The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-10-10

gentle sympathy and evident interest
He told her of his boyhood with veal
Thy father. who died suddenly, leaving
nothing of onre handsome fortune; of
his mo tifer WHO sank soen after under
the pressure sorrow and poverty; Of
his own posi.iontas, Q CLERK. in "a whole
sale house upon a small salary.
f Often he told her of the dreams his
fathers death had scattered; the hope of
being great lawyer, or an author, NOV
ing the world by his pen. 81 81 .sa.z
Yet ahe was bravely cheerful, hoping
Ito conquer fortune by perseverance and
energy. s7sg naq ~, 1rrre
Not until they were fast friends did he
tell her all this, and Q little later he told
her of new dream, new hope, a love
death only could destroy. .i-l..
I "Will you let me take hack to my
drudgery the hope that if lean conquer
fortune you will come to share it.?'' he
asked. "Will you be my wife, love, in
that future when hope to gather about
me at leas. comfort for a home p m
He had wooed her in a straight for
ward, manly fashion, and she was not
surprised. She put her hand in his prom
ising all he asked
He went back to his desk in the au
tumn, but only week later was offered
better position in the counting house
of the merchant, John Burnette. .....
| at is so strange" he wrote to May
"Mr. Burnette himself seems so interes-
tied in me,though ! am an entire stranger
to him; he watches me and promotes
me rapidly, seemingly pleased with all ]
do, Darling, if this continues. our home
will soon be secure" - '--
1t did continue. =
1 Mr., Burnette, man Of grave, rcserv-
ed presence, seemed inspired by some
deep interest in his new clerk; he watch.
ed him keenly, moving him from depart
ment to department in his vast business
till he had some insight into every
branch; he gave him confidential bust
ness to transact and gave him his conf
dence.
| And Lucien, ever working for May
strove to meet every. demand made upor
his lbrains and hands, giving every new
branch Of business the closest attention,
and straiDing every power to repay faith
fully the confidence reposed in him, p,
yNeally two years had passed, wher
one morning Mr Brunette, called Lucier
into his private office, closing the dool
after him sew a,. ~.,.,.. .aS.
81 am about 10 make strange disclo
sure to vou,' he said, eravey. i,and yov
must weigh we'll what say to you eUf
to this time you have known me only as
business man; to-day speak to you
las friend to friend. | am a itch man,
but 1 have few friends, Lucien Gaylord
shall l count you as one y }fs,
sYou honor me- he faltered, oyor.
whelmed with surprise. ~
lama father" Mr.. Burnette said
"and my only child is daughter, whose
future has been to me subject of deep
prayerful anxiety; have feared thai
when die the wealth / leave would
make her.the wife of some plausible for
tune hunter ) / have feared that my bu
siness would fall to ruin in incompetent
hands, Often have hoped to meet, al
some lime, an honorable, upright man
20 whom / could teach the secret of my
success, and who might succeed to my
business! / have prayed that when die
might leave my child under the pro
tecting care of a husband who had no'
sought her for her wealth, a man of pure
heart and firm principle. Lucien Gay
llord, / have found the man sought; to
day you will dine with me, and he intro
duced to Miss Barnette.' AE9f We,
"I?rV. Z II arc-r,1 -e4-
The cry broke from Lucien's lips ir
such utter amazemsnt that he though
he must dream or that his employer was
insane. oTa il. .gieI ii .rQn.tsls tesucl
1 "You!" was the quiet answer. q
"But it is all impossible" Iucien said
slowly regaining his selfpossession. ~.
sImpossiblei? Why 80, if / am vii
i ling 2'immlJ -marJ nI5dlge- 4sj =
| lttYoua will think me eungrateful, pre-
sumptous, but cannot accede to you
noble, generous plan.a Faithful service
true friendship, / can give you gladly
but you must seek another heir, another
son-in-law; / am not free,'' gaa yr.,y
| l''You refuse my daughter?' fr3 {
81 have given my love and won :
heart l could never betray." mr4s IS
"May ask where r ~ 4a n ,.,f {
btMy promised wife is no heiress, bu
a simple,country, maiden, lovely and gen
tle.1aI will not weary you, sir, with /,
lovers praise, but you will let me sa,
that / have worked for two years will
the hope of winning some position tha
will enable me to offer a home to my
wife. II you will put me in such a stu
alton you will win my warmest graft
tude, but / must not think again of th
dazzling offer you have made me-"
"You refuse to be my son,in-law-m,
heir ?nspsa jI He,ii.j. ~
~ refuse any offer that makes me
traitor to a pure heart that trusts me
O "It makes it harder to give yousuI
but, if l must, at least accept my invita-
ton to dinner and my friendship" Ell
sit'Gladly, gratefully replied Lucie
Gaylord.
sat six clock, then, L shall expeo
you"a 7g p de'f.af ,i.s.. sal .se;laa
t Was he awake2 sD-.a4s .8,isi{a.
aiLucien asked himself the questio
j more than once as he pored over bis lee
e gers, added long columns of figures, an
wrote business letters. Is. 5s. .fii -.
. siHad John Burnette really made hir
the magnificent proposals still lingerip
in his ears :? '' 10 }ir s.
| Were they both insane2 sAi 81
5 His head was still whirling as
f dressed himself and walked to the splel
Y did d,mansionathe rich m marchaut called h
n home. 4 trb.T =. i 8il< .1e. r.. ,sg.-
! Every luxury money could comman
fmethis eyes in the adornment of tt
q drawing.room. ,1F q. aJri 2agJ -
e % Pictures of priceless value hung upo
9 the walls. rare statuary cleaned again
: velvet curtains; the visitors feet san
: deep in therichest carpets; theiodors
I choice exotics filled the air.. a yuqal
: aa Had all this really been placed With
his grasp? ii9d sliji7w llha.