Kansas City Mo 10/17
Fredk. Tatton,
Eastern Life Insurance Co. 60 Monroe st., Chicago.
Strict confidence am engaged marry your secretary Georgia Connor who
now sick columbus hospital please arrange hospital authorities give her
best care private room special trained nurse my expense don't let her
know my participation say attention comes from company gratitude her
fidelity ability also keep her name payroll until return duty charge my
account confidential my progress here satisfactory wire answer collect.
Stevens 814 AM
The old man himself had not been entirely immune to Georgia's charm,
although in the office and before him she had steadily veiled her
personality behind her status as a precise, prompt and well-lubricated
appanage of a Standard Typewriter No. 4. So it was only a well subdued
charm that the old man sensed in her, stimulating as a small glass of
syrupy liqueur.
It seemed to him pathetic that the silent, presentable, self-respecting
young woman, to whom for over a year now he had been revealing his most
private, money-making thoughts almost as fast as they came to him,
might never smile him another "good morning," agree with him pleasantly
that it was hot or cold or wet, and get rapidly to work on his business.
She was so accustomed to his ways, and he hated the thought of breaking
in another one--but, damn it, that wasn't all by any means, he liked
the girl on her own account--she was such a little lady.
The old man did some rapid telephoning and was able to answer Stevens'
wire half an hour after he got it.