The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-02-08
SIMEON SILCHESTER
BY JANE OSBORN.


many hundred letters a week. But
they were all addressed. not 10 Miss
Jane jerks. but 10 Prof. Simeon Sill
chester, handwriting expert of the
Hearth Companion" Jane jerks WAS
the youngest member of the editorial
staff of that widely-read periodical.
AS part of her duties she had 10 write
the monthly article on What Your
Handwriting Shows" Meantime she
had 10 answer letters from West,
East, North and South from subSCrib-
ers to the magazine. Sometimes she
dreamed Of the day when she might
save enough 10 leave the city and go
of somewhere In the vilds and get "a
ranch or something and run it."
Once a letter came from CORE
spOndent who signed his name Mon
taLG." and the writing rather puzzled
lane jerks. But she hesitated only
u moment. for really il didn't much
matter 10 her whether or not she made
a true character study. The writing
was legible, and, therefore, she made
the statement that the writer had a
methodical, honest nature. There were
certain waveringS in the line and this,
she said, indicated timidity. Il believe
that you are not married" she added,
with all the authority of Prof. Sim
con SilChCSter to back her. Il believe
that the reason why you are not mar
ried is because you have never had the
deep, inner courage 10 look about and
find for yourself woman good enough
for you. You are CONGrdly," she went
on, land what you ought to do is TO
stand up for your own rights. You
are small! in stature" this because the
writing was miniature, but that does
not mean that you should also be
:imId."
Three weeks later tall, irate person
entered her office.
Il want to see Prof. Simeon Silches-
ter" he said deliberately. Il see you
are his secretary" the man continued.
perhaps | could take the message"
said Jane feebly.
NO woman could take the message
just as | want TO give 1t, and few men
could. What l want 10 ask the profess
sor is how in-I'll add the embellish-
ments when | see MIN personally-hOw
he dared to call me coward? ! wrote
me-" The man from Montana threw
the opened letter on the desk and Jane
jerks recognized il as the one she
had recently sent.
Tin very sorry" Jane pleaded, feel
ing just q little amused in spite Of
her first terror. ITO be sure Profess
sor Silchester sometimes makes mis-
takes" she began. II am very sorry"
Then for some reason, probably be-
cause OF the steadfast and searching
gaze Of the gray eyes Of the man, she
forgot her role. You see am really
Prof. Simeon Silchester. try TO make
the right guesses. How could l tell
that you were a big man, and how did
I know that you were a perfect bear
of courageI"
"And you wrote that about my not
having had the nerve to get mnrriedY
asked the big man. and then he
laughed for the fest time. Well. that'S
very funny. I've come all the way
from my place In Montana. just to have
q fight with you. Nothing ever made
me so mad in my life as that letter.
but won't fight lady even when she
deserves il"
So relieved was Jane at the way the
angry one recovered from the first In
tenSity of his anger that she made him
tarry on that first call, and pledged
him never TO tell another soul that
there was no real Simeon Silchester.
They spoke of Montana and ranges
and the girls face lighted up with eS-
pectation and interest. She told the
stranger of her ambition and he WAS
as interested as she. In short, he won
James confidence so that when he sug-
gested that she take luncheon with
him she did not think to hesitate.
So the acquaintance progressed with
in the ten days that the Montanan had
allowed himself to remain In the big
city and never again did he speak OF
the letter but always of the ranch and
the girls ambitions to lead a country.
outdoor life. The proposal occurred
in the girls office, the afternoon before
he was planning to retucn.
How can i accept?" she said. .!
don't even know your name. I'm dread.
fully frightened just TO think OF the
way we have grown so well acquainted
In such short time"
True" he said. I'm a bit fright.
ened myself" Here his expression
changed quickly. How'd you hit on
that name of yours-Simeon Silches-
ter? It's q good name. and it doesn't
sound faxed"
II think 1t is good" said the girl.
81 wanted to get a name that sounded
like what / think handwriting expert
would be-a thin old crank with a
white beard and a long nose. | got
out the Who's Who and looked
through till found name that sound
ed just like that Don't you think 1t
was good selection?"
"Capital-a thin old crank with a
long nose Do you happen to know