The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-14
The EOening Story
Befty's success.

(By Louise OHver.)
Betty looked up from her news
paper and frowned out of the window.
The jerking of the car was bad
enough without the distracting con-
versation of two men in the seat
ahead.
Her frown deepened as she heard
one say:
'I'm tired of the whole business.
No more female stenographers in my
office! Not that they are not compe-
tent-the last one was dandy-put
they demoralize the whole office force
because they are attractive. me Tune
is coming when people won't say as
pretty as a picture or she looks like
an actress. There will be a new SYM
boil of beauty. 1t will be-, d1sgustedly,
g she is as beautiful as a stenog-
rapher'.'
His companion laughed. Your FAIR
employees certainly have not demor-
allied you, you flint-hearted old bach
elorl What's the matter with the
bookkeeper taking Mabel out to lunch
or the chief clerk exhibiting two pink
tickets for the show when he passes
her desk ?"
1.-The luncheons you speak of take
nearer two hours than one and the
pink theater tickets and "a supper
after mean a half hour late the next
morning. If 1 could land an ugly one
it would be different, but they don't
grow. I'm blessed if 1 ever saw a
stenographer who didn't look like a
frontispiece in dollar-and-a-ha air
novel. I'm going to advertise in the
morning for man"
Betty had become thoughtful. She
had just finished a course in the art
of shorthand and typewriting and it
was up to her to get work. Nab was
painting and Lillian was teaching, but
it was nov necessary for Baby Betty,
as the family called her, to contribute
to the general exchequer. But If to-
day was a sample, positions were not
growing along the curbstones waiting
bly, discouraged.
When the car stopped at her corner
she flew home to talk things over
with the girls, and their indignation
over her recent experience was very
soothing.
The next morning Mr.. Albert Trow-
bridge was scarcely seated at his desk
when the boy announced with a grin
that a lady wished to see him. Mr..
Trowbridge frowned, but gave a
A person soon appeared in the door
way who caused that gentleman to
gasp.t But, suddenly remem bering his
manners, he sprang to his feet.
Good morning. Miss"
Heck, she supplied CURLY.
He surveyed the round, shiny face
and steel spectacles, a decade old
hat perched on top of a couture so
flat that it looked like paint and the
doorbell knot twisted so tight it
pulled her eyes aslant.
Sit down, Miss Heck, please" The
lady deposited herself with a flop
upon the chair indicated and tugged
uneasily at TIE short coat sleeves
glove. She looked up half defiantly
| at the gentleman, who seemed to be
having trouble with his breathing.
IT heard that you wanted a stenog-
do. Pm one.
Mr.. Trowbridge-opened his mouth
to say something, but It closed with
out producing a sound.
I'm one" repeated the lady.
"Indeed?" gasped Mr. Trowbridge.
Yes. You'll find I'm business-like.
quick and competent And fixing
him with ow1ish look over her
bother about men, nor they me. You
will save time, and times money
these days"
You are quite right he agreed
politely. Time is money"
whimsical look came into his
face, which slowly broadened into a
grin, as he thoughtfully tapped his
1 pencil against his desk.
ct believe I'll try you, Miss Heck!''
he exclaimed suddenly. Il have had
great deal of trouble with-with-
undesirable young ladies and I-be-
! lieve you are just what l am looking
| for
AS she took her place at the type
writer in the outer office, a painful
hush fell over the room The chief
! clerk, whose duty it YVES to initiate
| new StenOgrapherS, made a Wry face
| behind his hand, and the young lady
caught something about "souring
| cream"
Miss Heck proved to be all she
i claimed for herself. She was bust
! of all was the time gained by the in
attention of the office men. Mr..
j Trowbridge himself, at the end of a
week, confided his joy to his COM
panion of the car. I've found per-
feet lemon of stenographer. She is
| so ugly she is fascinating. l dictate
twice as many letters as l used to
just to convince myself of my luck
/ One day Miss Heck was away She
sent word that she was i'll, Whlch
worried Mr.. Trowbridge very much
Poor thing. They had worked hel
would hire one of the frontispiece
kind" and it would lie the same
thing all over again. In the mean
time it would pay to be KIND TO tins
lady. He hunted up her address ane
took down the receiver to ordel
take them himself on his way nome
The middle house in suburban
row bore the number he was hunt
ing. The bell was answered by
pretty GIRL who turned the fa1rest rec
the instant she opened the door ane
saw the caller. The visitor was mys
titled. Where had he seen her pc
fore? Something about her was yer!
, familiar indeed Recovering hlmseir
he handed in the box with a polt'