Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-01-19

- OSAA6 AJSleIy makes q woman
Fascinating to the man she mysti-
fies then it is not hard to 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-
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.
II 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, mo, 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 a few weeks they drifted
into 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 Varnums face when
she was with him.
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
er 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
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
holiday, Varnum and Miss Bell had
work to do after dinner and in 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
a jovial laugh and then the young man
moved towards the door to listen.
II 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 him
know some time"
There was silence and then Var
mum said: 81 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 / 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 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 go to-
gether"
Banks could stand no more of this.
He was ashamed of himself for having
listened, but having heard what he had