Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-03-29

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Society welcomed him home after
wo years of wandering, fer Amsbel
Barclay kept open house for her friends,
nd Raymond was a favorite In her
rcle. Her husband, many years old
r than herself, had long retired from
Jus, ness with a large income, and
While he gave Raymond cordial wei
.ome had no opportunity TO AID I'D
ipding occupation.
And Bertha Haines, his friend, fro ID
whom he had parted two years ago,
oecSms TO hun in this renewed inter-
course, more than ever she was friend
before. They had not thought OF love
before. They had not thought of love
W hen the girl was debutante in soci-
sty and Raymond one Of its fayorite
beaux. But when they met after tne
long parting some new emotion stirred
both hearts. They did not know what
made the hours pass SO quickly when
they were together, nor recognize tne
subtle charm that dwelt for each other
in the others society for many week.
Raymond Was the first to awaken TO
the knowledge that love was the charm
which bound him to Bertha's side
whenever she was present, that 1t was
love that made her dark, beautiful eyes
so lovely In their expression, ana tnat
love made her the dearest of all women
in her eyes.
Amabel was delighted. Bertha was
one of her fast friends, and Bertha's .
father merchant of high standing and
influence. And aside from this the
girl inherited money from her nlother.
Altogether Amabei decided that The
match would be charming. But hint
to that effect met one of Raymoud's
sternest froWns, such as had never Wis
tied his face in the old sunshy days. !.
Never speak of it again, Anabel,
be said. i am no fortune hunter, 70
live on the money of rich wife. III
make my own way 6rst.'
But making bis own way proved te-
dious work till, desperate at his many
failures, he accepted a position, offered
in Jest, of driver 10 an express wagon.
u do understand horses, il l cannot
sell goods or keep books
1t proved harder work, however,
than In his first lit OF desperation ne
had imagined. Not the work, that he
soon conquered, the sights and stares
of his old friends. SUne few reco. nj.
zed the true nobility that accepted
honest labor rather than an easy de-
pendence upon wealthy connections,
bot these were few.
A week passed, when one morning
delivering some goods at one OF the
most fashionable stores on Broadway,
as he went out Raymond saw Bertha
Haines opening the door OF her low
carriage. An impulse made him start
forward to hand her out, only to draw
back crimson with confusion, dropping
the hand he WAS lifting to his hat. The
sweet, musical voice he loved, spoke at
once:
please, Mr.. Thurston, help me with
this obstinate door. 1t will stick
He went forward, then, with all the
easy grace of manner that had ever
marked his intercourse. with ladies'
The little gloved hand was extended
to meet his as she thanked him.
1T is too bad you are engaged, she
said. Il should like to borrow your
artist eye to aid me in selecting dress
for my reception on Thursday evening
But you will come and tell me how
succeeded alone, will you not?'
She said the last words very earnest
ly, raising her dark eyes to his face.
do you really wish me to come,
now?' he asked.
Il do.'
'Then / will come! / must say good
morning. and he left her with most
courteous bow.
But while the great express wagon
ratified down the streets, Miss Haines
turned from the store she had been en-
teriug, and re-entered her carriage.
TO my father's,' she said, to the
driver, and a few moments later the
merchant looked up from his ledgers
10 see his only child in faultleSs
walking dress, entering the counting
house.
Another check!,. he said, moving q
chair to her. How much this timer
Nothing! l want to talk to you.
Shut the door, SO those horrid men
can't hear me.'
The door closed, and privacy in the
sanctum secured, Bertha astonished
her parental relative by bursting into
u passion of weeping.
why, Berthap he cried.
Never mind, papa. 1t is all over
now. Do you remember what you
said to me when Raymond Thurston
asked for some employment here?'
Il do. You said that man brought
up as he had been would want sine
cure position; that he would never
come down to real work, and that you
had no position for fine gentlemen;
I hat his offer to take subordinate po-
sition and learn business was simply q
force -
did j say all that, my daughter
TO me you did. 1 suppose you dis
missed him politely enough. But, pa
pa, If you thought he was really in
earnest-really meant to work for a
living, would yeu give him q chance?'
'Yes. lie has capacity, brains, and a
sp'endid address. But he has been an
idler all his life.'
He is no idler now. He is driving
an express Cart
sBerthap
He is. met him not an hour ago;
re thought | was going TO cut him.
AS il, she ed led with magnificent
scorn, Il would slight an old friend ia
adversity.'
BLESS my soul! Driving an old ex-
press wagon! Ned Thurston's boy,
educated at Harvard! Dear me. Did
yen hear whose wagon ii was Bertha"
Bertha had noticed, and the old gen.
tlamsn hustled into his coat and start
ed for the office. At dinner he inform
cd Bertha that Raymond had accepted
q place in his own large establishment,
with frank confession of his profound
ignorance of all.business affairs, but an
earnest resolution TO learn well and
speedily Whatever appertained to the
duties entrusted to him.
1t was not many weeks before Mr..
Haines congratulated himself uron the
;c.t & 10 nj Ia ff,II