumble Of
Mr.. Sterling's deep bass. She wassre
jOiced to find one congenial person
in this place, where the failure and sud
den death of her father had left her
stranded. ~
'"There are reduced gentlemen as we'll
as reduced gentlewomen,' she thought,
with feeling of womanly sympathy
for him that later on found express
sion in unexpected ways.
For instance although short to curt
ness with her employer. she would
linger after hours for Il friendly chat
with Henderson and even permitted
him to take her out to dinner once or
twice
One day when they We're alone in
the Office Henderson swung around in
his revolving chair and said abruptly:
Miss Vandevere. did it ever strike
you as a bit strange that the Bear
should have given you the best berth
in the Office? This is your first expert
ence, and good stenographers are as
plenty as blackberries."
Are they?". Betty answered. Il
didn't know"
"Do you mind telling me how you
happened to apply to him?"
Il received marked copy of his adj
vertisement and wrote Immediately.
asking for the place." -
HIN! And got an answer by return
mail. saying you might report for
duty?'
"Why-yes-s did. Is that SO very
surprising?'' =
"Oh, no." Henderson meditated a
moment. queer little. spark flashing
into his eyes. See here! I'm going
to tell you something he announced
abruptly. THE Bear is in love with
YOU 80
"Absurd! Betty cried, reddening
painfully. =.
Il know the signs. Watch him.
You'll see for yourself. Can't come
nigh you without flushing and trenl-
bling. Genuine case of love at first
sight. l guess he knew what he was
about when he took you into his en-
ploy.''
'How can you say such things?"
Betty was indignant. She realized
for the first time that there was vein
of native coarseness under the mans
veneer.
"A pile of money comes into this Of
fce,' he said afte, ali interval. looking
at her keeniy. The Bear is beastly
rich. That counts for Il good deal.
You'll marry him for his wealth."
"A cowboy from the plains? Not If
he We're made of gold!'
Henderson looked relieved. but be-
fore he could reply Mr.. Sterling came
into the Office.
Betty bent over to her desk with a
scarlet face When presently she ven
tured to steal glance at her employer
she encountered his fixed gaze and
knew from the look in his eyes that
Henderson was right.
The thought that this uncouth west
erner dared aspire to a Vandevere
made her furious. Later on. when az
errand took her into the inner Office.
whittier her employer had withdrawn.
she made I'LL possible haste. but he
spoke to her before she could slip back
again to her place. st~:
You are looking pale. You are not
used to such close application. You'll
make yourself i'll. have box at the
opera. but seldom 20. Id be more
than pleased to have you use it,
Betty's breath had stopped. and she
recovered it with difficulty. .Ti.gts
THANK you very much, Mr.. Ster-
ling" she said icily. but must de-
cline to take advantage Of your kind:
ness" .a~z ~
She fed with hot cheeks. but at heart
she was not so angry as she tried to
make herself believe. She knew In
tuittvely that the offer had not been
prompted 80 much by q desire to win
favor as by real solicitude for her vel
fare
. Further proofs Of the big mans
thoughtfulneas were Forthcoming. That
same evening on returning to her