Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-04
a. Z02l2&|6Atze4s1t@?! 20! e. -.
= wn7nNFoR x
CHAPTER l

y.
have known better. Impulsively he
ordered this advertisement run
once in the HELP WANTED-FE-
MALE column of the leading daily
paper:
"Mr. Benjamin w. Mortified
wishes to secure the services of a
young lady of exceptional talents,
for confidential employment
which can be definitely remuner-
alive. Initial qualifications are:
fD That she be unmarried;
(2) that she be not more than %
years of age; (3) that she be I'M
mistakabIy pretty; (4) that she be
a gcntIewoman in fact as well as
i'm appearancc. Candidates will ap-
DIV to Mr.. Mortified in person, at
his home, The Oaks, in Montrose
Manor, at eight o'clock Wednesday
morning."
He had just dictated the essence
and some of the wording Of that
want ad to his male secretary, a
severe gentleman of Mr.. Merrl-
fields own age, and one even more
deeply rooted in tradition.
This is most extraordinary, MI
Merrifeld," the secretary protest
ed, mildly. "One's curiosity, 1 must
confess. is"
"One's curiosity be damned"
BENJAMIN w. Merrifield snapped.
DO as 1 say and don't try to butt
in, Mr.. Weems."
"Oh, of course, sir! But-a
young woman-a pretty young
woman-a pretty young woman"
Mr.. Merrifield turned to him tes-
tily, his snowy head shaking a bit.
He and his secretary, Jason
Weems, had fought thus for almost
so years.
II said a pretty young woman,
Mr.. Weems, and I mean pretty
Young woman! I want no other. Is
it a sin for a young woman to be
pretty? Or for me to want one IN
my employ?"
"Thev can be very dangerous,
Mr.. Merrifield," said Mr.. Weems,
solemnly. Gray-haired MIR. Weems
was an astute man.
Mr.. Merrifeld chuckled in salts
faction while the other man tele-
phoned the newspaper. He had set
the hour at s a. m. tomorrow for
a reason.
THE smart ones will be up and
reading early, Mr.. Weems," he eX-
planned. II want no lazy person in
my employ"
"Of course not, sir. The youth of
today is all too prone to" MIR.
Weems was off then on one of his
favorite topics. Together they
talked for half an hour. Then at
9 D. m. both old gentlemen went
dutifully to bed.
At $50 a. m. both were up and
at breakfast in their respective
dining rconls-Mr. Weems also had
lived in this vast brick residence
for more than 20 years-and at six
they had met again in Mr.. Merri-
fields main study to begin the
days work. Not that either had to
work-Benjamin w. Mortified was
worth more than 10 millions, and
Mr.. Weems had been comfortable
for years-but they agreed that
idleness for anybody was a sin. I'm
til they should be interrupted at
8 o'clock-if the advertisement
should bring any responsibility
would be busy tabulating monthly
reports of earnings and losses from
the two largest Merrifield copper
mines.
At 20 minutes to seven, however.
Graham, the butler, came into the
study carrying an envelope on a
tray Mr.. Weems took it carelessly,
but read its inscription with sud-
den interest.
1T is marked Personal and Ur-
gent sir" said he, passing it on
to his employer. Mr.. Merriield
scoWlcd at the interruption, but he
opened the envelope and read:
Dear Mr.. Merrifeld:
THE type of girl you want in
response to your advertisement IS,
I believe. one who will get to your
attention ahead of the crowd. /
have every sympathy for the hun
dred or more girls who are sure to
be here at eight, but even now /
am at your front door. May l
come in? GAYLE DIXON"
Old Mr.. Merrifield's face bright
ened. He reached to push back
white coWlick--habit of the dec
ades-and grinned somewhat tri-
umphantly at solemn Mr.. Weems.
Graham, that young lady at the
door-show her in. And Graham,