The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-09-21
fifty made his appearance.

" Are there any vacancies in our estab-
lishment, Mr.. Foster?"
"None, sir; two applicants for every sit.
uation," returned the man, bowling.
"You may CO." said Mr.. Maitland, as the
man fingered to cast a look OF ardent ad-
imitation at the young girl, who still retain
ed her place by her father, who was now
gazing in his face with world of anxiety
in her blue eyes. Her father observed the
expression, and as The door closed behind
Mr.. Foster, he turned towards her.
swell, Grace, what is il"
" Please, father, let the boy stay only
think if it was me, and dear mother blind.
You can find place for him somewhere, ]
know. Won't you, fatherW
Mr.. Maitland smiled down into The sweet
face OF the pleader, which was now resting
on his shoulder, and she knew full we'll
enough then that she would be gra,ified.
Her father called the lad TO his side, and
said:
"You can write, or you would not ask
for clerks place Here, sit down at my
desk and give us specimen of your pen.
manship."
Frederick seized the offered pen and
dashed off few lines in a clear, forcible
style, which could not fail to please the
most fastdious connoisseur. MIR Maitland
examined the paper, laid it down again,
and said:
"Well, my boy, am willing 10 try you
for week; l want a private secretary 10
do my correspondence, and perhaps assist
irthe writing of the firm, and will Test
your ability, if you like the offer. And
how go home and tell your mother Of your
prospects; and here are five dollars in ad-
vance Of your salary she may need some.
thing"
Tears rushed TO Frederick's eyes; he
wrung the hand OF the merchant, cast a look
full of gratitude on the blushing face of
Grace Maitland, and fastened away.
Years fled on, and Frederick Neale had
become head book-keeper in the house Of
Maitland & Roorbeck. His employers pac.
ed in him unlimited confidence, aud he
enjoyed the respect and friendship of all
who knew him. Long ago it had been dis.
covered that the money which Mr.. Hardwick
had accused his errand boy of stealing had
only been mislaid, through the carelessness
Of the porter, and the young mans charac>
tex stood without a stain.
Dunng these years of prosperity, his one
great griei had been the death of his we'll
beloved mother; but he took comfort in
knowing that she died with full faith in
Him who is powerful to save
At intervals Frederick met Grace Matt
land-the good angel who had been instru-
mental in bringing him into the pleasant
paths he now travelled. Her greeting ,o..
wards him was uniformly kind-even friend
ly-but he hardly dared return it, lest his
true feelings should speak, and ruin all !!
There was tender place in his heart-a
sacred altar enshrined and veied-and the
idol placed there in privacy and stiffness
was Grace Maitland.
OF course it was very imprudent for the
young man to love the daughter of mil
lionaire, but love has always had an tex
iensive aversion TO being balanced in the
scales with gold, and Frederick's heart was
not under the control Of his will.
Connected with the house 10 which Fred.
erick was employed, was young man by
the name of George Farewell, fascinating in
his manner, with handsome face and a
polished address. He had seen Grace Matt.
land, and charmed by her extreme lowell.
ness, aGd the fortune which would BIZ hers
on the death of her father, he had conceived
for her violen, passion, which met with
no repose on her part.
Frederick secretly rejoced at this, for
aside from his own love for her, he knew
Farewell 10 be one Of the most consummaied
roues of the city. He was low and vicious
in his taste aud his associates were chosen
from the most dissolute frequenters OF
gambling hells. But Farewell was crafty,
and succeeded we'll in keeping his real
character concealed from his employers
and after little deliberation, he offered
himself TO Grace Maitland. She courte-
ously but decidedly declined the honor Of
his alliance, and Farewell, in fl; of disap.
pointed rage, vowed that he would, sooner
or later, take ample revenge for the insult
of her refusal.
Frederick Neale overheard the vow, and,
knowing as he did, the character of Fare
well, he had reason TO suppose that he
would not hesitate at trihes in the way Of
satisfying his thirst for vengeance. He
resolved to keep sharp watch upon his &C.
tions, and, as both the young men boarded at
the same hotel, this was comparatively easy.
Every night for week following his refusal
by Grace Maitland, Farewell remained out
till late hour, spending his time in the
low drinking saloons which are plenty in a
city like New York. But one night he
came home to his lodging early, in appa.
rent haste, and evidently excited by liquor.
Frederick, whose apartment was on the
same floor with Farewell's, remained up TO
watch the proceedings of his fellow.clerk ;
for, do all he could, it was impossible TO
rid himself of the haunting idea that dan
ger, in some shape menaced Grace Matt.
land.
A II r. 4