Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-02-02
Mile Days Fortune.


healthy, handsome youth, his clear blue
eyes and purely tinted skin showing very
cOnclusively that his habits were yirtuOuSly
regular.
1t was towards the close of the day, and
Harry was busily engaged in balancing his
accounts. The only ether occupant OF the
counting room was Peter Phipps, the de-
livery clerk. Peter was an old man-SiXty
at least-and had been in the employ of the
house for many years. He was broken in
health, but was able to keep an ac-
count Of goods as they were delivered, for
which trifing service he received sufficient
for his support.
Harry had just closed his ledger when
Jasper Groome entered the Office. Jasper
was Harry's senior by two or three years,
and held limited interest in a small house
near by. lie was well and fashionably
dressed, and might he accepted as 4 fash
iOnable man.
Harry, my son, have you heard the
news ~ cried the new conner, tapping his
friend upon the shoulder.
i have heard nothing wonderful, Jasper.
Is gold up or down."
"a certain kind OF gold Is high up
Haven't you heard of the stroke Of fortune
which has fallen to Millie Day ?''
At the mention of that name Harry Cow
per caught his breath, and quick flush
was VlSIOle upon his clear cheek.
81 have not heard" he said.
"DOnt you remember an uncle of Mil
lies who was sick here i'll New York few
years ago, and whom she nuISed 50 tender
ly.'
. Mr.. Snyder her mothers brother YOU
mean ?'
YES"
:" l remember him very well, for passed
a great many evenings very pleasantly i'll
his company"
We'll" pursued Jasper, old Snyder, it
seems, was one of the lucky ones i'll Chica-
go land. About two months ago he died
without chick or child and his attorney
has been on here TO INFORM Miss DIOllie
Day that she ia sole heiress of his whole
| fortune, Il is somewhere in the neghbOr-
, hood OF half a million. There is over two
| hundred thousand in bank. What dye
think Of that old fellow ,"
Harry Cowper shrank like one who had
received blow. lie was silent and thoZ49ht-
fill.
How, my boy !-dcp,, 70 psease yon ~
demanded JasI1zI. wish show of sur
! prise,
harry rallied ana answered, with shake
! OF the head -
No, Jasper, am sorry for this
! Sorry? And wherefore? / thought
! you had particular regard for the lady"
COWper looked up, and family SQaied. 1t
was smile, but there was. PAIN IN it:
"Jasper," he said seriously and earnest
ly, as one SPEAKS II confidence to a dear
/ friend i 4oSa MiEie Day, though have
nevSE spoken to her as lover. / have been
waiting until could insure her home if
! she accepted my proflered hand. AS you
+ know, l have only 4 salary to depend upon,
! and portion of that is set apart fcr the
maintenance and education of LAY sister,
! '' Are you serious ?" asked Groome.-
! "Will the coming o4 this fortune deter YOU
from pressing your suit?
Yes =
''But, man alive. Is not the prize
: worth more than ever before? If Millie
! Day was worth winning when she had
! hardly dollar of her own, what must she
+, be now 20
"She can be no more to me AoW,'' re-
piled Harry. at was Mile Day that
loved-Milie Day that / love Still-and no
amount of worldly wealth can add to the
price ! WQnM have set upon her love in re-
tuEn, But that is past. Had she remained
poor had hoped ere long to have been
able to offer her a hOme-a home where
she could help ME to find joy and comfort y
''And do you mean to say, Harry, that
you give her up?'
''She is not mine to give up
II dare not press it. Atte& SO long a
time my psst silence Night be misconstrued
and my claim Be. regarded as mercenary.'
''By JoYc, Old fellow she'll make rich
catch for somebody
EsNo richer than before said Harry with
solemn seriousness. 81 tell you, Jasper
that for the true man, seeking a true wife
Nlillie Day, with only her truth and hel
goodness for her own dover, would be q
priceless boon. / should esteem it the
richest gift this side Of heaven. ! think il
| had her for my companion should chal
lenge the world to exceed my happiness
''Harry you're = 9oot"'
"'Thank ycu."
''If yoa are TO step out, shall go in, ant
try 10 win
Harry WINGED, but betrayed no ill-feel
ing.
''You are your own master, Jasper
81 shan't be rivaling you?"
"No. If NIillie can love you, then il /
proved that she has not loved me-"
"Then count me i'll on the race for tn
heiress. BY JOve l will make the at
tack this very night. shaA meet her a
> Darwin's. Are you gong?'
''NO, L don't belong to that set. Yol
: forgot that am only bOok-keeper."
'!Gos, l remember. But you'll get int
house one Of these days. You'll find
pleasant. The title of Merchant gives
, fellow lift in society, but / amt vain.
you'll go with me I'll Introduce you /
: Darwn's.''
mo
= "Then I'll go alone and be sure L
q make love, bold and strong, to Miss Mi
= dred Day.
y Zone word" said Harry, as his frien
! was upon the point OF departing. Thel
) was pain mark upon his face, and h
v lips Quivercd; but he spoke calmly, thoue
! with palpable effort s.YOu will seek
- win the love of Mile Day. You may sll
II cred. II such shOula be the result, JaSpe
Il Il pray you be true and faithful: for she
~ an angel and is worthy OF ali love NJ
4 honor
-, "Neyer fear, old fellow. III make her
y good husband if l win her. Half III
40 lion. ZOunds! Isn't that worth workil
for ~
And with this Jasper Groome trmn
- from the office, and Harry Cowper bow
O his head upon the edge of his desk.
. "Shall put up the books, Mr.. Cowper
70 Harry looked up, and saw the old d
" livery clerk,
~, ru "'Ah,-you here, Phipps?"
10 Ie eyes, I've been copying permits. Sh
~ put the books in the safe p
lr "Yes,-you may, if you please. / mi
- - 60 round and call for my sister OH my Vi
- q home
VI And Harry Cow per:left the store. Al
that night, when he was alone i'll his chal
dc Der, his thoughts were sad and painful.
ed had loved Millie Day long, long time :
. but lie had not yet ventured to speak of
OF love for reasons already made known. =
W now change had come over the spirit
Ig- his dream. lie asked hipieh ii he had {
cided rightly, and hia own sense Of man