The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-01-14
Yes, the Coin Had Come Up Tails

living room. But male stenographers
were simply not to be had.
There was still the idea of sharing
the apartment left, and simply because
it was the only possible solution Brad
ley decided he would have to marry his
stenographer and share his quarters
with her or make q stenographer of
a wife. He had come home to decide
the best method of procedure. He
/ drew coin from his pocket and then
dipped it and leaned over to see how
fate had decided for him.
He had settled that If it came I'D
heads he would ask Molly Drew In his
home town to consider the proposition.
She wasn't stenographer, but she had
learned to type In school and she could
take care of his correspondence.
He flattered himself that the idea of
becoming Mrs. Blake might not be en-
tirely distasteful to her. The coin
came up tails. That meant that he
should make his selection according to
the ability of the young woman as a
secretary, and then, somehow, throw in
the marrying idea. Yes, the coin had
come up tails; but after Bradley had
pocketed it again he decided to ask
Molly Drew, anyway.
That is why he took the eleven
o'clock train back to the home town
and by nine o'clock the next morning
had telephoned to Molly to tell her that
he had something important to say to
her. By ten he was at the Drew house.
Then he and Molly started walking In
| the autumn air.
1t was very difficult to say what he
had to say In tactful way, and per-
haps he bungled it. At any rate, ten
minutes after he had begun with,
molly, have something important to
ask you," he realized that he was walk
ing beside a rather irate young wom-
an, who kept her face turned from
him and he was making silent vows to
himself that after that he would obey
the dictates of tipped coin.
you never thought of asking me be-
fore" he remembered that she had
said "Now that can be of use to
you. now that can earn my own living
and help you besides, you ask me-"
Bradford took the afternoon train
back to Hilton, and, on the train, at
first tried to dodge and then rather
welcomed the society Of Maud CASTOR,
an old schoolmate Of his. She was
going to Hilton. She had heard that
there were all sorts of rare opportuni-
ties there for stenographers, and she
was tired to death of earning her pal
| try fifteen a week III her uncle's Jaw
office. So she had packed her belong
ings and was running off to Hilton and
would let the people back home know
as soon as she reached there. Brad
ford listened attentively. and from time
! to time looked with considerable stead
mess at Maud's well-formed features.
She wasn't at all bad looking, and he
had heard that she was a rafting
| good stenographer. Then she asked
him if he could help her get job. 1t
was apparently his cue. The fates had
sent it.
Il know there are jobs enough" he
said. 'In fact, have job in mind.
1t pays pretty well, but-well, that is,
the pay wouldn't be of the slightest
| Importance. OF course, you under
stand that-and. and you would know
that had long been, been-you know,
Maud, we used to be mighty good pals
in school, didn't WEI"
The car was rumbling noisily, and
perhaps Maud did not hear all of Brad
ford's incoherent remarks. At any
rate, she evinced no concern for his
sanity, but when they left she told him
cheerfully that when he got ready to
explain she would be glad to hear.
She was staying in the room of a
friend who had gone away for the
week end and would want to see him
sometime the next day, Monday and
would also be glad to have him find
a room for her.
"Yes, indeed" stammered Bradford.
Bradford stopped for dinner on his
way to his apartment and at nine
o'clock when he arrived there he found
very weary Molly Drew waiting. fol-