Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-11-04
But his partners last words had touched
his pride, and summoning all his resolution,
he onened Tho door and walk d ont

y y
occupant, who did not lift her head at b
approach.
| After speaking to clerk at the furtbt
end of the room, he walked slowly back
where the young lady sat, and who, as i
paused by the desk, raised pair of so
blue eyes, shooting swift, bewilderin
glance in Smiths that felt to the toes of hi
boots
'Miss-Miss' stammered
MY name is Georgiana, said the youn
lady, smiling Some call me George, 70
short
"Well, Miss George-Georgiana. IN
afraid that yoH find your situation rattle
unpleasant
Not Mt all, sir. On the contrary, I fine
it very pleasant and comfortable.
| 'Ahem but fear that you will b.
hardly equal to the discharge Of its duties.
L hope not. If you will run your cy,
over this balance sheet, you will find every
thing correct
With the desperate hope that there would
be something anliss, Smith done SO, but wai
disappointed.
4 hope you have no fault to find Z? said
the new clerk, a little anxiously, on perceiv
ing that he hesitated.
You are woman
Here, whether abashed by the sudden
display of dimples in the pink cheeks, that
grew still more pink at this rather unneces
sary assertion, Smith came to an abrupt
pause.
AT this, tho smiling fase settled into an
expression Of demure gravity.
I must plead guilty to the charge of be-
ing q woman. But thought it may be a
misfortune, it can scarcely be called fault
at any rate, it is one for which I am not
answerable p
you misunderstood me, ma'am What
I meant to say was that there are certain
duties connected with your office, such as
opening the store. going to the post-efioe,
which you cannot very we'll perform
I assure you, sir, that [ shall like moth
ing better than an occasional walk in the
open air. And as to opening the door, and
sweeping and dusting I don't know why it
should be harder to perform that Office for a
store than for house
i claim no consideration for my sex
resumed the young lady, casting slightly
reproachful glance at the perplexcd counte-
nance of her employer, but ask. in com
mon justice, if I perform my duties satisfac-
torially, that you will not discharge me sim
ply because I am acomanP
Muttering a disclaimer Of some kind, he
hardly knew what, Smith beat sudden re-
treat to his own room, assuming bold front
as he met his partners inquiring eye, but
with an inward consciousness that he had
been totally routed by the enemy.
Going 2 said Jenkins, with provoking
nonchalance
well, 10, not today. What the ID
are you grinning at? 2
oh, nothing othtng at all, responded
jenkins, throwing himself back in his chair
and regarding intontly fly upon the cell
ing.
What was going to remark was re
sumed Smith, with quite an unnecessary
assumption OF dignity, that have conclu-
ded to let the young lady remain until
until | can find some situation for her more
in accordance with her sex
Very kind and eonsderatc Of you, said
jenkins, dryly: especially taking into
view that she does her work better than any
clerk we ever hal, and for less pay, too. :"
Smith was by no means the ogre he seem
ed Aside from his prejudice, he was a
sensible, kind hearted man Georgiana
was not called upon to open the store or run
errands, though she offered to do both
Curio S to relate, as days and weeks
passed. Smiths repugnance to her presence
not only vanished with them, but he began
to regard it with positive pleasure.
He used often to look through the lass
door watching the graceful poise of the head
and the motions of the def little fingers as
they glided over the paper Until at last
curious fancies seemed to creep through his
brain, and he began to indulge in glowing
dreams of how wonderfully such little
woman as that would brighten up his lonely
and cheerless home.
But he determined to proceed cautiously.
He had it. His housekeeper was about to
leave, he would offer Miss Gardner the stu
ation-and then?
Having formed this resolution, his next
step was to request the young lady's pres
enee in his private Office, summons that
was promptly obeyed.
Miss Gardner, don't you think the stu
alton of housekeeper in quiet home, like
mine for instance, would be preferable to
your situation here?'
Perhaps, in some respects it might said
Georgiana, coloring at this abrupt inquiry
and the look that accompanied it
Was the old gentleman about to make hel
an offer ?
But his next words relieved her Of hi
apprehension
my housckeeper is soon to leave me, ant
should be very glad to have you supply
her place.
Georgiana's cheeks grew very red, an'
her mouth dimpled the smiles thas sh
strove vainly to suppress.
You are very kind, sir, but the fact, i
Mr. jenkins has spoken to me FIRST
'Mr. Jenkins?
Yes, sir. He asked RE to DO his house
keeper, and I told him that would
But, my child, Mr., Jenkins is a youn|
man-it would not be proper for you
keep house for him. Now, with me it
different
AS Georgiana inwardly contrasted til
two, she mentally agreed with him. I
fact, there was all the difference in th
world to her.
But he asked me to be his wife as we
as housekoepor.'
'O-o-oh,'
Smiths first feeling was that of inten'
establishment, his next, of quite as stron
chagrin. But it all ended in an emotie
of thankfulness that he had not committe
himself,
But his disappointment could not ha'
ranked very deep, for he attended tt
Wedding; viewing, with smiling tranquilit
IL