Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-01-22
MIscEIlARE GUS.
THE MERCHANTS TEST.

TIE. MERCHANTS TEST
- u E day was yet young, when a traveller
left the train at the little station of Nor
ton, and leaving directions about his bag>
gage with The station-master sauutered leis>
urely up the dusty road. He had engaged
summer lodgings BY letter, and was seeking
his destination.
Go straight ahead till you come to it."
This was the station masters direction, so
straight ahead Lucien Gaylord proceeded,
till he paused to look at a tGGteau rivaHt
framed in fyweriug vines. 4 girl seated
broad hat was pushed back, leaving q face
exposed, purely oval, delicate featured,
creamy Of com pIexion, with brown eyes and
golden hair drawn simply back in waving
bands, to fall in clustering curls around the
slender throat. Most unlike rustic beauty
was the high bred face, the slender white
hands, the selfpOssesscd pose but yet the
dress was quite brown calico, with white
apron, with rufiles and cuffs.
While Lucien Gaylord looked at her, she
raised her beautiful! eyes and saw him. lie
raised his hat, asking: ...
Can You direct mo to Miss Strong's 2"
ait is here" was the answer.
And opening the gate, Lucien entered,
mentally concluding that the silvery voice
was delciously refined the face.
Il am Luceu Gaylord" he said, by way
of introduction.
"My Aunt Muria's new lodger. You had
better rest on the porch before / call her.
1t is !iresome, sunny walk from the station"
Perfectly easy, with just sufficient cor
diality in the tone for welcome. Lucieu ac-
ceptcd the invitation, and started conver-
sation, watching the dainty fugers shelling
peas, with touch that was light yet firm.
Miss Strong appeared presently, aud took
her new lodger to his room, asking her niece
to carry her pan to the kitchen. -
"For we will give you an early dinner
after your long walk, she said, Hospitality,
bustling about to bring cold water and fresh
towels
"You sent your trunk? l will have it
sent up as it comes"
MAY" she told her neice, che is gem
tlemaD, every inch of him, and handsome as
picture" .....
Il like his manner" May answered, wash
ing her peas at the siuk. shall make a
custard, aunty?"
lsIf you will, dear. Oh, dear, to think
of Cynthia taking this day of all others. to
ac. So"
For Cynthia, the only servant, had been
detected in the act of passing spoons from
the kitchen window to villainous looking
tramp, aud the pair had been handed over
to the village constable.
None appearing to replace the thievish
Cynthia, May was often found in the kitch-
en-, not very efficient but willing, and suc>
ceeding in many culinary triumphs, simply
by obeying orders.
"I'll u axe a good cook of you, yet" her
aunt often told her, and she I4ughed merri-
ly at the words. -'' '
But Lucieu Gaylord, enjoying brief
summer holiday, often wished heartily that
he might be permitted to live upon bread
and milk, if by SO doing he could keep May
out of the Kitchen. 20
Whenever she was free she found him
waiting for her, aud they sat in the porch,
or walked in shady lanes, chstting pleasant
ly, gradually going beyond surface talk mu-
tually interested and pleased to find so much
sympathy of thought and feeling that time
sped on too swiftly when they were together.
he told her of his boyhood, with a wealthy
father, who died suddenly, leaving nothing.
of a once handsome fortune, of his mother
who sank soon after under tho pressure of
Of sorrow and poverty of his own position
as clerk in wholesale house, upon a
small salary.
Not until they were fast friends did he
tell her allthis. and little later he told
her Of new dream, a new hope, love
death only could destroy.
'tWill you let me take back to my drudge
~ the hope that if can conquer fortune,
you will come to share it 2' he asked. "Will
you be my wife, love, in that future in which
hope to gather about me at least comfort
for home 2"
He had wooed her in a straightforward.
manly fashion, and she was not surprised.
She put her hand in his, promising all he
asked.
He went back to bis desk in the autumn
but only week later was offered q better
position in the counting>hcuse of the mer.
chant, John Burnette.
alt is so strange" he wrote to May, "Mr.
Burnette himself seems SO interested IN me,
though 1 sm an entire stranger to him. de
watches me and promotes me rapidly, SEEM