The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-08
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
MR.. WHITMAN'S
PROPOSAL
Copyright 1915 by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Copyright 1915 by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
BY ANNETTE FOWLER.
RAMEs WHITMAN opened and
shut the top drawer Of his maho-
" gany desk and ratified among the
pens and phernalia on top. All this
to create in his stenographer over by
the window an impression that the
words he was about to utter were not
OF the slightest importance to him
: that the letter he was about to dictate
meant no more to him than casual
comment on the rise Of coal.
"Miss Hemphill!" The curt staccato
Of his voice was II anything a little
sharper than usual.
Eyes Mr.. Whitman" Margaret stop.
ped tipping instantly md instirctively
reached for her pencil.
zone more letter before I leave,
please"
Eyes, Mr.. Whitman" She came
over and sat down in the chair beside
his desk. her notebook ready for
dictation.
It was the end o. q hot. sultry day
and the air was murky and close. BY
four o'clock everything in the office
looked as though the ianitor was dead
the shifting winds earring In the
CRIME from the dozens of mills along
the river. Mr.. Whitman himself had
q. smudge on his nose and his collar
might have been in the mourning,
but Margaret looked ns fresh and
clean as daisy on June morning.
She had habit. had Margaret, Of
always looking immaculate and sweet
in her blue skirt and white starched
waist, and her hair, deep brown with
Q tinge Of red in It kept its place un.
curled and unneted. soft, smooth
wave over ecch white temple.
Mr.. whitman opened the drawer
again, looked intently within and shut
1t. He may have been searching for
inspiration. Whether he found It or
not he cleared his throat and began.
my dear Miss Blank" Margaret
waited, for Mr.. Whitman had stopped.
II may "a we'll tell you what this Is
about Miss Hemphill, before we 60
any further. 1t is a proposal Of mar.
rage to certain young lady of my
: acquaintance"
Margaret. keenly cs Mr.. Whitman
scrutinized her face for any latent
sign Of amazement, showed only we'll
bred serenity that was disappointing.
He had expected some interest.
Il suppose it's little unusual to
have letter Of this kind typewriter"
he explained, but tine lady is a very
sensible person and matter Of fact
enough to see no reason why q pro-
posal OF marriage should be any differ.
emit from any other business PROPOSE
ton"
DO you think marriage is a bus.
mess proposition she asked.
Yes certainly It is. What else is
It but for two contracting parties to
enter into q partnership were each
puts in capital Of some sort to help
the firm along. Look at me. for
instance Here I sm a bachelor OF
fifty, we'll fixed in way, with sub.
stantial. well-furnished house, two
automobiles, and a yearly income of
fifteen thousand dallars. But I am
getting old and lonely. so I've been
looking around for a companion. I
know what want as to looks, brai1s,
ability, di.po.ition ard SO on. II I'm
willing to exchange some Of my world
ly goods for the graces of some young
woman isn't that business propos-
ton. I'd like to know?
"Siace you put It tina. way it u.s."
said Margaret. Then she added. But
It isn't exactly my idea Of matrimony."
He eyed her sharply. Isn't it,"
Hardly!"
"0h. pshaw!" Any girl would jump
at the chance and so would you II the
proposition was actually put up to
you. Dresses. automobiles, money to
spend-it's different from eight
hours tay in an office. l tell yo.."
Shall I go on with the dictation?"
was her only comment.
"Yes please. My dear Miss Blank
have been very closely associated