THE MAN IN A HURRY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12934, 14 October 1907, Page 5

THE MAN IN A HURRY.

By Owct Outbb. "Chief wants you at once, Mia* Mordaunt," said the manager. He was mopping his forehead. I finished the eentence I was writing, took out my shorthand books, and examined the point* of my pencils. Finding one unsatisfactory, I sharpened it, carefully. "He's in a hurry," the manager protested. The chief flurries him. "Be usually is," I answered calmly.. He does not flurry mc. "He's worse than usual," the manager persisted. "The American mail oanfe in five minutes ago. Four minutes ago he decided to go across to-morrow afternoon. For goodnees' sake look sharp!" "I may not look sharp, Mr Harnden," I rejoined: "but Ism!" I had already decided to accompany the chief to America. \ "What do you think time is maae forP" he snapped, when I entered. He is John Freeman, financier and millionaire. I am his secretary. "I am ready," I said calmly, and seated myself in my usual place. "To Isaacs and C 0.," he began, and gabblod off letter after letter tor twenty minutes. Then I looked up. "You're misquoting them,- , I remarked. "What they actually said WftQ _ "I know," he interrupted testily. "It's a bluff. Go on." But I efiook my head. '',",,„. "The bluff is too palpable," I told '"Umph! Well, put it like this » And he went on for another quarter of an hour. Then I held up my hand. "Too quick for you ?" he eaid triumphantly. "Not at aU " I contradicted. "But I muat send this batch out to be transcribed, if you want uiem done to-day. Other people are'nt so quick aa we are." , . . I am not quite so quick as be is; but I always say that 1 am. It i* one of our standing quarrels. There are several others. He threaten* twice a week to dismiss mc, but he doesn't mean it. i poetess four qualities lhat he ne informs mc when he* i» in, • good humour. The qualities, acoording to him, are quickness (inferior own), intelligence (for a woman), honesty (without qualification), and—im-, pudenoe! I admit the first three. My impudence consists in correcting bun when h« ie wrong. It i* on aocoant of this quality that he pay* mc ee.mucn as the assistant manager. . "Umph!" he growled. "1 don't trust those girls of yours. You're to read them over, mina.' , _ . "Of omirae!" I said tartly. He ha» no business to interfere in my department. "I never truet them—or you! Hβ is a very clever man, but he is carelew over detail*, and I alwayi check his facts and figures. "I don't know

what you'll dowithout njg.jp. AmepPt • ' "Like io'comeP , -' he inquired.-. > "Ye»," I said promptly., . , 1 He looked at mc, for a few seconds, under hie eyebrows. . . , . "Will you marry mc t" Hβ asked abruptly. • f ~. ■j The entry of » clerk for the letters gave mc a few moments to recover from my astonishment, end saved reFutation for promptn«H of ; decieion. was really taken aback for once. I "No," I eaid when the door closed. • "Umph 1 Go on. Memorandum as to Flight Syndicate; in cypher; to be opened by the manager only: and only in emergency-——" And on he rattled for another half-honr, till I objected to • passage in a letter to. Sharp and Sons, with whom we had a lorig-etana-ing dispute. j "It's all right," he aaid impatiently. "It brings the matter to a head." ! "That's the mistake," I answered. ! "You can afford to wait. They can t. "Why help them F" ■■■.... i , "Right," he agreed. "Strike it out. You're a clever girl. Why won't you come into partnership P" ~. "Do you offer mc a business partnershipP" I. inquired. . i '\lf you'll throw in—a wedding 1" "Mr Freeman!" I ejaculated. "That's my offer. Will yon marry mc ', before we etartP" '. "No." "Aβ soon as we arrive P" :■ "No." [ "Umphl Send out those tEinge ' to be d»ne." I rang toe bell, and sent ',' them to be transcribed,- except the one to be written in cypher. Only toe , chief, the manager, and I "know that. "WellP" I asked, when the clerk bad ■ gone. "You've got to marry mc," said tne - ' chief firmly. "Indeed I've not t" I replied, ' equal firmness. "Why should If" "I'm worth marryinfe." he statedI tossed my head. T>o yon imagine that I would marry you, or any man, for his money?" I demanded. "I know you wouldn't, he agreed. •'Then P" I asked. "You like mc." • "Yea," I agreed. "I like you/ "I'm glad to hear it." "Then 1" be asked in turn. "Then our liking is mutual!" 