The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-09-01

tumn, but only week later was offered
a better position in the counting-house
Of the great merchant prince, John
Brunette.
ut is 90 strange he wrote to May,
"Mr. Brunette himself seems interested
in me, though am an entire stranger
TO him. He watches me and pro
notes me rapidly, seemingly pleased
with all I do. Darling, it this con-
tinucs our home will soon be secure
1t did continue. Mr.. Burnette. a
man of grave. reserved presence,
seemed inspired by some deep interest
in his new clerk. He watched him
keenly, moving him from department
to department in his vast business, till
he had some insight into every branch.
He gave him confidential business to
transact, and put him in his counting
house.
And Lucien, working ever for May,
strove to meet every demand made
upon his brains and hands, giving
every new branch Of the business the
closest attention and straining every
power to repay faithfully the conf
dence reposed in him.
Nearly two years had passed, when
one morning Mr.. Brunette called Lu-
Glen into his private Office, closing the
door after him.
II am about to make a strange dis
closure to you,' he said gravely, land
you must weigh well what l say to you.
Up to this time you have known me
only as business man I; to-day / speak
to you as friend to friend. l am a
rich man, but ! have few friends, Lu-
clan Gaylord. Shall I count you as
one y
"You honor me- he faltered, over
whelmed with surprise.
81 am a father Mr.. Brunette said,
"an1 my only child is daughter,
whose future has been to me subject
of deep, prayerful anxiety. 1 have
feared that when l die, the wealth j
leave would make her the wife Of some
plausible fortune-hunter. l have feared
that my business would fall to ruin in
incompetent hands. Often / have
hoped to meet, at some time, an hon.
orable, upright man, to whom l could
teach the secret of my success, and
who might succeed to my business. ]
have prayed that when die, l might
leave my child under the protecting
care Of husband, who had not sought
her for her wealth, man of pure heart
and firm principle. Lucien Gaylord,
1 have found the man l sought. To
day you will dine with me, and be in
troduced to Miss Brunette"
TY
The cry broke from Lucien's lips in
such utter amazement, that he though,
he must dream, or his employer wa
insane.
"You!" was the quiet answer.
"Bu. it is all impossible Luciel
said, slowly regaining his self-posses
sion.
"Impossiblef Why so, if l am
willingf'
"You will think me ungrateful, pre-
sumptnous; but cannot accede to
your noble, generous plan. Faithful
service, true friendship, l can give you
gladly, but you must seek another
heir, another son-in-law. l am not
Free"
"You refuse my daughter"
81 have given my love and won a
heart l could never betray."
"May l ask where ?"
my promised wife is no heiress,
but simple country maiden, lovely
and gentle. l will not weary you, sir,
with a lovers praise but you will let
me say that have worked for two
years, with the hope of winning some
position that will enable me to offer a
home to my wife. If you will put me
in such a situation, you will win my
warmest gratitude. but / must not
think again of the dazzling offer you
have made me"
"Yoa refuse to be my son-in-law-
my heir 7"
81 refuse any offer that makes me a
traitor to a pure heart that trusts me.
at makes it harder to give you up.
But if l must, at least accept my invi
tation to dinner, and my friendship.
"Gladly, gratefully"
"At six, then, shall expect you.
Was he awake? Lucien asked him
self the question more than once, as he
pored over his ledgers, added long col
umns of figures, and wrote business
letters. Had John Brunette, the mil
lionaire, really made him the magnifi
cent proposals stii. ringing in his ears
Were they both insanei
His head was still whirling as he
dressed himself and walked TO the
splendid Fifth avenue mansion the
rich merchant called his home. Every
hxurv monav could command mai IA.