The Parker post., 1917-02-17
MIR. WHITMAN'S PROPOSAL:
BY ANNETTE FOWLER.

the top drawer of his mahogany desk
and ratified busily among the pens ano
paraphernalia on top.
Miss Hemphill" The curt stac-
cato of his voice was if anything lit
tie sharper than usual.
eyes, Mr.. Whitman" Margaret
stopped typing Instantly and instinc-
lively reached for her pencil.
zone more letter before l leave,
please"
eyes, Mr.. Whitman She came over
and sat down in the chair beside his
desk, her notebook ready for dicta-
ton.
Mr.. Whitman opened the drawer
again, looked intently within and shut
it. He may have been searching for
inspiration. Whether he found il or
not. he cleared his throat and began:
my dear Miss Blank" Margaret
waited, for Mr.. Whitman had stopped.
Il suppose it's a little unusual to
have a letter of this kind typewrit-
ten," he explained, but the lady is a
very sensible person and matter of
fact enough to see no reason why
proposal of marriage should be any
different from any other business
proposition"
"Do you think marriage is a busi-
ness proposition?" she asked.
eyes, certainly it is. What else is
1t but for two contracting parties to
enter into a partnership where each
puts in capital of some sort to help
the firm alongY
''Since you put it that way it is
said Margaret. Then she added. "But
it isn't exactly my idea of matrl-
mony."
He eyed her sharply, isn't it?"
''Shall | go on with the dictation"
was her only comment.
Eyes, please. My dear Miss Blank
] have been very closely associated
with you now for several years and in
that time L have assured myself that
you are possessed of all the admirable
characteristics that make an ideal
wife. On the other hand, | fiatter my
self that the things L have to offer
the woman who consents to be my life
companion are not to be despised, and
l hope you will look favorably on my
suit, for | entertain a deep affection
for you, Miss Blank, and hereby hum
bly, offer you my heart and hand,
which l sincerely hope you will ac-
cept. l am yours most cordially,
JAMES WHITMAN"
A pale pink flush had mounted Mar
garet's cheeks and there was d pecu-
liar twitching of the mouth that she
could not control. Mr. Whitman's keen
eye caught her perturbation and he re-
jCiced inWardly at the result OF his
missive upon his usually Unconditional
StenOgrapher.
"Copy it off for me right away, then,
please, and I'll mail it on my way
home" And her employer, looking out
of the window and seeing his car al
the curb, retired to wash off some OF
the Office CRIME before leaving.
The door Of the outer office burst
open and young man rushed in.
Hello, Margie, where's the boss?
"Sh He'll be back in a miaute,
Bob. I've something rich to tell you.
Mercy! You mustn't do that here"
For Bob had tiptoed over, tilted 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, nerv-
ously, his courage suddenly oozing a.
the sight of the heavy-set face of his
employer, 81 came to see if you
couldn't give me little more money.
You see, I've been here five years and
l think my services are worth more
now than they here at first, don't
you!"
mo, l don't. Office clerks are as
thick as crab apples. | can get one for
lldI1 your
This was a facer. Bob tried a new
tack. But | was thinking of getting
married, Mr.. Whitman. Don't you
think a married man is steadier aud
worth more to you than single one?
I'd certainly like to have boost, Mr..
Whitman! I've got dandy nice
girl!'
The trick worked. The other, think
ing of his own venture upon the same
sea, and not in the least doubtful as
to the outcome cast benevolent eye
on the young man and looked over at
his stenOgrapher's bent head. "Why,
maybe you're right Mr.. Service. A
married man is worth more All righi
you're getting eighty, We'll make it
hundred. HOW's that?"
Bully for your beamed Bob.
''Thank you very much, indeed Mr.
Whitman. Won't you congratulate
me? Miss Hemphill has consented to