Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1867-01-09

tions, she made no allowance for an exigency
like this
"Can We do anything further for you %
questioned the young clerk politely.
"Nothing-no one can do anything now. >"
Frank Evans had been turning away, but
something in the piteous tones of her voice
appealed to every manly instinct within him.
Shall l send you to any other of your
friends?"
Il have no friends -
Perhaps can have your things sent to
some quiet family hotel r.
Minnie opened the little leather purse and
showed him two cent pieces, with smile
| that was almost tear.
This is all the money have in the world,
sir p
So young, so beautiful, and so desolate
Frank Evans had been New Yorker all his
life, but he had never met with an exactly
parallel case to this. He bit the end of his
pen in dire perplexity.
But what are you going to do?
Il don't know, sir. Isn't there work
house or some such place, I could go to, un-
til l could find something to do p
Hardly" Frank Evans could scarcely
help smiling as poor Minnie's simplicity.
''They are putting out the lights, and pre-
pairing to close the office, y said Minnie start
ing to her feet. Il must go somewhere.
Miss Harlan said Frank, quietly, my
home is very poor one-I am only five
b1,pf 10ll IL I,,1 7
mother will receive you under her roof
day or two, if you can trust me-
Trust your Minnie looked at him
through violet eyes obscured in tears
ooh, sir, / should be SO thankful ~
''How late you are, Frank | Here, give
me your overcoat-it is all powdered with
snow and"
But Frank interrupted his bustling cherry
checked mother, as she stood on tip-toe to
take off his outer wrappings.
Hush mother i there is young lady
down stairs"
A young lady, Frank ?''
''Yes mother expressed on from Iowa to
old Harrington, the rich merchant He sail
ed for Europe this morning, and she is en-
tirely alone. Mother, she looks like poor
Blanche, and knew you wouldn' refuse her
a corner here until she could find something
to do"
Mrs. Evans went to the door and called
her cheerily out.
''Come up stairs, my dear--you' re as well
come as flowers in May Frank you did quite
right ; you always do
The days and weeks passed on, and still
Minnie Harlan remained an inmate of Mrs
Evans humble dwelling.
1T seems just as though she had taken
our dead Blanche place., said the cozy lit
tie widow ''and she is SO useful about the
house don't know how managed with
out her."
"Now Minnie you are notin earnest about
leaving us tomorrow ?'
II must, dear Mrs Evans. Only think
Il have been here two months tomorrow ;
and the situation as governessis very advan-
tageous
''Very well, I shall tell Frank how very
oDStlnate you are.
Dearest Mrs, Evans, please DON'T
Please keep my secret
''What secret is it that is to be so relig-
iously kept p asked Mr.. Frank Evans cool
ly walking into the midst of the discussion,
with his dark hair tossed about by the wind,
and his hazel brown eyes sparkling archly.
Secret |" repeated Mrs Evans, energet-
ically wiping her dim spectacle glasses.
s'Why, Minnie is determined to leave us te-
morrow.
Minnie ~
i must, Frank, have no right further
to trespass on your kindness.
'sNo right, eh Minnie, do you know that
the house has been different house since
you came into it Do you suppose we want
to lose our little sunbeam p
Minnie smiled sadly, but her hand felt very
cold and passive in Frank warm grasp.
you'll stay, Minnie p
''No." She shook her head determinedly. |
''Then you must be made to stay, said
Frank. ''Tve missed something of great
value lately, and hereby arrest you on sus
picion of the theft IL
Missed something ~ Minnie rose, turn
ed red and white. ''Oh, Frank, you can nev
er suspect me u
But / do suspect you In fact [ am
quite sure the article is in your possession. y
! 1.-THE articlel