Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-11-09

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"If | can repeat this statement as
clearly and intelligently as you have
made it | shall feel proud of myself"
THANK YOU" | replied. II am 1sed
to bearing verbal messages from my
employer Any one could do what !
have done with the same practice
II couldn't with ten times the prac'
tice. | can write anything so that It
may be understood by very intelli-
gent person. but can't speak It,"
"Then | may tell Mrs. Abercrombie
that you are satisfied with her actionT'
"You may But" he added, after a
brief pause and with a smile, you are
not at liberty to tell her that Mr.. Van
Arsdale has taken partner"
"Of course not fear have erred
tn
Not ut all VIII you kindly say that
Mr.. Van Arsdale has met party who,
he thinks, will FIJI the bill, but he has
no assurance that the person will ac'
cept the position"
| didn't understand this partnership
matter and was sorry that had been
SO indiscreet as to mention it. The
gentleman saw by my looks that was
embarrassed and added:
Never mind that Mr.. Van Arsdale
can attend to 1t hlmself-that is, II 1t
Is attended to at all"
As rose to go the young man took
rose out OF cut glass vase on his
desk and offered 1t to me. | took 1t.
thanked him and after inhaling its de-
llclous perfume for a moment left the
room and the house. he CALAMITY see
Ing me to the door.
Soon after this visit was sent again
to Mr.. Van Arsdale's house on another
matter was received by the same
Young man, and when | mentioned
that l presumed-his chief might be in
disposed he replied that Mr. Van Ars-
dale was very much indisposed and
probably would not attend to any more
business.
as he very old?" asked.
Every"
On this visit the gentleman led the
conversation to various topics not of
business nature, and | was delighted
with his chat. We spent so much time
together in this way that | feared
would receive rebuke from Mrs.
Abercrombie. But she said not a word
on the subject Of my delay, much to
my relief.
One morning after the arrival Of the
mail Mrs. Abercromble called me into
her boudoir and said to me:
my dear have an offer for your
services from one who needs a person
on whom to place much greater re-
sponsibillties than /, and the compen-
sation will be much greater. Mr.. Van
Arsdale writes me that If l will con-
sent to give you up he will take you"
"Mr. Van Arsdale! Indeed, Mrs.
Abercrombie, could not possibly take
his place. He Is very old and very Ill.
His secretary has told me that he will
probably never again attend to bust
ness. | have understood that he need
ed partner
"A partnerl Where did you hear
thatT
II noticed 1t in letter Of his that
you gave me to file"
"Ohm replied my employer. II think
that by a partner he meant one to
whom he might intrust matters that he
could not intrust to clerk or a Sec
retary."
whats the matter with the young
man who has been acting for himF
Can't Mr.. Van Arsdaie keep himT
"If you consent will write Mr.. Van
Arsdale TO that effect. and you can set
tie 1t with him."
"Do you think | will be able to ill
the positionT
Most assuredly."
''Do you know what the salary will
be?'
IT do not"
After more inquiries on my part, to
which | got no satisfaction. consent
ed to consider proposition from Mr..
Van Arsdale and Mrs. Abercrombie
wrote him to that effect. was surprised
the next morning to be informed that
Mr.. Van Arsdale had called and was
waiting for me In the drawing room.
"Mr. Van Arsdale!' exclaimed.
why, supposed he was bedriddenl l
expected to go to him."
Hes waiting for you. By the by,
why not wear your new crepe de
chine?
what! Dress to receive a broken
down old man? He'll think I'm too
dne for a business woman"
But Mrs. Abercrombie insisted and
superintended my toilet. and after she
was satisfied | went downstairs to the
drawing room. There sat the young
man who had several times received
me at Mr.. Van Arsdale's. l stopped a
moment ON seeing him. then advanced.
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