The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-10-31

! as to render loving him doubly hope
less. as well as dangerous, was too
much. She must leave the Office.
and that at once. Her presence in
lit only infamed Ransom Payne
against Mr. Ralph. and for both
their sakes it was best for her TO
leave. 'sa s7s
"Well, Spirit, is there anything ]
can do for you this EVENING" p And
/ Mr.. Ralph leaned back in his luxuri7
GUS Office chair. and smiled kindly
with these fine eyes OF his upon the
] fair girl who stood trembling beside
his desk, waiting for him to be at
leisure to speak to her.
"1-thought-I-will you please
engage another operator, Mr.. Ralph?
timidly." 81 shall not be able to
come any more after Tuesday"
"How-what? another operator?
Spirit, are you crazy? Aren't your
wages sufficient and the young
mans hand moved toward his purse.
A crimson flush dyed tie young
girls neck and brow.
Il am not finding falt with my
wages, or with anything, Mr.. Ralph.
You have been very generous; but /
am compelled to give up the place.
'This is your fathers work =
cried Ralph.
Mono, sir; indeed it is notl''
"Then why leave me without an
excuse, Spirit? Are you not con-
tented here, has any one dared to
speak an unkind or disrsspectful
word?" And the young mans eyes
flashed.
mo. sir. l have always received
respectful treatment from every one
connected with the Office"
.Then, why leave me, Spirit? You
were the means of saving my liye, my
possessions-perhaps my all. can
not do without you. My sister, can
not. She has learned to love you.
You must stay
. al cannot, Dir. RalphT' decidedly,
this time. &
Her employer looked up. His
face was grave and sad, and his eyes
searched her own. That was pale
but simmovable.
every WE'LL" he said at. last. 81
will say no more tonight. Think
the matter over. and If an increase
of wages will answer we'll settle that
on Monday"
81 am not nercenary. if I am
poor, Mr.. Ralph Indignantly.
Money has nothing whatever to do
with my decision p
The young man started. He
seemed to realize, suddenly, that he
was not talking to an ordinary work.
ing girl-one whose soul was bound
up in her wages, and it was his turn
to color and stammer an apology,
'sSpirit received it gracefully, and
with sad smile left the office.
What was before her ow? She
must put miles between them. Where
should she go?
Monday evening Spirit Byrnie
prepared to leave the Office as usual.
To her surprise Mr. Ralph WAS wait
ing for her at the door. He gently
placed her hand, that trembled vio-
lently upon his arm, and they left
the Office together. He told Spirit
that she must stay; not as his tele
graph operator-hs would stand be.
tween her and self support, no, but
as his wife.
The girl heard him through. then
quietly refused him.
"What don't you love me. Spirit?'
Love on my part would be poor
ly balanced with nothing but pity
on my husbands's?' she said Bit
terly.
"No. Mr.. Ralph. have unfor-
tunately been granted aims and feel
ings shove my station in life. T.
will never marry one of the class
among whom I have raised; neither
will intrude where 1 have no
birthright."
. spirit" replied Mr.. Ralph. sit is
net pity, but love, that prompts the
offer of my hand. Ny heart has
been already given you, I cannot
take it back. want You. Spirit"
"But your mother--your sister,
Mr.. Ralph? I cannot brook their
displeasure. =
"'Ralph,' if you please. Spirit.
My mother and sister are ready to
welcome you They love you for
yonr own cake; not forgetting your
noble fearless riaking Of your life. to
save their son and brother. That
was fearful night, Spirit. It must
be wonderful love that would dare
so much for amere, employer!'' He
was laughing tenderly now.
s, BY a strange chance they met Mr..
Byrnie at the gate. He seemed sur
prised to see Mr.. Ralph with Spirit,
and received the former frank ac-
knowledgemeut Of their new rela-
lion for q moment with doore,l 4