Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-08-22

nicely of touch that detected the slight
est inequalities of surface even in pol
ished wood, and her. eye was at once
quick and correct. Little by little, al
most unconsciously, John Somerville
trusted Nellie with much of the de-
cision in purchases, and the book-keep-
ing was often in her care for weeks to-
gether, when there was a pressure Of
work. Mrs. Somerville whined and
fretted over the strangely masculine
tastes of her child, but her father be-
came more and more averse to parting
with her in business hours.
Two years after Nellie returned from
school, and just after her twenty-iirst
birthday, she started one morning, as
seen in the opening of my story, to look
at some patterns to be sent for decision.
Such matters were often entrusted en-
tirely to her judgment, so she was not
surprised to find her father had gone
out, leaving the decision to her. But
after she had given the order, had an
swered lot of letters lying upon the
desk, had wandered all over the build
ing and returned again to the office, she
was surprised at her fathers long all
sence.
One of the foreman, in the finishing
department. coming to the Office for
some last orders about the shipment of
some goods, said that Mr.. Somerville
had appointed to meet him there at
noon, and the proprietor of Somerville
T. Sons frame factory was a man of rig
id punctuality.
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes Stephen
Holton walked into the Office, watching
Nellie's busy hand as she folded, sealed
and directed a lot of circulars, and think
ing that never had he seen face so fair.
or heard voice so clear and musical
as Nellie Somerville's. But as the clock
struck the half-hour, Nellie looked up
with q startled face.
Something has happened, Stephen"
she said; "my father is never half an
hour behind time. Send some one to
look for him."
"The men are all at dinner, Miss
Nellie. will go myself"
But even as he spoke, a messenger
hurriedly entered the office, saying:
"Mr. Somerville was thrown from his
horse while on his way here from the
village, and is badly injured"
"Where?" broke from Nellies white
lips.
eve took him home, and he asked
me to come here for YOU"
Even in her horror and grief, Nellie
retained some presence of mind. Look
ing into Stephen Holton's grave, SYM
pathizing face, she said:
"You will take charge here until you
hear from my father. will be re-
sponsible."
Thank you," he said, deeply moved
by her confidence in him at such
time. 81 will try to do my duty"
~ am sure of that" she answered,
and extended her hand.
Two minutes later she was hurrying
homeward. None too soon was her
clear head and quiet resolution brought
to bear upon the excited household.
Her mother was in Mysteries, the SER
wants bustlins here and there, purpose
less and terrified, and her father lying
upon the bed in the hands of surgeon
and two gentleman who had assisted
in bringing him home.
There was plenty to do. In less
time than would have seemed possible,
the servants were in their places, Mrs.
Somerville quieted, and Nellie, white
as sheet, but perfectly tranquil, ac-
lively engaged in waiting upon the sur
geon.
The weary hours that followed taxed
overy nerve of the girls frame, but she
bore the strain bravely; and when the
surgeon led her to the drawing room,
he felt deep respect for the girl who
had SO nobly crushed back all selfish
sorrow to aid her father in his agony.
Giving her a glass of water, and
making her rest quietly for few min
utes, he watched her face till the drawn
rigidity of every feature relaxed, and
the strained eyes looked piteously into
his own.
"That is BETTER" he said kindly,
" You may cry now"
Nellie's lip quivered.
EYou have sOmeth;ur to toll meS"