The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-02-14
her PUPIL
BY JACK LAYTON.

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This was one Of her busiest morn
ings; SHE was always busy, feeding
copy to machine, which never seemed
to he 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 IFS clarEl
without her effort. She wondered why
the office boy had left open the door
to her sanctumi-and she wondered
also, as she raised inquiring eyes to
her visitor-how he had proceeded sc
far. The visitor explained himself.
"Can I 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.
"That's 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 flattery," said Miss Blair.
ut isn't" he denied. 81 mean every
word / say. I'm asking in favor
your personal advice, IL you please,
when convenient"
The little woman studied her caller
his sincerity was no more to be doubt
cd than the eager appeal Of his eyes.
An earnest fellow, for all his contra
dlctory air of helplessness. She
glanced at her Uttered desk and back
to the man with 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" lie added, land can't lose my
half-clvillzed ways up here, where
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.
'lf. can help you, it will be for
helps sake" she replied. Now tell
me what 1t is that you wish me to
do"
Bret Wells seated himself; his en-
barrassment was evident.
ITS 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 above me as
a star. want you to teach me the
little things that'll help me some day
to win her. What they call the cour-
fesies, you understand, and all that.
Ways thatll help me, too, to get on in
business. 1t isn't money that I care
so much about. I've made mine. out
West. It's-well, refinement, l s'pose
you'd call it, that need"
Miss Blair drew deep breath.
THAT'S a big order for me-" she
said. Her caller arose.
"Too big, 1 reckon" he said, disap-
pointedly. But she put forth detain-
ing hand.
Il could coach you on etiquette at
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 smied--an odd,
twisted Shutdown at her fiat little
shoes.
She questioned the Westerner con-
corning the lady of his heart when. on
the following morning, she gave him
uluTkeu UOOk oI ellVuetIP.
The big mans face softened into ten
derness as he answered her question.
"She Is small and fine, my girl" he
said with eyes crystal clear, like wa
ter sparkling. Her voice is as WON
ans voice should be, and--you'd have
to see her to know" he added help
lessly.
The hints on department which Miss
Blair gave to her pupil bore immediate
fruit. His daily visits became a
source of amusement to both.
One evening alone again in her
apartment. Miss Blair came upon the
astounding realization that she her
self was in love. In love so surely
that thought of her misfortune took
her breath away. For the object of
her affection was no other than the
man whom she had been teaching to
win the heart of another.
At the next meeting she told him
that their LESSONS must discontinue.
"T'm too busy" she explained.
"It's all been of no use then?" the
man said duly.
Miss Blair stared.
"Does she not care for you?" she
asked.
"She!" Bret Wells exclaimed. "Why,
you are the one have dared to love
You--the star above me. 1t began
when used to sit and watch you from