Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1920-02-06
MISS PLINY
BY JACK LAYTON.
1920, Western Newspaper Union

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| Copyright, 1920, Western Newspaper Union)
Miss Pliny pinned an imaginary
loose hair into the smooth coil at the
back of her head as she regarded a
small, blue-eyed girl, seated before a
typewriter near by. The figure of the
small blue-eyed girl dropped despon-
IDENTIFY, and her face was wistfully ap-
pealing.
Miss Pliny," the girl asked, as
though aware of the sympathy in the
gaze bent upon her, what ever have
you done with all your evenings, alone
in this big city? l was thinking about
1t last night as | sat in my room. You
told me once that you had never had an
admlrer or lover to take you about.
Neither have l, nor am l likely to
have, for it was the same back home
where | knew everybody. l seem to
have missed some way the secret of
attraction. Or it may be, that realiz-
ing the lack Of mems interest in my
self, l grow bored and tiresome in
their company. l don't know the rea-
son, but conditions are not likely to
improve in city where l am a
stranger while the girls have too
many good times of their own to both
er about lonely me. Miss Pliny, dear,
how do you spend your time and keep
from utter dullness2"
The elder woman smiled.
~ used to ask myself just that ques-
ton" she replied, until l learned
how to find, and give, happiness. My
dear Violet" Miss Pliny leaned for
ward her shrewd eyes sparkling. I've
had many love affairs, though never a
lover. Highly diverting affairs they
were, too"
Violet stared. "You don't mean," she
asked aghast, that you loved without
having your love returned-and were
happy"
GAuIllJJ uOuubu MlSS L lllys
Violet closed her typewriter.
Il can't see" she said laughingly,
show that could brighten lonely eve
ming"
The elder woman studied the girl
with a certain inScrutable expression,
which her associates In the office rec
Ognized as preceding some clever
business venture. Miss Pliny had long
been valued, though silent member
of the firm.
Good night! !" nodded Jim Bradley
toward her desk as he took his de-
parture, Good night" called Billy
Blair, the office favorite. Miss Pliny
responded absently. She was thinking
Of little Violet, and wondering impa-
tiently why these same good-looklng,
honest young fellows could pass her
shy, pretty assistant each day, without
a CLEAN of interest in their faces? Miss
Pliny knew the firms employees; they
were good boys, and straight on the
road to success. 1t was as Violet said.
The other merry girls of the Office
openly refused to recognize her exist
ence.
The girl slipped into her chair next
morning with her usual low-voiced
greeting, and it was not until near
closing time that Miss Pliny became
aware of a certain Subdued excitement
in her manner. Violet's blue eyes CLINT
ed, her pale cheeks were flushed with
color.
Miss Pllny," she SAID at last breath
lessly, "the most wonderful thing has
happened. l don't know how to explain
it, and l do not know exactly, what
to do. Please, advise me. On my desk,
when l came back from lunch, was a
florists box filled with glorious red
roses. Red roses, Miss Pliny, with an
audacious card reading Red roses, for
love- Nothing more, Miss Pliny. No
clue at all as to the sender The mes
sage had apparently been written by
the florist, for when 1 called up to
learn the name of the donor, the clerk
informed me that the person distinctly
wished to remain unknown. l have
met no men here, Miss Pliny, save
those in the Office, and you know, how
likely they would be, to send me
flowers"
Just wait and keep quiet" advised
Miss Pliny safely; truth will come
out"
After the fourth box of fragrant
roses had been received, Jim Bradley
approached Miss Plinys desk.
$50 the quiet one has a sentimental
admirer," he said laughingly.
"Violet is lovely enough to have
dozen of admirers" Miss Pliny
brusquely retorted.
And Jim Bradley, pausing, regarded
with a new light in his eyes the bowed
head of the little stenographer. Billy
Blair, passing later, motioned toward
the crimson bloom.
Tribute of devotion" he asked
Miss Pliny, "or are we turning into a
Miss Pliny smiled. Devotion would
naturally be Vlolets tribute" she
said.
Billy Blair gazed into the happily