The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-12
EVENING STORY
MIR. whitman-s Proposal.

] anu Tdtlieu puSily among the pens anu
paraphernalia 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 a casual COM
ment on the rise of coal.
Miss Hemphill!" The curt staccato
of his voice was if anything little
| sharper than usual.
Yes, Mr.. Whitman" Margaret
stopped tipping instantly and instinc-
lively reached for her pencil.
| zone more letter before 1 leave,
please"
Yes, Mr. Whitman" She came over
and sat down in the chair beside his
| desk, her notebook ready for dictation.
| 1t was the end of hot. sultry day
and the air was murky and close by
| four O'Clock everything in the office
| looked as tho the janitor was dead,
the shifting winds carrying in the
CRIME from the dozens of mills along
| the river. Mr. Whitman himself had
a smudge on his nose and his collar
might have been in mourning, but
| Margaret looked as fresh and clean
as a daisy on a June morning. She
| had a habit, had Margaret, of always
looking immaculate and sweet in her
| blue skirt and white starched waist,
| and her hair, deep brown with
tinge of red in it. kept its place un-
| curled and unnetted, a soft, smooth
wave over each white temple.
| Mr.. Whitman opened the drawer
| again, looked intently within and shut
| it. He may have been searching for
inspiration. Whether he found it or
not he cleared his throat and began.
| My dear Miss Blank" Margaret wait
4
| may aswell tell you what this is about,
| Miss Hemphill, before we go any
| further. 1t is a proposal of marriage
| to a certain young lady of my ac-
quaintance."
| Margaret. keenly as 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 q little unusual to
have letter of this kind typewriter
ne explained. but the lady is a very
sensible person and matter of fact
enough to see no reason why a pro-
posal of marriage should be any diff
ferent from any other business propo-
sition."
DO you think marriage is bust
ness proposition ." she asked.
Yes. certainly it is. What else is
| it but for two contracting parties to
enter into a partnership where each
|
the firm along. Look at me. for in
stance. Here I am a bachelor of so.
well fixed in a way, with a substan-
tlal, well furnished house, two auto
mobiles, and a yearly income of SIS
| 600 But I am getting old and lonely
so I've been looking around for com
| panion. l know what I want as to
| looks brains, ability, disposition and
so on. If I'm willing to exchange some
of my worldly goods for the graces of
some young woman, isn't that BUSH
ness proposition. I'd like to know" Z
| Since you put it that way, 1T is.
said Margaret. Then she added: But
it isn't exactly my idea of matrimony-"
He eyed her sharply. isn't 1t 2
Hardly"
"Oh. 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
day in an office, l tell YOU.
Shall 1 go on with the d1ctatlon
was her only comment.
l have been very closely associated
with you now for several years and IN
that time I have assured myself TN Al
Won are possessed of all the admir-
able characteristics that make an ideal
wife. On the other hand. l flatter
myself that the things 1 have to offer
the woman who consents to be my n1e
| Communion are not to be desp1sed, and
hone
$ : it, for I entertain deep affection
| for vol Miss Blank, and hereby mum
! bIv offer YOU my heart and hand
which 1 sincerely hope you VIII &C
cept. 1 am yours most eoTg1ai. X
A mile mink flush had mounted Mar
carers cheeks and there was pecu-
| liar twitching of the mouth tnat sne
could not control. Mr.. whitman $
keen eye caught her perturbation ano
| l1x- at ha
his missive upon his usually unemo-
| tional stenographer.
Sound all right
| yes" answered Margaret in low
tone. 1t was all she could trust her
self to say.
| then. please and I'll mail it on my
way home" And her employer, look
| ing out of the window and seeing MS
car at the curb, retired to wash off
some of the office CRIME before leav-
ing.
The door of the outer office burst
open and a young man rushed in
"Hello. Margie, where's the boss %
Ssh! He'll be back in minute,
Bob I've something rich to tell you.
| Mercy, You mustn't do that here"
For Bob had tiptoed over. titled back
| her head and kissed her boldly on the
/ lips
Here and anywhere, dear old girl!
| Say. Marg, I've come to see about a
raise The old mans got to hand it
| over, that's all. I've just about come
to the conclusion that I'm not going to
wait any longer.
"Sh!" admonished Margaret again as
a footstep sounded outside.
Mr. whitman" began Bob nervous
| ly, his courage suddenly ooZing at the
| sight of the heavy-set face of his en-
ployer, II came to see if you couldn't
give me little more money. You see,
I've been here five years and 1 think
my services are worth more now than
they were at first, don't you -
! NO, l don't. Office clerks are as
thick as crab apples. l can get one
for half your salary tomorrow morn
ing"
This was facer. Bob tried a new
tack. But L was thinking of getting