The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-08
Something More Than a Clerk

SVNlCtIlluH NOIc lNdH d kl0Fk.
Laura Carlisle stood where scarcely a
half dozen women in the room would have
dared to stand, directly under tho blaze of
the chandelier, her cheeks crimsoncd with
excitement, her eyes bright as the Jewels
which flashed In her brown hair, her heavy
garnet satin robes sweeping against the sim
pie muslin dress of her cousin, Katy Carlisle
who was as ditfcr0nt from her as the tender
twilight. from the brilliant noontluy.
Yet sweet Katy, even in that simple
DRESS with eyes blue as the turquoise sash
which bound her slender waist, was no less
attractive than her naughty cousin, and SO
thought Floyd Laurence, as he stood chatting
with them. 1t was not lack Of beauty which
often cast Katy in the slladc-but Katy was
poor, and golden bait is soonest snapped
mt, you know
''Oh, 90 think so much of a good
old familyl" SAID Laura, who, having
heard that Floyd Laurence belonged to one
OF the f. f. VS." desired to create an I'M
preston. "Why, I wouldn't look at Il
prince If he did not come of q good stock
"Princcss arc generally supposed TO do
SO, Laura, laughed Katy, mischieyous
twinkle coming into her eyes rs she met
Floyd's glance.
ooh, of course I meant if they could do
otherwise, said Laura, reddcning with vex-
alton Mt her mistake. And then, glad to
change the conversation, she turned to Mary
West and began to inquire about some
beautiful lace she was wearing.
81 got it at Warburtcn's," said Mary
smiling
ooh, l must get some tomorrow, If
there is Il yard left" cried Laura. 81 shall
he sure to go there right away. Yes, that
is our waltz, MIR. Laurence" and taking
his arm she moved gracefully away.
''Hcm-ycs-they arc pretty girls-the
sweetest girls saw tonight, D. soliloquized
Floyd Laurence, IN his own room that
night. "But | wonder if Miss Laura would
smile so sweetly if she thought hadn't a
cent in my pocket Loves wings you sec
when tipped with gold, are beautiful to
view Confound the money! 1t makes
one suspicious of everybody But / do
wish there was way to test the truth
sometimes"
He sighed, lit cigar, and sat down to
smoke away his fancics Suddenly he
sprang mp, flung the cigar into the CRATE,
and began to pace the room.
"By Joye I've an ideal" said he.
miss Laura is going to Warburton's to-
morrow; now Warburton happens to be a
friend of mine-I think will go there too.
He'll enter the thing, Pm sure; and Ive
fancy to see ii Floyd Laurence behind
counter, and Floyd Laurence in Mrs How
ards ballroom stand just the same in Miss
Carlislc's estimation. Heigho! 7 wonder
if that pretty blue-cyed cousin will come
with her2"
After dinner next day, Miss Carlisle's
carriage stopped before Warburton's store,
and the naughty beauty and her cousin
Katy entered the wide doors, and crossed
over to the lace counter.
"Slow mo your finest Meclin," began
Miss Laura, but stopped in utter amaze
ment, as she recognized in the polite clerk
her partner of the night before. eMr Lau-.
renee" she exclaimed.
And Katy opening her blue eyes very
wide, repeated tho exclamation.
''Alr. Laurence we did not expect to
see You herel'
"WhY not" asked our hero, smilingly.
''We were not aware-we did not know
that you" began Miss Laura, haughtily,
and Floyd finished her sentence"
"That I was Mr.. Warburton's clerk
Oh, yes, Miss Carlislel What style of lace
would you prefer2"
''Thank you'll do not care about tho
lace to-day. Katy, come, we are in haste"
She turned and swept her sllken robes
away, but Katy, her cheeks scarlet, lin
gercd to give one little hand to Floyd Laur-
cncc, and said cordially:
"Mr. Laurence, remember, you prom
lsed last night to call upon me. THAT is
we shall expect you"
And Floyd, as he vcntured lightly to
press that tiny, little hand, said fervcntly:
''Thank you, shall surely comel"
'"The idea! The very idea !" cried
Laura Carlisle, Indignantly, when they
were In their carriage
"What does Mrs. Howard mean by in
Producing such persons to her GUESTS I'll
never forgive her. To think should have
danced with low clerkl'
"Why, Laura, am sure he is perfect
gentienan," said Katy. 49,
''Gentlcman, indeed A common clerk
pretend to be a gentleman, and aspire to
good society Katy Carlisle,y you arc little
idiot !"
cat least I like Mm rs much now as I
did last night" said Katy, with some
spirit.
every well, indulge your low tastes, If
you like" rctOrtcd Laura scornfully 81
shall certainly not cultivate his acquaint-
ance."
A few evenings later as Laura stood
robcd like q princess in Judge Growers elc-
CANT saloon, she saw Floyd Laurence maxi
Ing his way toward her.
'sHe hercl Are people all gone mad
But he won't dare to address mo ~ she
thought, her bright cheek reddening an
grily.
But he did dare, coming up to her with
frank, gentlemanly greeting. Laura look
cd full In his eyes, with a glance which
might have turned him to stone, had her