The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-06-29
"Take a Letter,
Please"
BY r. RAY BAKER

wondering whether you would consider
n similar engagement with mef l am
sure there would be no difficulty about
the terms and in case you feel favor
ably inclined you might call at my
home, 7S3 Sprlngside, on Monday eve
ming. 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 1t panied her to leave
this place, where she had seen pleas
ant service for two years, but leave II
she must, inasmuch as her employer
had passed on.
Good old Mr.. wainsmlthl How
kindly he had treated her, how consid-
crate he had been, how tolerant of
her faults And what a relief II had
been to serve some one who did not
try making love to her Three times
before accepting the position with Mr..
walnsmlth she had been obliged to
resign because of the Objectionable at
tentions paid by her employers. In
deed, she had begun to wish she was
less attractive, for II was proving
handicap to her business career. But
Mr.. Walnsmith had proved to be the
soul of proprlety, and II he exhibited
any affection 1t was paternal
When this letter came she had been
looking forward with dread to a repeti-
tion of the distasteful ordeals with
sentimental business men. The epistle
afforded considerable relief, for II was
unlikely that Ernest Hunter, the cele-
brated writer, would stoop to such
practices. She decided 10 accept the
offer, provided terms were satisfac-
tory, and there seemed little reason for
doubt on that score.
This was Saturday, and on Monday
evening she presented herself at 7S3
Sprlngside, to be admitted by moth
erly-looking woman.
81 am Mrs. Clayton, Mr.. Hunters
housekeeper," said the latter. "and /
presume you are Miss Lockwood. I'm
fortunately, Mr. Hunter has been
called away unexpectedly, but he gave
me full authority to engage you, pro-
vided you wish the position. The
duties will consist OF receiving and an
swering mail and of manuscript re-
vision, in which you will have the as
slstance of a stenOgrapher. An ap-
plicant for the stenographic position
Is coming tomorrow evening, but the
matter Of rejecting 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 accept
ed the offer without further discus
sion.
"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, "and
that is: How did Mr.. Hunter hear OF
me, and why did he offer me the posi-
tion?"
The housekeeper smiled in her moth.
erly way.
Gle was well acquainted with Mr.
Walnsmlth. They chatted frequently
at the club, and your employer was
continually singing your praises. MIR
Hunters secretary left about the time
Mr. Walnsmlth died. so naturally you
came to his mind"
Elizabeth lay I'm bed for some time
that night specializing In regard to hei
new work. II would be so different
from attending to stock matters, tC
which she had been accustomed in Mr.
walnsmlth's service. However, sh'
felt she would like her new duties
She wondered what Mr.. Hunter woult
look like, for she could not recall eyel
seeing a picture Of him, although she
had read one OF his books. II he wal
a friend of her deceased employer
probably he would be an old man, ant
she hoped he would be as genial al
Mr.. Wainsmith and that If he wal
affectionate II would be In a fatherl!
, way.
> She spent the next day tidying NJ
the workroom, for Mr.. Hunter ha'
|, not yet returned and there was moth
ing for her TO do. In the evening tn
applicant for the stenographic posi-
tlon appeared. and proved TO be I
young man Of about her own age
very blond young man with nice blu
! eyes, and well dressed.
Elizabeth had hoped to hire a cir
stenographer. but this applicant wa
so pleasing in appearance that she de
: cided TO give him trial.
|, "Take a letter, please" she said
3 and she directed briefly. He wa
I quick and accurate, so he was give
t the position.
s The next day a letter came fron
/ Mr. Hunter. announcing his lnablllt
TO return home for several days bu
containing explicit instruction In re
, gard to certain manuscript. Ellzabet
, and his assistant set to work and aC
complished great deal before NIGH
fall. The program laid out was eS
tensive, involving at least week
labor so they We're kent busy