The daily gazette., 1877-12-08
night, and she felt hardly able to attend

ing said. "He never wished her to ex-
ert herself when she was not quite well.
He had noticed her looking pale for a
day or two she must not over-work
herself"
His face was quite flushed with earn
estness, and Mis- Harding gave him an
odd look from under her long lashes, as
he spoke. Suddenly the door was thrown
open ,and Mr.. Arthur Browning announc-
ed. On entering, that young man was
started, and opened his eyes very wide
at the sight of his father, while Mr..
Browning, senior, expressed as much
surprise, and more confusion. Miss
Mary Harding blushsd, as she gave
Arthur her pretty hand. But after few
explanations, the three got along very
well together, though Arthur was rather
more quiet and thoughtful than usual.
Tne gentleman did not stay long, how
ever, and as they were on the way to the
store again, Mr.. Browning observed, sud-
denly:
"a very nice girl, Arthur
eyes," Arthur assented heartily, and
then blushed up to his handsome eyes.
but his father was too busy with his own
thoughts to notice 1t.
"I admire her very much" said
Mr.. Browning. "Ahem-in fact, Arthur
l have thought of making her my wife,
ifshe would accept me.'
What! you marry Mary Harding?" ex-
claimed Arthur excitedly, and then he
curled his lips as if in derision.
Really, Arthur, had no thought that
you would take it so,' said the elder gen.
tleman, apparently somewhat hurt
"Why, do you really object to my mar
| rying this lady ?"
eyes, father, I seriously and emphat-
ically object, and If you value my love
and respect, you will give up the idea"
| and unlinking his arm from his fathers
the young gentleman separated from
| him at the door of the store.
30 DEAR" SAID Mr.. Browning, alone in
his office; chow proud Arthur is He
considers such marriage beneath me, i
suppose, but the girl is intelligent and
we'll educated, and think there would
not be much sacrificed. She came of
good family, too. Perhaps Arthur will
overcome his prejudices. think the
trouble is, that he doesn't appreciate her
They must get better acquainted"
And forthwith it seemed to be the first
and most important thought of Mr.,
Brownings mind, to get Arthur in NJ iss
Hardings company. He invented every
possible way to draw her out before HIM
but he often found it no easy matter, for
the young lady seemed as shy of Arthur
|
Matters were in this state-and Mr.
Browning fretting over them very much
when Miss Harding informed him one
evening, that she should like TO work
until ten o'clock at night. He consented
supposing that she had sufficient reason
for the request, but it was not until the
hour arrived for him to go home-for he
never spent his evenings at the store
that he happened to recollect that il
| hn fnY hnn Np
alone.
~ hate to trouble you, Arthur" he
said, privately to his son, "but it would
not be right to allow her to be out so late
alone, and the evenings are getting sc
cold now, that don't like to be out, witt
my rheumatism, though L would go ra
ther than she should go alone"
go well, father, I'll go, of course
Don't fret Pll see her safe home," sale
Arthur amiably.
''Arthur's a good boy" SAID Mr.
Browning to himself, as he walked the
length of the long salesroom, GIVE nc
doubt that it's quite sacrifice for him to
make, but he made it without any wry
faces Yes, very good boy"
Mr.. Browning-dear, honest, blinded
man-listen to me. After you had gone
your son jumped up from his chair where
you left him reading, tossed his book
helter-skelter behind a table, ran across
the room to where pretty Mary Harding
was sitting. and taking her up, arm
chair and all, carried her to a place be-
fore the flre, and put screen between
her and gas-hght Then he dragged a
stool up before her desk and fell to writ
ing. In less than an hour the work was
done, for he was fresh and earnest, and
she had been suffering all day with q
headache. Then he brought her over
i.l. 10 Ir,. u. OH lro,
them? I'm sure you couldn't have told
I-put them on for her, wrapped her in
her shawl, tied her pretty rigolette be-
meath her dimpled chin. aud finally tuck
ed her little hand beneath his arm, and
marched off down the street in the direc-
ton of her home. What you won't lis
ten ?-actually walking away while am
talking! o, you obstinate old bat
Well, would you have been convinced If
you had been awake and heard Arthur
come softly into the house at half past
three? Say7
One day, in the latter part OF Novem-
ber, Mr.. Browning's book-keeper didn't
make her appearance as usual. Nobody
seemed to know the reason. At last,
Arthur came in.
"Arthur," ssaid the old gentlem an,
"where can Mary beW
He had lately taking to calling her by
"I believe she is at the fremont House,
I left her there" replied Arthur quiet
ly.
cat the fremont Housep'
eyes," replied the young gentleman
coolly, putting his feet on the table, and
taking up The Journal. "She became
my wife, last evening, and you won't
see her here any more. Johnstone is
well, now and will be in in the morn
ing.
90, you scamp, you rascal! I thought
you " ere at your club rooms all night
There, Mr. Browningl now will you
believe what told you?
PITH AND 9POINT.