The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1919-12-25
HER PUPIL
BY JACK LAYTON.

saw the man standing in the doorway, .
and her brows wrinkled in annoyance.
This was one of her busiest morn !
ings; she was always busy, feeding
COPY to a machine, which never seemed
to be sufficiently fed. For little Miss
Blair was an exceedingly clever per-
son, and an efficient one as well.
The magazine for which she labored
would have lacked much of It's charm
without her effort She wondered why
the office boy had left open the door
to her sanctum-and she wondered
also, as she raised inquiring eyes to
her visitor-how he had proceeded so
far. The visitor explained himself.
"Can | come in?" he asked frankly.
You don't seem to remember me. I'm
Bret Wells, an employee"
81 really don't recall" Miss Blair
began.
The big man laughed
"Thats because you're so almighty
busy" he said Sometimes. when I've
had an errand in your Office, you didn't
see me at all. Not that I've been here
long That's what | want to see you.
about, when you can spare time. How
to make myself worth a better posi-
ton than the one I've got. You seem
to know everything. And If you're as
kind as you are wise"
THAT'S fiattery," said Miss Blair.
"It isn't" he denied. 81 mean every
word l say. I'm asking In favor
your personal advice. If you please.
when convenient"
The little woman studied her caller;
his sincerity was no more to be doubt
ed than the eager appeal of his eyes.
An earnest fellow, for all his contra
dictory air of helpessness. She
glanced at her Uttered desk and back
to the man with a sudden smile.
Tomorrow. then, if you have conf
dence in my ability to help you-at
three O'clock"
She was not surprised when he told
her, next day, that he had come from
| the West.
"Spent my life there, in the lonely
places" he added. land can't lose my
| ways up mere, NHCIC
things are different That's why I'm
begging you to help me. I'd do any
thing in return. I'd type off your ex-
ira work evenings, or"
Miss Blair waved his eager offer
aside.
IF can help you, it will be for
helps sake" she replied snow tell
me what it Is that you wish me to
j do"
Bret Wells seated himself; his en-
barrassment was evident.
''It's like this" he said. I'm in love-
oh !. none of your fancied affairs. but
real, honest-to-goodness once-in-a-life-
time love. I've got to have this girl
for my wife. She's as far a me as
star. want you to teach me the
little things that'll help me some day
to win her. What they call the cour-
tesies. you understand and all that
Ways that'll help me, too. TO get on in
business. 1t isn't money that care
so much about. I've made mine OUT
West. It's-well, refinement, ! s'pose
you'd call 1t, that need"
Miss Blair drew deep breath.
"That's a big order for me-" she
said. Her caller arose.
TOO big. l reckon" he said, disap-
pointedly. But she put forth detain-
ing hand.
81 could coach you on etiquette al
least" she suggested impulsively. and
his clasp of gratitude left her fingers
aching.
Miss Blair had been too busy in her
hurried youth to think about love
There had been. at first, the absorbing
college career.
She looked down at her unadorned
businesslike dress as she thought OF
the man. and she smiled--an odd
twisted smile-down at her fiat little
shoes.
She questioned the Westerner con
corning the lady of his heart when, or
the following morning. she gave him 9
marked book of etiquette. 81.
The big mans face softened into ten
derness as he answered Her question
"She is small and fine. my girl" h,
said, "with eyes crystal clear like wa
ter sparkling. Her voice is as won
ans voice should be. and-you'd hav,
to see her to know" he added help
lessly. $3.50. sl,s.,s.s IA I,
The hints on department which Mis-
Blair gave to her pupil bore immediate
fruit. His daily visits became 1
source of amusement to, both.
One evening alone again In he
apartment, Miss Blair came upon tn
astounding realization that she her
self was in love. In love so surel,
that thought of her misfortune tool
her breath away. For the object O
: her affection was no other than tn,
man whom she had been teaching t
Twin the heart of another. assaS ssaa-, 4
At the next meeting she told hin
! that, their lessons must discontinue
I'm too busy" she explained.
Its all been of no use then ~ tn