The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-16
EDening Story
''Take a Letter"
BY r. RAY BAKER.
: Miss I.nckwnnd.

ployer, Mr.. Wainsnith, must auto
matically deprive you of your position
as his private secretary, I am won
dering whether you would consider a
similar engagement with me? I am
sure there would be no difficulty
about the terms; and in case you feel
favorably inclined you might call at
my home, 7SS Springdale, on Monday
evening. Very truly yours,
ERNEST HUNTER.
Elizabeth read the message for the
second time and then looked about her
neat office in the Wainsmith home
and sighed. It panied her to leave
this place, where she had seen pleas
ant service for two years, but leave it
she must. inasmuch as her employer
Good old Mr.. wainsmith! HOW
kindly he had treated her, how con-
siderate he had been, how tolerant OF
her faults! And what a relief it had
been to serve some one who did not
try making love to her! Three times
before accepting the position with Mr..
WSinsmith she had been obliged to
resign because OF the objectionable
attentions paid her by her employers
Indeed, she had begun to wish she
was less attra active, for it was proving
a handicap to her business career. But
Mr.. Wainsmith had proved to be the
soul of propriety. and if he exhibited
any affection it was parental.
When this letter came she had been
looking forward with dread to a repe-
tition of the distasteful ordeals with
sentimental business men. The epistle
afforded considerable relief, for it was
unlikely that Ernest Hunter, the cele-
brated writer, would stoop to such
practices. She decided to accept the
offer, provided terms were satisfac-
tory, and there seemed little reason
for doubt on that score.
This was Saturday, and on Monday
Sh nrps0ntpd herself nf 7AS
Springside, to be admitted by moth
erly-looking woman.
81 am Mrs. Clayton. Mr.. Hunters
housekeeper," said the latter. land
Unfortunately, Mr.. Hunter has been
called away unexpectedly, but he
gave me full authority to engage you,
provided you wish the position. The
duties will consist OF receiving and
answering mail and of manuscript re-
vision. in which you will have the as
sistance of a stenographer. An -ap-
plicant for the stenographic position
is coming tomorrow evening, but the
matter of rejection or employing this
applicant will be left entirely in your
hands"
The remuneration proposed by Mrs.
Clayton was beyond anything Eliza
beth had dared hope. and she ac-
cepted the offer without further dis
cussion.
you will make your home here"
said the housekeeper. your room
has been prepared in anticipation of
favorable decision on your part.
Are there any questions you would
like to ask"
"Only one" Elizabeth replied, land
that is: How did Mr.. Hunter hear OF
me, and why did he offer me the posi-
ton %
The housekeeper smiled in her
He was well acquainted with Mr..
Wainsmith. They chatted frequently
at the club, and your employer was
continually singing your praises. Mr..
Hunters secretary left about the time
Mr. Wainsmith died, so naturally you
came to his mind
Elizabeth lay in bed for some time
that night specializing in regard to
her new work. 1t would be so differ
ent from attending to stock matters, to
which she had been accustomed in
Mr.. Wainsmith's service. However,
she felt she would like her new duties.
She wondered what Mr.. Hunter would
look like, for she could not recall ever
seeing a picture of him, altho she had
read one of his books. If he was a
friend of her deceased employer pro-
baby he would be an old man. and
she hoped he would be as genial as
Mr.. Wainsmith and that if he was
affectionate it would be in a fatherly
way.
She spent the next day tidying up
the workroom, for Mr. Hunter had
not yet returned and there was moth
ing for her to do. In the evening the
applicant for-the stenographic position
appeared, and proved to be young
man of about her own aga very
blond Young man with nice blue eyes
Elizabeth had hoped to hire a girl
stenographer, but this applicant was
so pleasing in appearance that she
decided to give him trial.
-. =
end she directed briefly. He was
quick and accurate, SO he was given
the position.
The next day a letter came from
Mr.. Hunter, announcing his inability
TO return home for several days but
implicit instruction in re-
gard to certain manuscript. Eliza
beth and his assistant set to work and
accomplished a great deal before
nightfar. The program laid out was
extensive involving at least a weeks
labor. so they were kept busy.
AS they worked together Elizabeth
and the young man, who gave his
name as Carl Winters. naturally be-
meals together, with the housekeeper
presiding at the table, and during
these periods of relaxation from their
professional duties Elizabeth gained
n CIV insights into the attractive per
sona1ity of her stenographer- Before
the week had passed he had enter
tanned her at a downtown dinner and
at a theater.
This was something new in Eliza
beth's life. Attention from an en-
ployer was unwelcome, but from an
employe they were not so undesirable.
especially when the employe was an
attractive young man. She began to
grow fond of him, altho she fought
against it.
Perhaps her employer would not
approve of such proceedings, but Mr..
Hunter was not manifesting much in
terest in his new secretary. He re-
manned away. while his instructions
came regularly by mail.
Three weeks after meeting Carl. !