The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-07-23

mixed. Often she would assist me out III my
column, and, when protested, declare in
her wilful, merry way, that she owed it to
me-for had not been her good angel when
she was novice at the case.'
One evening, an hour later than our usual
time for going home, Alice came to me from
the foremans dssk with slip Of paper in
her hand, and an exceedingly rLful counten-
ance.
Fifteen minutes more, Mary, before we
are freeF she said, regretfully. Mr.. SIS
son has just arrived from Europe, and of
course his return must be noticed in to-mor-
rows issue. His papa has just sent it up
Isn't it too bad, and the proofs nicely lock-
ed?'
Mn s. was our chief editor and sole
proprietor of the paper-a king in the Office,
whose nod was law and whose frown was an
Inhalation. His only son, Allen, was his
pride and hope, and his safe return to his
home, after his protracted wanderngs abroad
gave great delight to the loving old father,
and pretty item, from paternal point of
view, to the paper.
Alice looked thoughtfully at the scrap of
copy moment, saying lightly: We'll, never
mind. It's only few lines, so | will set the
beautiful Allen up with all dispatch in small
caps and 'nonparel.''
Tick, tick the little types went into the
stick deftly the rapid fingers flew over the
Gaze, and in a few moments the, beautiful
Allen was duly set up by as pretty hand as
ever handleda type.
removed murder item to give place to
the personal notice, then we loaded Mr.. AL
len securely, and locked the form, and in
this business manner an acquaintance with
Mr.. Allen s. began.
'bo Il ,ll loo Jo1
made his appearance in the compostor's
room, accompaniedby tall elegant stranger,
with a foreign air and faultless dress We
OWNED at once that he could be no other
than the son and heir, whose arrival Alice
had SO ungraciously announced. He seemed
to be on tour of inspection, and ready to
make friends with any one. lie shook hands
heartily with the foreman and then saunter-
ed up to the window where Alice and | were
busily at work, carelesslv glancirg at our
copy and over the galley, with the eye of a
connoisseur. Alice, intent on her work, did
not lift her eyes, but think Mr.. Allen noted
the exquisite turn of her head and neck, as
well as the mass of curling chestnut hair.
The day was warm, and hundred moist ring
lets were ripping away from her white fore
head, unconfned by hand or comb The large
loving dark eyes were hidden by their droop-
ing lids, but Allen could see the glow of
cheeks and lips, as well as the marble-white
hand and arm that futters like bird over
the case; with her sleeves tucked up, printer
fashion, and huge apron tied about her
waist, to protect her pretty dress, she looked
as sweet aud bright as a rose. l can see her
now by the window, just as she looked in
those days, with the soft summer wind play
ing amid her curls, and lifting the ribbon at
her throat.
Unconscious of Aliens admiration, she
briskly kept on distributing the damp types,
regardless of the lead-begrimed fingers that
occasionally paused to tuck back a stray
curl, at the risk of leaving a smudgy stain on
brow or cheek.
Day after day our editors son wandered in
TO our room, until we grew accustomed to
his presence, and could work unembarrassed
under his sharp gaze. Unconsciously we
learned to look for his coming, and miss
something if his kind face failed to smile IN
upon us during the long afternoons that were
now gradually verging into autumn.
Allen was about thirty-three years of age,
with black hair and the blaskest of eyes, so
full of depth and strength that one could
easily guess the lofty power and genius slum-
bering beneath the polished exterior Of the
travelled man and scholar. The foreign
looking black whiskers and moustache gave
peculiar cast to his almost stern features
but the full black eyes were pleasant and ten
der, as if to atone for the grave mouth and
austere chin.
AS said, he came Often to see us, and
was want to linger near Alice in half-indo-
lent, half-interes:ed way, not in manner to
attract attentian, however. lie was careful
to avoid remarks. Sometimes he would amuse
himself by setting up an item, or in looking
over a column proof, for he was q good
printer, and quite at home in all matters
pertaining to the office. Somehow he took
sudden fancy of indulging in long chats
with me, much to the detriment of my daily
number Of MSS for you see was engaged,
and safe from all malicious comments. l
knew it was only as an excuse to be near
Alice, who was beginning to be nervous and
uneasy in his presence, starting every time
the door opened with hopeful blush and
beamiug eye. All this noted, but made no
comments, confident that Cupid would con-
quer in his own good time.
One afternoon, Allen surprised her by TAX
ing up stick, and rapidly setting up these
very plain words:
MAY | WALK HOME WITH YOU THIS EVENING?
DeN'T DENY ME; WILL CALL AT SIX.
| OOOlly uS pldCSu uOlO DelOIt
Alice, and, without word, went out Alice
looked panied as well as pleased; evidently
she doubted the propriety Of granting his re-
quest. While she was debating the question
in her own mind, the eyer-watchful and in.
quisitive assistant foreman came along, and
when his keen glance would have scanned its
contents, she quickly brushed the stick tC
the floor, scattering her note in every direc
tion, an irredeemable mass of 'PI
With provoking frown, the assistant
walked away, and l laughingly whispered
Surely, Alice, that is one way to dispose
of an invitation.
Il shall not go, she said thoughtflly; ii
would be neither wise nor prudent
l had my own opinion on the subject, ant
felt certain that she would change her mind
for Allen had tender eyes and a persuading
tongue, and, more than all, Alice LovEI
HIM.
At the appointed hour he came, but sht
brayely kept on with her work.
Come he said in not-to-be denied tone