Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-05-20


them at the address his friend had SO reluct-
tantly named. johnson stared supercious-
ly.
Well, if I aint heavily bit as good as shop
boy !" he muttered between bis teeth But
Mr.. St. John was always hoddor than Dick 5
hatband"
"What are you going to do with me, Tai
bot ?" asked Wyman, as his friend drew in
front of the tawdrily-dressei windows Of the
sccond-rate trimming store.
"Iam going to send you to the park for
drivc-you look as if you were in the first
stages of galloping consumption
Wyman smiled sadly.
"You are very kind but it is quite impossi-
bic, Talbot"
Yet St. John knew in The very tones Of his
voice how the poor yonns man yearncd after
that forbidden draught of sunshine aud eShil-
aratng air and delicious arrowy motion. He
made no answer but threw the rcins to John
son and walked boldly into the store.
"Quite out of the question, sir-qnite,' .
said the book-uosed proprietor Of poor Grant
Wyman's time. Couldn't spare one Of our
young men, not Queen Victoria was to come
here after hints entirely against the
rules"
Talbot St. John spoke to him in low voice
The hot -blooded young Southcrner was accus-
toned to having bis own way-and intended
to make no exception in this instance. And
the propretor's face frightened in the gleam
of golden reason
Certainly, sis-by all means, II Mr.. Wy
man wishes to be absent an hour or two"
"Hold your tongueT p interrupted st. John,
stormily. "Wyman must know nothing of
our little business transaction. shall take
his place behind your counter, il you please y
The hook-noscd man of ribbons bowed and
rubbed his hands fawningly. Grant Wyman
could scarcely believe bis own eyes when he
saw young fellow of six feet two standing
behind the counter, as calmly complaccnt 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 lutier Of fur robes
and Ginning of bells and springing Of horses
that made him almost fancy himself among
the delusive shadowings of delightful dream.
And how Jared Talbot st. John? "Prctty
well, considering" as the ladies say. Fortu-
nately, it was carly in tho day, and beyond a
few bargains in black pins, staylacOs and per-
fumed soaps, he had very little to do.
Presently, however, the shop, began to fll
apace-tradc grew brisker, and Mr. St. John
found plentiful use for all the quautum of
business talent that he possessed.
Have you any crochct-cotto ?"
Down came half a-dozen boxes Of tape about
Mr.. St. Johns cars-tbe natural consequence
of the stare he gave on hearing the sweet, IA
miliar sound of CeciIc IIorner's voice.
81 don't know-that is, I'll sec-1Iiss
Horncrp
Cecic opened wide her beautiful brown eyes.
Mr.. st. JohnP
And Mary-looting very daisy-likc in a
pink bonnet, with white nowcrs-echoed the
surprised exclamation.
"Why, Mr. John didn't know"
She stopped short, colorng as pink as her
bonnet.
1--WE did not know that you occupied this
station in life, said Cecile, haughtily finishing
her cousins incompleted sentence. Thank
you-I don't care about the cotton y
And Miss Homer swept out Of the lowceiled
little store, dragging Mary with her.
"The idea !" she scornfully exclaimed when
they were once more in the street " How dar-
ed Mrs. Emmors deceive us so To allow INC
to dance with common clerk"
ale is very gcntemanly, Cccilc,' mcekly
interposed Mary.
Gentlcmanly An-an individual who
sells pins and needles-a clerk "
"But, Cecile, why can't clerk be gentle
man !"
Mary" exclaimed Cecilc, Indignantly,
" you haven't the spirit Of ayl DO believe
you like Mr. St. John now just as well as
when you believed him the scion of an old
Virginia family"
"Why shouldn't 2" meekly asked Mary.
"I think a clerk who sells pins and needles
quite as good as .yirginian."
"Wcll" said Cecilc, throwing volumes Of
scorn into one brief mouosyllable. / for one
shall not recognize him in future. You can
do as you like"
And Mary walked by her stately cousins
side, n,arveled at the strange rules and regu-
lations of the arbitrary thing called society
and rejoiced that she was not bound TO swear
allegiance to its dictates.
~ dare say my tastes are very common,
thought meek Mary, butt can't help it"
"Cecile, whispered Mary, that same even
ing in her cousins car, surely, surely, this is
Mr. ST. John"
Cecilo looked in The direction Of hcr cousins
eyes, out beyond the maze of waltzing couples
to the tall figure advancing towards them.
"The assurance of the man" she exclaimed
contemptuously. "He never will dare to
speak to me-"
But he did dare, holding out a frank hand
J l. Al =. -. o,oo.,,,o1 ~ eos of o,raafip r