for such
work, she expected to continue in the same routine until she left
Harrington & Bush for good.

It was, therefore, something of a surprise to be called into the office
of the managing partner on Tuesday afternoon. Bush's private
stenographer sat at her machine in one corner.

Mr. Bush turned from his desk at Hazel's entrance.

"Miss Weir," he said, "I wish you to take some letters."

Hazel went back for her notebook, wondering mildly why she should be
called upon to shoulder a part of Nelly Morrison's work, and a trifle
dubious at the prospect of facing the rapid-fire dictation Mr. Bush was
said to inflict upon his stenographer now and then. She had the
confidence of long practice, however, and knew that she was equal to
anything in reason that he might give her.

When she was seated, Bush took up a sheaf of letters, and dictated
replies. Though rapid, his enunciation was perfectly clear, and Hazel
found herself getting his words with greater ease than she had expected.

"That's all, Miss Weir," he said, when he reached the last letter.
"Bring those in for verification and signature as soon as you can get
them done."

In the course of time she completed the letters and took them back.
Bush glanced over each, and appended his signature.

"That's all, Miss Weir," he said politely. "Thank you."

And Hazel went back to her machine, wondering why she had been
requested to do those letters when Nelly Morrison had nothing better to
do than sit picking at her type faces with a toothpick.

She learned the significance of it the next morning, however, when the
office boy told her that she was wanted by Mr. Bush. This time when
she entered Nelly Morrison's place was vacant. Bush was going through
his mail. He waved her to a chair.

"Just a minute," he said.

Presently he wheeled from the desk and regarded her with disconcerting
frankness--as if he were appraising her, point by point, so to speak.

"My--ah--dictation to you yesterday was in the nature of a try-out,
Miss Weir," he finally volunteered. "Miss Morrison has asked to be
transferred to our Midland branch. Mr. Allan recommended you. You are
a native of Granville, I understand?"

"Yes," Hazel answered, wondering what that had to do with the position
Nelly Morrison had vacated.

"In that case you will not likely be desirous of leaving suddenly," he
went on. "The work will not be hard, but I must have some one
dependable and discreet, and