1 laughed and he frowned. He does not like being laughed at. "Then why not marry meP "Neither 'liking , nor 'business , would induce mc to 'throw in a wedding,' • I said scornfully. Hβ sat down and fidgeted with, a penholder. . '; « "I didn't know you were—sentimental!" he eaid. His tone implied that 'sentiment' covered every folly under ■ the 6un. "I'm not sentimental," I told him, . "only—a woman. 'Throw in a wedding,. indeed! it is evident that you are ne* . i sentimental P „ \ n "Umph!" he growled doubtfully. '1 , don't know. Sometimes I Have a. i troublesome feeling—here!" P* l»»tf his hand upon hie waistcoat. ' •* : "In your watch-pocket?" I inquired. f "I meant my—heart." He grinneu I apologetically at the word. ► "That," I stated, "is lower dow», . and more to the right; but I expect t it's only indigestion!" ' : "It's nothing of the kind," fceitmri ed "It'e a—a sentiment; a sentiment i I tell you!" He banged the taole with ■ nJe fiet. -■"' . ". " I hope it kn't catching," I obser#r cd. "The eymptons are rather •lanai ing." , ; ! He got up and stamped aboat tb« i room before ne answered. ■ « "I'll tell you something that will su> : price you," be volunteered. I have » I motherland——" •, . :■ "That does not surprise id* in th* > least," I protested. "I mean the sentiment" he ' cd. "It's about h«r." ■ '■ "Oh!" I said. I thought he meant :"m«. • , T. "She's.getting wry old; haso'J been

well lately; wants mc .to run over. That s why I'm going." you donH want meP" 'Yes, I do. I—she's got.a sentiment. I She's set her mind on seeing my wife before—ehe's old, you know. So die wants mc to take you." ! "Your wife, you mean," I corrected. 'Same thing," he asserted. '1 assure you it isnt!" I declared. "But it ie! You see-—" He sat down and wagged his finger at mc. "She wae always worrying mc to get married. So, just to quiet her, I wrote that Iα got my eye on someone." "Oh!" I said. "You had, had you?" I thought it was rather mean of him not to nave told mc. ' "No, I hadn't." he disclaimed. "Ft waan't likely! Id enough to keep my eye on, without running after women. I don't see what there is in them to run after, ihey look all right; but they do nothing but chatter." "I don't," I etated indignantly. "Other women, I meant. You're different. That wae why I thought you'd do." "Do!" I cried. I felt ac though i would like to 'do' for him! "I mean't—you're not a fool." I rais!ed my hands. "No. really you're not. We'd get on all right. Don't you think —er—you might?' "I've told you I won't," 1 eaid firmly. "Umph!" Hβ frowned. "Its beastly awkward. You see, she wrote by the next mail, and wanted a—specification of the lady. I had to say something. 8) I answered that ehe wae tall, ana had a good figure, and big dark eyes. I prefer that eort, you know." "No, I don't" "Well, I do! I'm hanged if she didn't ask for more particulars! Women are w> confoundedly curious! That stumped mc altogether. So I went into the room where you girls eat—when you used to sit with the rest—to get a model; and there you were!" "What!"' I cried. "Do you mean to tell mc that was the reason you gave mc confidential work? and made mc your secretary? And paid mc a good salary P To use mc ac a model? A model!" I was so cross that I stamped my foot. "It eeems that my face wae my fortune!" "Not in the least," he said. "Not in the least! I don't care about your face!" I gave him a look, that seemea to startle him. Your face is all right," he explained hastily. "I only meant that I didn't take any notice of ft, after the first time. At least, I noticed it, but Look here, you needn't get savage. You know what I mean." "I presume," I said stiffly, "you mean that you regarded mc originally as a model, but that you have advanced mc, and made mc your secretary, on account of my work, and not on account of my appearance." "Quite co," he said.' "Quite co. In fact, I regarded your appearance ac a drawback." "Oh!" I cried furiously. "I don't care for a secretary to be so very good looking " "Oh—hi" I gasped. "As