Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-08-05
Jack Walters Fortune.

NOBODY saw JACK waiter goou traiOs
with SO clear vision as little Atty |
Brown. Jack was clerk in great |
dry goods establishment of Dorset &
Drew. He was somewhat vain of his |
really handsome face, and trihe fop-
pish, but the ground of his character
was laid in good true colors, warranted
to wear. Jack was poor, but ambitious
and capable-so much so that the firm
in whose employ he was were consider
ing whether they should not raise his
salary and send him to travel for their
house. Jack got an inkling Of their in
tentions, but discretely kept it to him.
self.
AS a matter Of course, Jack having
reached the mature age Of twenty-five,
was in love with fair lady. He had
first seen her at the store, and his heart
was at once taken captive in the meshes
of her golden hair.
Anne Rathburn was very lovely
Everybody said so, and rightly. But
she was called firt by sober minded
people, and the young men were rather
afraid Of her. Those who enjoyed her
confidence knew that she was waiting
for golden prize, and smiled at poor
Jacks infatuation.
Miss Rathburn's father was head
book-keeper at Dorset & Drew's, and by
no means rich man. 1t was his wife
who kept the establishment going. She
had come into possession of small for
tune just as Anne was blooming into
beautiful womanhood, and consequently
the girl was little spoiled. The FAM
lily lived in elegant style, kept a pony
chaise, and Anne was gratifed in all
her whims, for she was the idol of both
her parents.
Jack had won upon the affections of
the old book-keeper, not for selfish ends
only-for there was something about the
meek, thin-faced, aristocratic looking
old gentleman that encouraged friendli-
ness, and Jack had always liked him.
So occasionally the young man was In
vited to the elegant residence of the
Rathburns, and in time found himself
on somewhat intimate footing with
the different members of the family.
Atty Brown was a poor relative who
mended Anne's stockings, and aided that
lazy young beauty in divers ways for
her board and clothes. She was a
cousin on the fathers side, with nothing
to distinguish her from ordinary young
ladydom but pair of glorious melting
hazel eyes, fringed by the longest. thick
est lashes that were ever seen. Mrs.
Rathburn, like her husband. was tall
and slim, and wore fashionable caps
and a great quantity of false hair. She
had once been the possessor of consider
able beauty, but now people called her
only fne-looking. If she had been
merely the poor book keepers wife with
out the fortune, | doubt if she would
!. have been considered even that.
These, with bachelor uncle, whose
chief amusement was showing wonder.
full tricks with cards and telling for
tunes, made the full quota of the book.
keeper family, among whom Jack found
himself placed on terms of the most de-
lightful intimacy.
1t was the first day of April, AM
Anne sat listless looking over some pic
,, lures, Atty Brown knitting a pretty tri
Ae for her cousin, on the opposite sid,
D of the table, when Hetty Rogers dropped
a in upon them. Hetty was sleek, 81,
q little brunette, who always reminded on
of a purring cat.
. ''Girls, do you know what Lowell,
, day it is ?" exclaimed Het, loosenin,
r her dainty furs at the neck as she seate'
: herself. Didn't | see Jack Walter
+ ! over here last night ?' she went on witt
smooth little purr. IL know his pro
! file. Is that why you like him Anne
Y It's just perfect
n Il like him Nonsense p said Anne
: with a laugh which was almost con
i temptuous. ''He is a very pleasan
d young gentleman, handy to have round
as mama says does all ones errand
|, dutifully, and is a splendid escort, wit
= his Greek face and graceful manners
= But must one be reported engaged be
d cause one has particular friend ?o
e Hetty laughed.
IS People will talk, you know" sh
said.
n 'sWhy, he's as poor as church mouse,
= continued Anne. "Do you think coul
v marry poor man ? Never!''
d Atty lifted her great hazel eyes in a
1t tonishment. She had more than su
sr pected that her cousin did love Jack
> and in his face had she not read his al
;, sorbing passion?
" "See how innocently surprised A
ly pretends to be- laughed Anne, a fail
Id crimson tinge creeping over the marb
p p like beauty of her skin. 81 half belize
ke he is her hero. She is a perfect lit
in mouse when he is here
But don't you really like him, Anne