The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-09-16

Ezra met him in the main Office and
pointed to his. private room.
In there, sir" he observed tim
orously.
who? What do you mean?"
"The prize-winning graduate, sir"
responded Ezra, and halted.
Dacre entered his private Office,
tossed his hat on top of his desk and
turned around, intent on making short
work of his visitor. Then he drew
back after an embarrassing stare.
Seated beside his desk, smiling, pref
ty and blushing like a fresh June
rose, was young girl. He was the
respectful, considerable gentleman at
once.
81 hope l will do" she spoke; "anG
Oh, sir! l want to thank you so much.
The money means great deal to me,
for you know l am an orphan and
Aunt Lefty is poor. But the position!
If only my shorthand is quick enough
for you."
The hard business lines softened
down in the face of the master of the
plant. He did not reply at once. A
flashing memory of woman who
had won his regard and deceived him
four years agone opened wide the gates
to dreams of new ideal of truth and
loneliness, closed rigidly after the one
bitter disappointment of his life.
Then all that was yearning and ten
der in his soul went out to the eager
faced, innocent girl before him. too
artless to conceal her JOY at being
placed in business life.
Ell shall have to speak with my
| bookkeeper, Miss" began Dacrer
laundering and off his balance like
some bashful schoolboy.
eva, sir-Eva Morris"
"Just wait a moment, Miss Morris,
please. What the thunder!" ne
burst forth upon the shrinking Ezra
in the outer room. mot female in
the place. / thought it was boy
Yes, sir; but, you see, a girl beat
them all to first place this year
You wouldn't give me time to tell YOU
about it. She's little model of in
dustry, Mr.. Dacre. ''Tll vouch for hel
there. AS to having a girl around
why, sir, it will make it more cheer
| full" and then the old rascal chucklet
as Dacre went off, reading in his EN-
ployer's face decided leaning towards
an innovation in the system of tbs
place.
Eva did finely. There was not
great deal of stenographic work to do
She was bright, smart, an excellent
correspondent. She liked her employ
er, she was the pet of the workmen.
Dacre was called away for a month
on important business. He was sur
prised and pleased when he returned
| Somehow, things looked frightened
up. In the outer office the clerica
force now had their hats and coats
hung up in an orderly way on hooks
where before they had been fluns
carelessly about The private office
was neat as a pin. The old ragged
shades had been reversed and turned
A vase filled with flowers ornamentet
his desk.
1
Mushroom of the working hands con
tanned clean roll towels. The sight OF
brush and comb in a homemade card
board case, trimmed with bit of blue
ribbon, made Dacre smile at the in
congruity, and yet somehow thrilled
his heart with pleasure.
And from these minor invasions OF
the grim rules of the works, Eva be
gan to advance along more materia!
lines. Dacre was amazed at many
practical suggestion she made in con
sonance with his material business in
terests.
More than ever he felt the vast void
in his being, craving for sympathy
and interested companionship The
sweet, pretty girl at his side, always
smiling, accommodating and grateful
seemed to have woven an irresistible
charm about his heart.
"Dictation," he said one day, coming
into the office, mighty resolve in his
mind, and the ready hand OF his
stenographer touched the keyboard. :
miss Eva Morris" dictated Dacre
tersely, 81 love you-will you be my
wife?"
The fair head dropped, the wild
rose blush on the beautiful face
deepened. He watched her trembling
hand breathlessly as slender, shape
ly finger delivered three radiant notes
clicking rapidly into his longing soul;
YES"
Copyright. 1915, by w. G. Chapman