Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-09-07
@IRANsIENT BILLs-cAgH.
Frank Evans could scarCely help smiling al


pairing to close the Office. said Minnie star
ting nerVOusly TO her feet 81 must. gO--
somewhere"
"Miss Harlan" said Frank. Quietly, ..my
home is poor ons-T am only Eve hum
dred dollar clerk-but ]. am sure mother will
receive you under her roof for day or two.
if yOu can trust me ?"
'.Trust you ?" Minnie looked at him
through violet eyes obscured in tears. 'sOh,
sir, should be SO thankful"
%
"HOw late yOu are, Frank! Here-givs
me your overcoat-it is all powdered with
snow, and"
Blu. Frank interrupted his bustliug, cherry
checked little mother she stood ON tiptoe
TO take off his outer wrsppings.
"Hush, mother, there is u young lady down
stairs"
ga young lsdy2"
"Yes, mother; expressed on from Iowa TO
old Harrington, the rich merchant. He sailed
for Europe this morning, and she is left en>
tirely alone. Mother, she looks like poor
Blanche, and Lknew yOu wonldn'trefnse her
corner here until she could fad something
to do"
Mrs Evans went to the door, and called
cheerfully out:
"Come up stairs, my dear you're as wells
come as the flowers 10 May Frank you did
quite right you always do"
The days and weeks passed ON, and still
Minnie Harlan remained an inmate of Mrs,
Evans humble dwelling.
''It seems just as though'sb had taken our
dead BiauChe's place" /" said the cosy little wide
ow, land slie is so useful about the house.
don't know hoy 1 ever managed without herr
"Now, Minnie, you are not in earnest about
leaving us tomorrow Z"
al must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think
| have been hero two months tomorrow, aud
the situation is advantageous"
"Very we'll ] shall tell Frank how OBJ.
stinate you are"
dearest Mrs. Evans. please dOnt. Keep
my secret"
"What secret is that is to be 80 religiously
kept ?" asked Mr. Frank Evens, coolIy walks
ing into the midst of the discussion with his
dark hair tossed about by the wind, aud his
brown eyes sparkling archly.
Secret !" repeated Mrs. Evans. energeti-
cally wiping her dim spectscles why Mins
ME ia determined to leave US Tomorrow"
"Minuiev'
81 must, Frank have no right further
to trespass on your kindness"
"No right, eh Z Minnie, do you know tho
old house has been q different house since you
came into it \? Do you suppose We want to
leave Snr little sunbeam 2"
Minnie smiled sadly, but her hfnd felt very
cold aud passive in Franks warm grasp.
you'll stay, Minnie 7"
''Then you must be made to stay" said
Frank. "Ive. missed something of great
vsIuo lately, and hereby arrest you on sus-
picion of the theft"
HNIissed somethinp 7'
Minnie rose, turning red and whitO BY
"ob, Frank, you can never suspect me
"But do suspect you. In fact, am quite
sure that tho article is iu your possession:
"The article! y
"My heart, Miss Minnie !! Now look here
Il know nm very young and very poor, but
I love you Minnie Harlan, and will be
good and true husband to you. Stay and bO
my little wife 2"
So Minnie Harlan, instead of going out as
a governcss. according to the programme, mar
ried the dark haired young clerk in EllisOn's
EXPRESS Office.
They were very quietly married. carly In
the morning, and Frank took Minnie home to
his mother, and then went calmly about his
business in the wire cago, under the gaslighta.
"Evans!"
"Ycs sir"
Frank, with his pen behind bis car as Of
yore. quietly obeyed tho behests of the gray
haired official
do you remember the young woman who
was expressed on from Iowa, two months
since p
Yes. sir-I remember her"
A tall. silvOs-baired gentleman hero inter.
posed, with eager quickness:
"Where is che am her uncle. Walter
Harrington. had just returned from Paris.
when the news Of her arrival reached mo.
want her, she is the only living relative left
me"
"Ah but. sir, yOu can't have her," said
Frank.
"Csu't have her? What do you mean p.
Has anything happened p
'Yes, sir; something has happened. Miss
Harlan was married to me this morning"
Walter Harrington stared.
"Take me to her; can't be parted from
my only living relative By mere Whim."
IL wonder if he calls the marriage service
and wedding ring mere whims." Frank
thought; but he obeyed in silence.
"Minpie," said the old man, in faltering
accents, you will come to me, and be tho
daughter Of my old age? am rich. Min.
ME, and you are the only relative have in,
the world -
But Minnie stole her hand through her
husbands arm.
Dearest uncle lie was kind to me when
WAS most deso'ate and alone. cannot leave
my husband, Uncle Walter-I love him !"
''Theu you must both OF you come and b
my children, said the old msn, doggedly.
.'aDd you NUT come now, for the great house
is as lonely as tomb"
Frank Evans is an express clerk no longer,
and pretty Minnie moves in velvet and dia'
monds, but they are quite as happy a. they