Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-08-06

"
two"
4" Hold your tongue y interrupted st.
John, stormily. WyDlan must know
nothing of our little business transaction.
I shall take his place behind your counter,
if you please!' -.......s.E
The hook nosed man of ribbons bowed
and rubbed his hands fawningly. Grant
Wyman could scarcely believe his own
eyes when he saw young fellow of six feet
two standing behind the counter. as calm
~ complacent as if his whole life had been
spent among tape, ribbons and hooks and
eyes ...... ....~...
The next moment johnson was driving
him away from the door with futter of
fur robes and Ginning of bells and spring
ing of horses that made him almost fancy
himself among the delusive shadowings of
a delightful dream. ......-. ...
And how Jared Talbot st. John? {" Pref
ty we'll, considering" as the ladies say
Fortunately, it was early in the day, and
beyond few bargains in black pins, stay
laces and perfumed soaps, he had very lit
tie to do. r-s g. -. ...4s
Presently, however, the shop began to
fill apace trade grew brisker, and Mr.. St.
John found plentiful use for all the guam
tum of business talent that he possessed.
Have you any crochet-cottOn ?" ......
Down came half a dozen boxes of tape
about Mr.. St. Johns ears--the natural
consequence of the state he gave on hear
ing the sweet, familiar sound of Cecile
Horner's voice. ..fs .E-.. ,.....
ct don't know-that is, I'll see-Miss
Horner u ... --.....,.. ,.... .
Cecile opened vide her beautiful brown
eyes. . ... .... s.-.. ..
s'Mr. st. John p .-.....
And Mary-looking very daisy-llke in
pink bonnet, with white flowers echoed
the surprised exclamation. ..... ..
"Why, Mr.. John I didn't know
She stopped short, coloring as pink as
her bonnet.
eve did not know that you occupied
this station in life" said Cecile, haughtily
finishing her cousins incompleted SEN
tence. Thank you-I don't care about
the cotton -
And Miss Horner swept out of the low
ceiled little store, dragging Mary with
her. ........ ...
'sThe idea !' she scornfully exclaimed,
when they were once more in the street.
Chow dared Mrs. Emmons deceive us
so ? To allow me to dance with common
clerk p .s-..s g..
Gle is very gentlemanly, Cecile, meekly
"Gentlemanly An-an individual who
sells pins and needless clerk -
"Bnt, Ceclile, why can't a clerk be a
gentleman r'
sMary," exclaimed Cecile, indignantly,
'you haven't the spirit of fly do be-
lieve you like Mr.. st. John now just rs
we'll as when you believed him the seion of
an old Virginia family y
"Why shouldn't p meekly asked Mary.
II think clerk who sells pins and needles
quite as good as Virginian."
''Well y said Cecile, throwing volumes
of scorn into one brief monosyliable. n
for one shall not recognize him Ill irtur4.
You can do as you like"
And Mary walked by her stately consin's
side, marveled at the strange rnle5 and
regulations of the arbitrary thing called
society" and rejoiced that she. waa not
bound to swear allegiance tn it's d'.thtes.
II dare say my tastes are very COM
mon" thought meek Mary, "bnt Il can't
help it,
"Cecile," whispered Mary, that same
evening in her cousins ear, 'tsurely,
surely this is Mr.. St. John. =.
Cecile looked in the direction of her
cousins eyes, out beyond the maze of
waltzing couples to the tall figure ad-
vancing towards them. /
The assurance Of tie man. she exclaim-
ed, contemptuousIy. 'iIe never will dare
to speak to me-
But he did dare, holding out frank
hand a, he spoke the stereotyped phrases
of greeting. ...
Cecile Horncr looked him full in the
eyes with glance that might have frozen
him, and turned away without replying by
word or syllable. Talbot st. John arched
his eyebrows little and smiled, Mary
spoke up in tho impulse of the moment.
feel as Cecilo does. Please shake hands
with me? ...
He held the soft little hand in his one
with a singular thrill in his
breast. ~
Are you unconventional enough to re-
cognize the clerk Miss Horner 2 i.
L like you, Mr.. st. JOHN eaid Mary, 4
innocently. i dont't care whether you
are clerk or not ..
His eyes frightened.
You like, Mary. Is there no other
word for my tears, Mary--darliDg- don't
dare to ask if you love me 2 ...
Through the din of harp and violin and
horn, the music of his words
her ear-thrOugh the silver throb
of waltz music her answer came to him.
oh, Talbot! thought had hidden it
my own heart
And their eyes met-and they knew that
hereafter they should be all the world to
each other.
To think that our Mary should engage
herself to common clerk said Cecile, |
ready to cry with indignation. a day or so
,a.
My dear, havn't the least idea what
you mean, said honest Mrs. Emmons.-!
Isn't she engaged to Talbot st, John q
Yes, but he is |
"He is the oldest son of the st. Johns
Of c., Virginia. Have you heard of
the great coal mines on the St. Johns
estate an income of ten thousand year
At the very least - ...
Mrs. Emmons, you are mistaken
"No, I'm not, my dear. His mother |
was my schoolmate, and I have known
Talbot from O child. Your cousin is in
rare luck. for Talbot is one in thousand"
Then Cecile Horner, in maze of doubt
and perplexity, told of the adventure in the
" Cheap Trimming Store" Mrs. Emmons
burst out laughing. .r
" can tell Won all ahont that " she said