Smyrna times., 1938-07-07
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
ROMANCE IN THE MAIL"
BY Barbara Ann Benedict

1kSA1EA4NS14 4AN 444A1 MALL
BY Barbara Ann Benedict
0nEAR Temple: I was indeed
- glad to learn that you had OBJ
tanned such satisfactory position.
am sure that you will make a most
efficient secretary. Frankly. had
been entertaining some misgivings
about your future. Serving in the
capacity Of guardian to modern
young ladies is, after all. hardly in
my line, although I was only too
glad to look after the daughter of
my close friend, Tom Creighton,
when he SO Unexpectedly passed
away. I imagine you are quite
grown up young lady now, though
it is hard for me to visualize you in
any other form than girl in pig
tails and short dresses"
Aaron Bell. thirty-four, looking ten
years younger. abruptly ceased die
tating and stared hard at his stenog-
rapher. This stenographer, Miss
Daniels by name, was small, dark,
vivacious and exceedingly attrac-
tive.
During the next few days Aaron
began to get an inkling of why it was
that he felt uneasy when debating
letters to Miss Daniels. He began
to wonder il heretofore he hadn't
been attempting to evade an issue.
He asked himself, secretly, If Miss
Daniels was becoming to mean more
to him than just secretary.
It was while these questions were
still running, unanswered and dis
turbingly through his mind that he
received an answer to his letter.
Dear Guardian: Your letter was
50 friendly. yet paternaL 1t gives
me feeling of security just to
know you are interested in what I
am doing. Yes. I am quite grown
UP now. The pigtails have disap-
peared but not the short skirts. Not
when I have the most perfectly
shaped legs in the graduating class.
i would be crime 10 conceal them,
don't you think? I must run down
and see you some time. I'm sure
you'd be surprised. BY the way,
like my Job more and more every
day. Especially my boss. He is quite
a young man. and dear. In fact, I've
become quite infatuated with him"
Vaguely alarmed at the tone Of
this document, Aaron rang for Miss
Daniels and dictated the following
letter: Dear Temple: Your refer
ence TO your boss is somewhat
disturbing. Bosses who display in
terest in their secretaries are usual
~ not fit men with whom to as
sociate. would suggest a cold re-
fusal 70 any advances he might
make"
Aaron finished debating the letter
and acting wholly on impulse,
asked Miss Daniels to join him at
dinner.
Two days later Aaron was rudeIy
swept out Of the realm Of ecstasy
"a state Of mind brought about by
nus dinner date with Miss Daniels.
Wnom he had discovered to be most
osnghuul company by receiving
another letter from his ward.
Dear Guardian: So sorry 10 be
disobedient. But my boss is really
quite lovely. and has been display
ing an unusual amount Of interest |
70 me since my last letter. am not |
little battered by his attention and |
very much thrilled. IN fact, I believe
could fall In love with him very
easily"
Aaron rang for Miss Daniels.
Dear Temple: I demand that you
resign from your present position
AZ once. It's silly and absurd to
mink OF girl your age falling in
l0ve, especially with a man who
MAKES love TO every stenographer
ne employs. which explains why the
position was open when you applied
~ tnese dull times. Please con-
sider this letter a direct command
ana not suggestion. will expect
Z reply by return mail. stating that
you have followed my instructions.
sincerely, A. B."
mat night Aaron suggested a
drive through the country and was
uehshted when Miss Daniels ac-
cepted. 1t was a beautiful June eve
ning' with full moon and a cooling
breeze blowing off the ocean. 1t
might have been the atmospheric
conditions which stirred to life the
sluinoering romance that turks with
y me breast of every man, or 1t
n,ight have been the simple desire
VI a man for mate. At any rate
aaron took Miss Daniels In his arms
ald kissed her and whispered
things that somehow
seemed to fit the occasion.
me next morning he found an