The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-16
d.
.sHO.R' S OR
FAKE a LETTER
BY Il. RAY BAKER.
EAR Miss I.ockwood::

TN EAR Miss Lockwood:
Inasmuch as the death OF
- your employer, Mr.. VAIN
Ssmitf must automatically deprive
Agou OF your position as his PRIV
l&ate secretary, am wondering
whether would consider SIM
liar Engagement with me? am
s.sure, there would be no difhcuity
about the terms; and in case you
feel favorably inclined you might
call atm home, 7S3 Springdaie,
: on Monday evening. Very truly,
yours. Earnest Hunter.
Elizabeth read the message for
the second time. and then looked
about her neat office in the VAIN
smith home and sighed. It panied
J. err to~lcave this place. where she
had seen pleasant service for two
years, but leave it she must, mas
much as her employer had passed
on.
Good old Mr.. Wainsmith! How
4 kindly he had treated her, how
5considerate he had been. how toll
Grant Of her faults! And what a
relief 1t had been to serve some
one who did not try making love
to her. Three times before ac-
cepting the position with Mr..
Sto resign because OF the objection
liable attentions paid by her en-
Aployers. Indeed, she had begun
Ito wish she was less attractive,
for9it was proving ga handicap to
.%her business career. But. Mr.
ITWainsmith had proved to be the
soul of propriety. and if he exhib-
Nsited any affection it was pater-
Sinal.
sss TAKE y LETTER"
When this letter came she had
been looking forward with dread
Ito a repetition Of the distasteful
8ordeals. with sentimental business
mem; The epistle afforded consid-
&erab1e relief, for it was unlikely
that Ernest Hunter, the celebrat-
sspracticcs. She decided to accept
the offer, provided terms were sat
and there seemed little
reaSon for doubt on that score.
This was Saturday and on Mon
day evening she presented herself
gat gTS3 Springdale, to be admitted
.tby Misunderstanding woman.
81 am Mrs. Clayton. Mr.. Hun
4terss housekeeper." said the lat
tersand l presume you are Miss
Lockwood. Unfortunately Mr..
Hunter has been called away I'M
sexpectedly, but he gave me full au-
thorfty to engage you, provide you
wish the position. The duties will
consist OF receiving and answering
mail and of manuscript revision in
which you will have the assistance
Ola stenographer. An applicant
4forsithe stenographic position is
coming tomorrow evening. but
the matter Of rejecting or employ
Sing this applicant will be left en-
sttrelN in your hands.
The remuneration proposed by
Mrs. Clayton was beyond anything
Elizabeth had dared hope. and she
accepted the offer without furth-
ser discu ssion.
You Will make your home
here, said the housekeeper.
your room has been prepared in
anticipation of favorable deci-
sion on your part. Are there any
questions you would like to ask?'
..OnIy one" Elizabeth replied.
s.and that is: How did Mr.. Hunter
shear of me, and why did he offer
sme the position?"
The housekeeper smiled in her
motherly way.
&safa...He was we'll acquainted with
NJ r.sSNainsmith. They chatted fre-
squentlv at the club and your en-
6pIoyer was continually singing
Your praises. Mr. Hunters secre-
@tary left about the time MIR. Vain
smith died, so naturally you came
tozhis mind.
Elizabeth lay in bed for some
time that night specializing in re
ward to her new work. 1t would
sbegso different from attending TO
- y, - .-l,, l,,,r Il
been accustomed in Mr.. Wain-
Smiths 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 picture of him,
although she had 1~ad -one of his
books. If he was friend OF
her deceased employer probably
sheswould be an old man, and she
hoped he would be as genial as
Mr.. Wainsmith and that if he was
saffectionate it would be in a
sfatherly way. q
She spent the next day tidying
up the1workroom, for Mr.. Hunter
had not yet returned and. there
was nothing for her to do. In the
evening the applicant for the
position appeared.
and proved to be young man of
about her own age-a very blond
young man with nice blue eyes,
and well dressed.
Elizabeth had hoped to hire a
girl stenographer. but this appli-
cant was so pleasing in appear
Sance that she decided to give him
trial.
Take letter. please" she said
and she directed briefly. He was
quick and accurate, SO he was
given the position.
The next day letter came from
Mr.. Hunter. announcing his in