The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-25
CHAPTER 1

S4A3
Old MI. Mortified should have
known better. Inpulsively he
o-acred this advertisement run
cnce in the help Wanted-temale
column of the leading daily paper:
"Mr. BENJAMIN w. Merrifield
wishes to secure the services OF a
young lady of exceptional talents,
for a confidential employment
which can be definitely remuner-
alive. Initial qualifications are: %
That she be unmarried; ca that
she be not more than % years OF
age: 81 that she be Enthusiastically
pretty; "a that she be a gentle
woman in fact as well as IN ap-
pearance. Candidates will apply
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 n even more
deeply rooted in tradition.
This is most extraordinary, Mr..
Merrifield," the secretary protest
ed. mildly. Zones curiosity, l must
confess, is"
Zones curiosity be damned"
BENJAMIN w. Merrifield snapped.
do as l 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
MIR. Mortified turned to him tes-
tily, his snowy head shaking a bit.
He and his secretary, Jason
Weems, had fought thus for almost
so years.
Il said a pretty young woman,
Mr.. Weems, and l mean a pretty
young woman 1 want no other. Is
it a sin for a young woman to be
pretty? Or for me to want n IN
my employ"
''They can be very dangerous,
Mr.. Merrifield," said Mr.. Weems,
solemnly. Gray-haired Mr.. Weems
was an astute man.
Mr.. Mortified chuckled in salts
faction while the other man tele-
phoned the newspaper. He had set
the hour at 8 a. m. tomorrow for
a reason.
The smart ones will be up and
reading early, Mr.. Weems," he ex-
planned. Il want no lazy person
in my employ"
"Of course not, sir. The youth of
today is all too prone to" Mr.
Weems was off then on one of his
favorite topics. Together they talk
ed for half an hour. Then at 9
pm. both old gentlemen went duti-
fully to bed.
At $50 a. m. both were up and
at breakfast in their respective
dining rooms-Mr. Weems also had
lived in this vast brick residence
for more than 20 years-and at
six they had met again in Mr..
Merrifield's main study to begin
the days work. Not that either had
to work-Beniamin w. Mortified
was worth more than 10 millions,
and Mr.. Weems had been comfort
able for years-but they agreed
that idleness for anybody was a sin.
Until 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 d
tray. Mr.. Weems took it careless.
ly, but read its inscription with
sudden interest.
"It is marked Personal and Ur.
gent SIR" said he, passing it or
to his employer. Mr.. Merrifielo
scowled at the interruption but he
opened the envelope and read:
Dear Mr.. Merrifield:
'The type of girl you want il
response to your advertisement is.
believe, n 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
come in GAYLE DIXON"
Old Mr.. Merrifield's face bright
ened. He reached to push back {
white cowlick-habit of the dec