Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-01-31
MYSTERIOUS MISS BELL
BY JANE OSBORN.


met the girl he cared to marry, had
fallen very much in love with the new
stenographer. For this new stenogra-
pher, Miss Bell, was from first to last
an unsolved mystery. She was battling
from the first day she stepped
into Varnum's Office to this memora-
Bile 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
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
Office, 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
Il say, Miss Bell" he said. How
about staying down to dinner with
me tonight. You give a fellow so lit
tie chance in the office, and 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
teigned ?-enjoymen she derived from
their chat, nor could he hide from her
his admiration for her.
Then for a few weeks they drifted
into 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
she was with him
One day-Miss Bells last day In the
ofice - 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-
bands Office. Banks saw her through
mis- 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 regained 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 a mood
Of anger and disappointment Banks
quietly returned also.
Say, you just got out IL 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.
when came into his ROOM" said Bet
~. do you think he is suspicious?
OF course we will have to let him
know some time"
HE doesn't guess IT," said varnum.
BY the way. how do you like him?"
Banks listened breathlessly for the
young woman's answer but he heard
only a faint laugh from her.
There was silence and then Var
num said: Il have arranged with the
agent to get the car day after tomor-
row and you are to pick it out. Do
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 it cost.
You have been here six months and
you are worth two of the usual sort.
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 a kiss and skip home.
It would never do for US to go 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.
81 have been listening to 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 and drew her to
him. We'll, so long as you don't tell
Mrs. varnum we will forgive you"
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 Mr.. 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 tine sne was
way 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
somehow, and she was so crazy to
have one. Now she sees that 1t hasn't
hurt me she won't care. You didn't
really think was Miss Bell, did your