you are?' "Oh—h—h!" I wae glad to find that he did not mean to be insulting. "In short, you were so capable that I pot up with your looks. Besides, they came in very well for—for tne model. You are co beautiful " "Don't be absurd!" I begged. "So beautiful in accordance with the specification, I was going to say! You're tall. You haven't such a bad figure." The wretch! "Your eye*—l suppose some fellowVhae told you about your eyeeP" "Lote of follows," I eaid cheerfully. "Did you like any of themP" he aeked sharply. "Several," I stated. "Umph! I don't mean 'liking.exactly. DM they—did.you—l mean er— eentiment, you know ?" ' /'Really, Mr Freeman f Of course not! What did you say about mc in your letters?" "What didn't I say!" He groaned. "I described your voice—you've ratuer a> good voice, you know-Vend your cleverness; ana your—«r— manners——" "My,impudenceP" rsuggested. "No— o. ■ Yon are, of - course, but— but I left out your drawbacks." "The' letters must have', been short ones," I'observed feelingly. ' "No," he eaid. "No. lou see, I put in all the good qualities I could think of. I dare cay you possess come o> them, but " . "I should not advice you to take them on trust!" I eaid grimly. 'Really, Mr Freeman, you have taken an unpardonable liberty. However, it does not much matter. Your mother is not likely to see mc; and, if she did, efie would not be likely to recognise mc from yonr fanciful description." "Ah!" he said; "bat, you ccc, I cent her your photo." "My photo! Well! How did you get itP" "It was the group; the ladies of the office, with you at the head of them. I got a photographer to take you out separately, arid totich you up a bit—' , "Touch mc up!" If I had not sent my shorthand books out, I believe I'<i thrown them at him. "Anyhow he made you look very nice. So I bought a dosen " "A doienl" "I thought she'd like to send some to her friend* - ; and l wanted one or two mjself—for purposes of description, you see." "I don't see," I said furionaly. "You are a beast!" "Beauty and the beast!" he aerr«*»d. "A good old-fashioned story, with a good old-faehionea eutfing. Don t you think—Well, you needn't look so disagrewble. ■ There was' no reason wfiy I shouldn't have one o* your photos. We were very good friends. You said yourself that you liked mc." "I did!" I said, "but after this—! Besides, I only meant'as an employer/ "Noneenser he retorted. "If you >like anybody, you like him; and you can't stop liking him just because you don't like something., that he ' does. We're friends right enough. "What's the-use of trying to blun one another. I You know very well that we are." • I "Yβ—et," I admitted. "I suppose we •re. 11l see when you come back from America. I shall ihave had time to cool down by then." He groaned. "Do you mean to say you're not coming?" ' "I do." "Is that final P" "Absolutely final." He groaned again. ■ "I don't know what I shall do wnhout you," he complained. "I was thinking of doing that deal with the Amalgamated Metal Syndicate. You've always taken such an interest in it. You worked out that if we got What was the figure?" "It all depended," I eaid eagerly. "Ihere are nine sets of figures, and—— You musn't do it witnout mc.. Realty, r you mustn't. It's the one thing I know I better than you do. I do, really, Mr ! Freeman." ■ ■ "Yes," he agreed. You do." It was the first time he had ever atfoutted that I knew more than he I did about anything in the business. I . '.Then wait till you come back. Ido !so want to have a hand in that. Really, I do. You must wait" "Wait!" oe oried. "Do I ever wait for anything?" "«NoJ' I agreed; "but this is really tin business," I had made.the origins, iuggeition, a* well as worked it oat. '"Then come over and do it," he sain. "You shall have a frea hand. I'll let «« conduct te# negotiationa •*•*»•" ttOkf' I «W- good of tou! I—really it ia a great coropiii ment, Mr Freeman." I Be eat np atraight a»a looked at mc. "It is an absolutely honest and welldeeerTOd one, Miss Motdaunt,»h* mhl. "leonsider you 9#t«Alj competent to do that business. Will jouP" I considered with my ohm on my hand. I wanted to go to America; andl simply itched-to hare a finger in tWd«W with the ftmdjcate.

