The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-06-29
A BAD NAME
BY GEORGE MUNSON.

said Cyril Anderson to his stenogra-
pher.
Lily Holmes blushed in that charm
ing manner that set the mans heart
beating c~onfusedly. Cyril Anderson
had never been sure of Miss Holmes
from the day when he engaged her.
At forty, he had a reputation that
induced respectable women, who read
the advertisement of the Anderson
company in the newspapers, offering
large salaries, to turn their eyes con-
temptuously aside. Anderson had the
biggest popular publishing business in
New York. And he had a reputation
all along Broadway and up to Harlem.
His divorce, the suits by chorus
girls, had filled columns of the news
papers. It was a fact that nc respect
able girl would work in Anderson's
oftice-that is, under his immediate
eye. He was a judge of beauty, and
a connQisseur of dress. Anderson was
a bad character, all acknowledged.
Strangely enough, the man had an.
other reputation. There was many
an old, broken employee who could
have testified to acts of generosity and
kindness. Anderson's hand went deep
into his pocket to relieve suffering and
distress. Anderson was that not rare
bird, a good man against his will.
And if he was a FOUNDER" at least
he played the game with people as ex:
perienced as himself.
When Lily Holmes came into his Of
ice he was smitten at once. The man
had little respect for, or belief in WON.
en-. The scandalous divorce suit
which had been a case of his own
chivalrous silence, had hardened and
embittered him. Henceforward he re.
garded women as inherently dishonor.
able. He scoffed at their faith and
goodness. He could not believe that
Lily Holmes was really the sort of girl
she professed to be-well, not pro-
,essed, for she protested nothing, but,
At any rate, gave the appearance of
being.
He had taken her out to lunch and
.elt that his conquest was almost com.
plete. He could not imagine any girl
resisting him, the millionaire, with
l reputation for %gallantry that had led
demi-mondaines to throw themselves
into his arms. When he told Lily that
he was going to call on her he be-
lieved that she understood as well
rs he.
And he called that night, dressed
Tor the part. He meant to take her
out to supper. He wore a silk hat and
4 gardenia. He had no doubt that he
would find her, arrayed in the latest
style, in some bachelor girls quarters.
Lily opened the door herself.
Come in, MI. Anderson" she said
yayly. Father and mother are Sc
anxious to meet you"
Anderson thought this was a jest
He entered the room, to find an elder
ly couple awaiting him. The father
who wore a long, white beard, had his
hand on an open Bible. The mother
vas a simple, country woman, with a
kind face that reminded Anderson OF
lis own mother.
Anderson felt his blood run thick
Then he felt both ashamed and morti
fed.
PLEASED to meet you, sir" said the
old man. my girl has often told me
Of your kindness to her."
Don't mention it," said Anderson
wondering what sort of trick Lily
Holmes had played on him, and how
soon he could escape.
my daughter was fortunate to find
so kind a gentleman as yourself" said
the mother warmly. 1T isn't often in
these times that an employer takes II
upon himself to look after his stenog
raphers like you do. Lilly has told me
how you took her out to lunch last
week."
"Yes-yes," said Anderson nerv
ously.
Presently, after a little further con
versation, the old couple rose. "Ant
now we'll leave you, sir" said the ia
Their. I'VE may be a little behind tn
times, not being long resident in New
York, but I guess we know enough no
to be in the way when our girl hal
callers"
And with a shrewd look that was al
most a wink the old man left tn
room, his wife upon his arm.
Anderson sat staring foolishly a
Lily. It was true, then. She wa
really entirely unsuspicious of tn
part he had expected her to play! Sh'
had really thought that he was inter
ested in hes welfare. And she ha'
led him into this preposterous situs
ton! Anger surged up in his heart.
I'm afraid you will find us a littl