The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16

"Can you tell me the way to Martins
tower, sir %
"Martinstower !" repeated Mr.. Elliott,
staring at the stranger. "Upon my
word, it is a strange coincidence, young
sir. You are undoubtedly Mr. Hartwell,
referred to in the letter [ this morning
received from Maurice Martin-and beg
leave to introduce myself as Job Elliott,
agent for the Martinstower estate.
"Letter," repeated the young man, "has
the letter but just arrived %
"This morning" returned Mr.. Elliott,
courteously. perhaps you'll return with
me to-night, Mr.. Hartweli, and we can
60 over the property tomorrow. [ have
the less hesitation In extending an invita-
ton to you, young man, as your employer
gives me to understand that you are an
exceedingly worthy person, although
ahem-of conmon-place extraction"
The stranger had removed his soft hat,
probably out of compliment to the red
fingered young lady, and stood with a
pair Of large blue eyes fixed on Mr.. Eli
otis rather pompous face.
"Thank you, SIR he said composedly
GAS it is late, and [ am totally unac-
quainted in the vicinity, L shall accept
your hospitable offer"
Viola Elliott, handsome, olive-cheeked
girl of abuut twenty-was eagerly await
ing her father, just within the threshold
of the cozy, though plainly furnished
family apartment.
"Oh, papa, is it true that Martin is
She stopped short, and Blanche, a
plump, lanS gushing blonde who was curied
upon the sofa with novel in her hand.
burst into a giggle as the confidential
clerks tall figure loomed up behind her
portly parent
"Ny DEAR" said Mr. Elliott, fourishing
his haud, ':this IS Mr. Hartweil, the sec
retary, clerk-L scarcely know what to
call him-eispatched By Mr.. Martin to
prepare Martinstower for a fitting reccp-
ton
Viola bent her head stifly. Blanche
Just nodded. Truly the confidential clerk
felt that his greeting could scarcely be
characterized as over warm.
"I'apa," said Viola, following her father
into the dining room, what made you
ask him home with you just when you
are so hurried Z"
Hurried, Viola ?"
Chats just a mans view of things" Z"
pouted the young lady. "You might
have known that Blanche and I have
nothing fit to Wear-we must have our
new pink dresses made against Mr. Mar
tins return-and the best bed roam must
be repapered, and the parlor paint is
shocking, aud here you bring a great
staring fellow to lounge round in the way
Why couldn't he go to the village tav-
ern 2"
"My dear, you forget that he is Maurice
Martins confidential clerk"
"No, papa, J. don't forget anything of
the Sort" retorted Viola, sharply. ''But
| am sure that IS DO way to give AIr. Mar
tin favorable impression, tor him to fud
US hand and glove with his trumpery
clerk. He will suppose-he must sup
pose-that our associations are oe the very
lowest. Papa, it is too bad !"
And Viola burst into tears
II am astonished at papa" added
Blanche, who had entered to participate
in the discussion. 'Inviting cIerk-a
common clerk-to our house. At any
rate he must sleep in the little dark room
over the kitchen. SO Viola, we can have
the best bed room papered just as if he
we're not here"
The confidential clerk, standing in front
OF .he bright red sparkle of the fire in the
room beyond smiled to himself even while
deep aud indignant flush mounted to his
forehead, as he invountarily overheard
the little soto 0oce by-play in the other
room.
"And this" he murmured to himself,
sadly watching the gloomy masses of coal,
''is all the welcome wanderer receives,
after twenty years spent on the steril e
rocks OF forsign land. Home the word
has pretty echo, yet there is something
hollow in the sound after al"
''Mr Confidential Clerk. you are cry
ing!'
He started with quick blush, as a
little hand, red aud frosted with the cold,
was laid upon his coat sleeve.
"Crying! Ip'
"You needn't try to deceive me, sir, .
nodded Lizzie Elliott, who had crept to
his side, with white kitten in her arms.
II saw the bright drop sparkle on your
eye-lashes>like a great diamond, and then
| saw il fall upon the hearth. Why are
you crying? Is it because you are poor,
friendless, and of-what did papa call il
oh, Of common place extraction !''
He did not answer. There was some
thing in the soft plying shine of those
black eyes that enthralled his gaze. Lizzie
came close to him, winking hard to keep
sympathetic moisture from her own
dark .ashes.
"Don't cry p she pleaded softly
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