Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-08-23

and sprlnSlng horses that made hlm
almost fancy himself among the delu-
sive shadowings of a delightful dream.
And how Jared Talbot st. John?
pretty well, 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 little to do. Pres
emily, however the shop began to fiji
apace-trade grew brisker and, Mr.. St.
John found plentiful use for all the
quantum of business talent that he
possessed.
''Have you any crochet-cotton?
Down came half dozen boxes of
tape about Mr.. St. Johns ears-the
natural consequence of the start he
gave on hearing the sweet, familiar
sound of Cecile Horner's voice.
81 don't know-that is, I'll sec
Miss Horner Cecile opened wide
her beautiful brown eyes.
s'Mr. St. John p And Mary-look-
ing very daisy-ike in a pink bonnot,
with white fowers-echoed the sur
prised exclamation.
"Why Mr.. st. John! didn't know
-" She stopped short, coloring as
pink as her bonnet.
eve did not know that you occupi
ed this situation in life, said Cecile,
haughtily finishing her cousins incom-
pleted sentence. ''Thank you'll don't
care about the cotton % And Miss
Horner swept out of the low-ceiled lit
tie store, dragging Mary with her.
"The idea % she exclaimed, when
they were once more in the street.
''How dare Mr.. Emmons deceive US so
To allow me to dance with a common
clerk ~
''He is very gentlemanly, Cecile,"
meekly interposed Mary.
"Gentlemanly! an---an individual
who sells pins and needles--a clerk p
''but, Cecile, why can't a clerk be a
gcntleman?'
''Mary," exclaimed Cecile. indig-
nantly, ''you havn't the spirit of afy
l do believe you like Mr.. St. John now
just as well as when you believed him
the scion of an old Virginia family p
"Why shouldn't T. meekly asked
Mary. 81 think clerk who sells pins
and needles quite as good as a Vir-
ginian.'
"WeH ~ said Cecile, throwing vol
umes of scorn into one brief monosyl-
liable. Il for one shall not recognize
him in the future. You can do as you
like
And Mary walking by her stately
cousins side marvele1 at the strange
rules and regulations of that arbitrary
thing called society, and rejoiced
that she was not bound to swear allie
glance to its dictates.
Il dare say my tastes are very COM
mon,' thought May. "But---I can't
help it.
"Cecile," whispered Mary, that same
evening in her cousins ear, ''surely,
that 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-
yancing towards them.
"The assurance of the man," she
exclaimed contemptuously. "He never
will dare speak to me-
But he did dare, holding OUT frank
hand as he spoke the stereotyped phra-
ses of greeting.
Cecile Horner looked him full in the
eyes with glance that might have
frozen him, and turned away without
replying with word or syllable. Tai
bot St. John arched his eyebrows a
little and smiled. Mary spoke up in
the impulses of the moment.
"Mr. St. John, please don think l
feel as Cecile does. Please shake hands
with me 2"
He held the soft little hand in his
one moment, With singular thrill in
his breast.
care you unconventional enough to
recognize the clerk, Miss Homer? ?"
81 ike goa Mr.. St. john" said Ma
ry, innocently. Il don't care whether
you are clerk or not
His eyes frightened.
''You like me, Mary. Is there no
other word for my ears, Marydarling
Il don't dare to ask if you Tore me !?
Through the din of harp and violin