The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-08-03
SOMETHING MORE THAN A CLERK
BY MATTE DYER BRITTs.

Laura Carlisle, stood where scarcely
q halt:dozon women in the room
would have dared to stand, directly
under the blaze of the chandelier, her
checks crimson with excitement her
eyes bright as the jewels vii b aash-
cd in her brown HAIR, her heavy gar
net satin robes sweep against the
simple muslin dress Of her cousin,
Katy Carlisle, who was as different
from her as the tender twilight from
the brilliant MONDAY.
Yet'sweet Katy, even in that SIM
ple dress, with eyes blue as the tur-
'auoise sash which bound her slender
waist, was no less attractive than her
naughty cousin. and SO thought Floyd
Laurence rs he stood chatting with
them. It was not lack Of beauty
which often cast Katy in the shade
hut Katy was poor, and golden bait
is soonest snapped at, you know!
"Oh; do not think SO much of q
good familyr' said Laura, who, hay
ing heard that Floyd Laurence be
long to one of the +. F.V's," desired
to create an impression. "Wlly, /
wouldn't look at q prince if lie did
not come of good stock" *. -, :
"Priuces are generally supposed to
do so, Laura" laughed Katy, mis-
Dhicvcous twinkle coming into her
eyes rs she met Loyd's glance. E.
."Oh, of course 1 mean if they could
do otherwise" said Laura, reddening
with veXation at her mistake. And
then. glad to change the conversation
she turned to Mary West and began
40 make inquiries about some beautl-
full lace she was wearing.
81 got it at Warburton's" said Mary
smiling. - a., .-s..-.
"Oh, must get some tomorrow, if
there is yard left" cried Laura. Il
shall be sure TO be there right away.
Yes, that is our waltz. Mr.. Laurence" ,"
and taking his arm, she moved grace
fully away.
aHem-ycs-they arc pretty girls
the sweetest girls saw tonight"
solili 1uizcd Floyd Laurence, in his
own room that night. "But I won
der if Miss Laura would smile so
sweerly if she thought I hadn't a
penny in pocket? Loves wings you
see, when tipped with gold, are beau
tifui to view! Confound the money
, It makes one suspicious of every
body But I do wish there was u
way to test the truth sometimes"
lie sighed, lit cigar, and sat down
10 smoke away his fancies. Suddenly
he spranG up. flung the cigar in the
CRATE, and began to pace the room.
"By jewel I've got an ideal" said
he. HMiss Laura is going to War bur
toms tomorrow; and Warburton hap.
pens to lie q friend Of mine-I think
III go there, too! He'll enter into
the thing, I'm sure; and I've a fancy
to.see if Floyd Laurence behind q
counter, and Floyd Laurence in Mrs
Towards ballroom, stand just the
samo in Miss Cariisle's estimation
Heigho!TI wonder if that pretty
blue-cyed cousin will come with herr
= After dinner next day, Miss Car
]isle's carriage stopped before War
burton's store, and The naughty beau
ty and cousin Katy entered the wide
doors, and crossed over to tho lace
= counter.
."Show me your finest Mechlin," be
gan Miss Laura, but stopped in utter
amazement, as she recognized in the
polite clerk her partner Of the night
before. "Mr. Laurence!" she exclaiu
ed. ,s.. :, .-. - e..
And Katy opening her, blue eyes
: verywide, repeated the exclamation
"Mr. Laurence, wc didn't expect t.
seeyou here!' -a.,s 5-.z.. ..-.,--s...
"Why not?" asked our hero, srnil
ingly.
ave were not aware-we did NO
know that you" began Miss Laura
haughtily, and Floyd finished nc