"Oh, welll" I eaja at last. "If it's ft matter of business, I'll come with pleasure. Will you promise that you will not let mc hear a word of anything but business?" "What's the use of promising?" he earn gloomily. "When my mother sees you " mustn't see mc." "Shell come to meet you, if she has to be carried Bless her! I've cabled that I'm taking my wife." "Really!" I cried. 'It's preposterous. Do you mean to say you thought I'd jump at your offer and marry you on the spot?- , "You always decide quickly," he muttered. '"I havel But you seem to hare assumed that I could only decide in one w;ay. You didn't "provide for contingencies.' " It is a. pet roaxjm of bis. "Oh, yes, I did! I knew, 'if " you wouldn't, someone else would!" I rose with dignity. 'Then you can take—eomeone else, 1 l eiid. "Perhaps you would like to have all the girls in. and make a choice?" I meant this for sarcasm, but he did not eeem to see it. "You might eend in the tall once," said thoughtfuiiy. "if they're tolerable figures and eyes!" , I moved to the door. '"You can send for them yourself," I said. "I give you a month's notice. I'm not going to stay here to take orders from Beatrice Webb. ,, "Umph!"' he said. "Why Miss Webb in particular?" '■fine is in accordance with specification," I said frigidly. "She is talltaller than I. She has a good figurenot merely tolerable. Her eyes are larger than mine, and darker. She is quite nice; end quite nice-looking; end I think she will merry you. You see"—l looked at him artlessly—"she is very stupid 1" "Women ought to bo!" he eaid cheerfully. "If ehe comes up to specification in other respects, I really think she might do for mc. But I'm afraid she wouldn't do for my mother. There are one or two things I. mentioned about—about the lady, that my mother would notice directly. , '' He looked at mc ac if he expected m>3 to ask questions. I felt it was undignified to do so; but my curiosity was greater than my dignity. "Yes," I asked sulkily. 'In the first place, I said she was Tery fond of mc. My mother would be very particular about that." "May I ask why you thought that I should eatisfy her in that respect P" "You wouldn T t marry mc if you weren't" "No; nor unless you were—but that doesn't matter. What else did you sayP" * -'I said that I was awfully fond ©1— of her." "Mr Freeman!" ■ _.. ■ "My mother would bo very ler about that too," he asserted. It I pretend that I liked Mice Whatcoyu-call-her. the old lady would find mc out in half a minute." "Then," I said, "what would be the ase of taking nve?" He jumped up from the taw©.. "And you call yourself quick 1". he ■aid quite scornfully. I simply stared at him. "I—l—What do you meanP" I asKed. My voioe sounded funny. "Do you want mc to tell you that I'm in love with you P" he inquired. Somehow I had to laugh. I don't know why. "Yes,' i said, "I do." "Then, if it'e any satisfaction to you, I am. But you knew it all along. You've only been bluffing." I looked at him. "I did not," I said. "1 thought i. was only buaines*, and—and your mother; and as for 'bluffing'—you said —you said " "It was bluffing about Miae—luiss Go-and-hang-her!—if that* what you mean." "And your mother?" "No. That's true." "And the—the model P" "That'e right" "And—all the restP" "All the reft. Only I—l got font: of you; and I was fool enough to thin), that you-— Well, it serves mc right I ought to have seen that you didn t. I wae a fool, and— Thatfs all." He turned -round and dumped his head on his hand. I opened the door, and shut it with a bang} only—l stopped inside. • He gave a miserable son of growl. "And she doesn't care a hang foi mc," he muttered. I tiptoed across the carpet,, and pu. my band on his shoulder. . * "And you call yourself quick!" J •aid. And then I laughed; and then 1— was very silly! So was be I My clerks, murmured when I satt they must come at eight the next mom ing and finish everything by -half*)*, ten. (The wedding wae at eleven; bu of course I had' not told them.) "You're in a dreadful hurry," complained "You should see the hurry that he' in!" I said. I never saw a man in such a harry!" :