The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-10-01
'EDITH,s ENGAGEMENT RING.

think that could snle-ctIuiu cdiuiy soJ'
1T is His day."
EDITH,S ENGAGEMENT RING.
BY MARY REED CRowELL.
Mr.. Cyrus Symington, of Symington q
St. Humblethwaite, jewelers. and deal
4 ers in fine watches, diamonds and
precious stones, was in an exceptionally
bad humor, despite the beauty OF the
day that gave more than fair promise OF
a good share of custom.
Mr.. Symington walked up and down
the store-all immense, elegant place,
with rows of plate-glass on bronze ped.
estals, and shelf after shelf laden with
bijolis of statuary and bronzes-a short,
r,oftly man, with sandy beard all
+ ound his full, red face, and q big, bald
place at the crown of his head; not the
most prepossessing looking man in the
prld, or as regarded. temper, either, as
employees might have testified.
Do you know anything about SAINT
this morning he isn't hereY'
<ed, gruffiy, of one of Santwood's s
clerks.
don't know, sir. He was all right
he went homie on Saturday.
Symington gave an annihilating
ON the young man.
am not aware that asked for any
Inside information" he said harsh1y.
Santwood's condition on Saturday
Is of no consequence to me. want to
know where he is this morning"
He went fuming along to his private
office, where the head book-keeper was
waiting for him.
"SantwoeA is sick this morning, sir,
and Will not be here; but has sent his
cousin to take his place, with your per-
mission. Miss Edith Santwood, is out
side there to see you.
Mr. Symington looked ~at~his book
keeper with frown ofssurprise.
Miss Edith Santwood Missl What
the etieuce does he mean sending wo-
man here to do his work?"
ssHe glared at the unoffending man
as though he had been guilty of high
treason.
"Can't say, sir" carelessly. He
certainly has sent the young lady, and
you will find her waiting to see you out
side. That's all know about 1t.
And, as Mr.. Thorn was the one man
in Symington & st. Humblethwaites 8 en-
ploy whom the senior partner never sue
ceeded in bullying, Mr.. Symington went
grumblingly away, while Mr.. Thorn re-
turned to his books.
The irate old gentleman certainly was
not the most reassuring of mortals, as he
went down the aisle toward Edith SAINT
God standing beside the end of bronze
Ind plate glass showcase girl fair as
.slily-white roseleaf, shining black eyes,
were looking eagerly at him with
host fearful apprehension in their
autiful depths, with waving, jet black
air parted over her low, broad fore
aead, and banded, in exquisitely becom-
ing simplicity under the little, cardinal
lined, cottage straw hat--a lady refined.
and delicate, but wearing the unmis-
taxable air of frugality that was almost
poverty.
Somehow, a large portion of Mr.. Sym
ington's surplus spleen evaporated as he
saw her.
$50 you are Santwood's cousin-eh,
ma'am? A substitute, understand"
Edith bowed, and smiled slightly,
showing distracting dimple.
81 am Claude Santwood's cousin
1ith, sir. He boards with mamma and
and is unable to come. and very
much worried about it-for it is the busy
ocdSOH, Ac says. Aduula Sdlu L ulBub
take his place if you would permit it.
Claude has explained all the duties to
me, and I am very sure can perform
them.%
fNobosses has ever known crusty old
Synington to listen to such lengthy
answer before; but he actually did, only
shesfrowned and twisted his beard.
e'I never heard of such a thing" he
said gruf1y. sSantwood' s duties are easy
eenough for that matter, forssany woman
to do. He has to fly around lively some
times. .But-why it is ridiculous idea
to send you here to take his place.
What possessed him?''
Not that he wanted to know, or cared
if he had known.
Edith blushed.
"We are poor, sir, and if Claude's
wages should stop"
''Oh, yes, I dare say! Well hang up
your shawl and bonnet in the cloak room
yonder, and I'll see etwhether or not you
amount to anything. Women don't, as
general thing, take notice."
And although Claude had, over and
07l nain, told her how, disagreeable
ipgton was, eT8ftheless Edith
Nj winking to keep back the
rs that woul1 -