The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-20

that end, but such has not been the
case. AS far as can see. your
only talent lies in spending money
and feeding chickens.
Il want to have a good time myself
one of these days. and IL I'm ever to
have it. you've got to be able to take
things in hand here. In order to do
that, you'll have to get in now.
Your affectionate uncle"
The Honorable Peter looked over
the checks hurriediy and signed them,
but he signed the letters without look
ing at them at all. while his secretary
smiled demurely as she placed them
in the mail.
Peter Hobb had ignored the sur
prising fareup of his secretary. and
the days passed the same as before
until the stiff formaiity and rigid
courtesy of her longtime superior
again got on Mablers nerves. She had
stood it for four years, and one after
noon she got frantic enough to fly.
IF he'd only swear sometimes" she
thought to herself, "or kick over the
waste basket. If he'd only let go of
himself once, the pompous thing!"
And a smile trickled the corner of
her mouth, and when a woman smiles
to herself she's planning something,
and when a woman is planning some
thing. look out
When she left that afternoon. the
Honorable Peter Hobb. following his
usual custom, arose from his desk and
bowed to her stiffly.
Goodnight. Miss Wells" he said
gravely, just as he had done every
work-day night for four long years.
GOOD night. Peter Prim. you stiff
thing! laughed Mabel Wells, as she
vanished thru the door.
And he stood there in perplexed
wonderment gazing at the door that
slammed behind her, until a grin
slowly spread over his sober face.
Funny thing-a woman!" is what
he said But what he thought was
entirely different 1t had to do with
What his private secretary might be
expected to do under a given circum-
stance. Take kissing, for example.
But during the next afternoon. the
Honorable Peter was out and his way
ward nephew strolled into his uncle's
private office.
Hello, fair one!" he greeted Babel
Familiarity.
"Tm glad you're here. Billy" said
Mabel. DO you know that your
uncle's been trying to get me to marry
honestly" grinned Billy. 1T al
ways was a lucky guy" And forth
with. he reached out and caught
Mabel by the forearms;
Behave yourself, Billy" she was
laughing. when. the door opened and
Peter Hobb entered.
Look here, BILL" he said srimly.
eff you must hug my private secre-
tary. kindly arrange to do it after
office hours!"
"Don't be foolish. Peter" said
Mabel demurely. He wasn't hug
cling me at all. He was only trying
to, the fresh younRster. am per-
well as the proprietor of the office.
thank you. Now. Billy" she said,
squinting up her fine eyes and facing
the nephew determinedly. 'sit's time
you were helping your uncle Peter.
You will report to the foreman of the
shipping department at eight o'clock
tomorrow morning. Salary sixty dol
lars to start-a month. that is. And
no fooling understand me-"
yours truly. Boss" laughed BILLY.
as he bowed low before going out the
door.
For a moments the Honorable Peter
Hobb stared at his secretary in amaze
ment. and then at the letter she had
written to his nephew. the one he
had signed without reading.
Hes a good boy" she smiled. "only
you were spelling him. Peter"
But Peter Hobb waved the subject
of his nephew impatiently. and stood
over his small secretary stiffly.
"A while ago. you know" he
was saying awkwardly. II was--I
guess I was Jealous of the cub. Mabel
dear, IL"
Il knew. Peter. IL knew you
WERE" said Mabel Wells. shyly.
While from the door, where Billy
Hobb had returned to enter his blond
head for the last word. came a stern
voice:
Look here, aunty! II you must kiss
my private uncle, kindly arrange to
do ii after Office hours"
And some such arrangements were
subsequently made.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate,