The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-12-14

uohh stdlis anu was Soon eH TOutc 10 tue
store in which Oscar Howard was EN-
ployed,
On the street she met William Danton,
who drove up in flashing phaeton, drawn
by pair of sleek, dappled bays, that
seemed to scorn the earth upon which
their dainty feet rested Beside him sat
well-kept, liyeried eoachman, while all
the appointments of the equipage eyineed
not only the wealth, but good taste of the
owner.
But about him there was an air of reck-
lessness and iasouciance against which the
pure soul of Grace Stanley revolted.
Driving up to the pavement, he leaped
from his seat and stood beside her.
"0h dear, how lucky !" he exclaimed.
81 was just going up to take you out, but
- All | see. You are not dressed for
drive" casting his fastidious eyes down
upon her plain street dress, "nnd, upon
my soul, couldn't think of taking you
out without chance of better display than
this, laying his hand upon her modest,
neutral cloak, and glancing up at her
equally negative hat. "But, Grace" he
took occasion to whisper, 81 did very much
wish to see you this morning 1t is gett-
ing time that we should come to some sort
of decision in our a6dire de cor. The
old governor says | must get married; go
to the Sandwich Islands; do something
stop this lazy dogs life. | am spending
too much of his money etc.
He laughed, and, forgetting where he
was, caught up Grace's hand, much to her
disgust. With an effort she withdrew it,
and as calmly as possible.
Thanks" she said, "Mr Danton.
Were | ever so appropriately dressed, |
could not drive out with you this afternoon;
and as to our afaire de eour, you will have
a note from me tomorrow that will define
my position. l have put one in the post
since coming out. / wish you pleasant
drive. Good-bye' ~
And releasing her hand, she threw
thick veil over her face, and walked rapidly
until she reached the store. When she
entered, she sent to Oscar Howard notice
at once of her presence; but he being busy,
she sat beside one Of the counters until he
could come To her.
During this time she was busy with
thought. Her whole life had been sur
rounded with luxury, but nevertheless it
was one of dependence. Would she be
less dependent by giving up the luxury to
which she had been accustomed to, because
the wife of man wholly dependent upon
his salary as a merchants clerk
"Ies, she answered to herself; IA wife
should be help and not an incumbrance
to her husband, and a helpmate | am
resolved to be- and look of smiling
resolve oveBpread her features, as Oscar
Howard approaching recalled her from her
abstraction.
"What has brought you here this after
noon, Grace ?" he said tenderly, his quick
intuition not failing to note something
unusual in her manner.
"Are you ready, Oscar, to be married.
she asked, in whisper.
mot exactly, dearest, he whispered.
II have been trying to summon courage to
ask of Mr.. Lacy an increase of salary in
prospect; | wish to make you as comforta-
ble."
ave must get married at once" she
said, firmly, without regard to your sala-
ry.'
"Well, he answered, in return, to NOR
row, if need be-" feeling that she had
been impelled to her course by some I'M
questionable motive.
"Then tomorrow evening, at seven
O'Clock, at - Church, let it be. Bring
some of your friends as witnesses, and with
a single female friend | shall meet you.
Do not fail"
She extended her hand to him across
the counter, drew her veil over her face,
and with tears of mingled emotions brim-
ming her eyes, she passed out of the store,
and hastened her steps to the house Of her
friend, TO engage her services.
From this interview, Oscar Howard re-
tired to the private Office Of his employer.
He was pale and agitated, and thinking
the excellent young man was i'll, Mr.. Lacy
spnng up from his seat at his desk to offer
him glass of iced water. Declining the
courtesy and taking the seat indicated by
Mr.. Lacy, Howard said:
81 have come to speak to you upon some
very important business. | am about to
be married, sir, and"
"Ah," said his employer; "and-"
II must make bold to ask small in
crease of my wages"
Mr., Lacy's voice assumed tone of
calmness.
"Have you never saved anything from
your salary, Mr.. Howard ?"
''Not until the last six months, sir. Up
to that time | supported my invalid moth
er. Since her death, have managed to
save one-half every month"
"Indeed did not know you had a
mother"
"Yes, sir; and, could my individual wish
have been considered only, would have
kept her here for all time. But she was
terrible sufferer, and her release, though
it left my life very desolate, gave me a
measure of comfort"
"And who are you to marry?"
"Miss Stanley