Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-23
AMBER.

Leslie Thorne sat idly at his desk in
the Senate, twirling his moustache with one
elegant white hand.
1t had been dull day for the members,
and especially dull for him; his bill he had
worked for with such interest had passed
both houses-he knew it would win-his
enterprises always did, and he had moth
ing else to wish for. He had succeeded in
everything he undertook since he began,
seventeen years ago, a poor newspaper
boy in a printing Office, steadily gaining
wealth, friends, position, everything. Did
I say everything 2
If ever glossy broadcloth hid an aching
heart, it was the one beating duly under
Leslie Thorne's immaculate vest. If ever
genuine sorrow looked from pair of fine
eyes, it was that which clouded Leslie
Thornes. His fair face, rounded and al
most boyish in its outlines, had that
glossed-over look of woe, that ennuied look
of premature age, that will settle on such
young faces sometimes.
When scarcely twenty, he had married
the belle of the city where he lived; he did
not love her, but he felt a spiteful sense of
pride in winning her. She was beautiful,
accomplished and high-strung.
He was over-sensitive, tyrannical and
selfish, from early success. They lived to-
gethers few miserable years, and sepa-
rated Since then society had courted and
fattered him as much as ever; brilliant
women had smiled on him even more, till
he had little faith left in them; though he
treated them with polite courteousness
he mistrusted and despised them cordially.
He was was just now thinking that there
never was, and never would be, any one in
this world for him to care for, or to care
for him, and wishing that he might die if
he were only certain as to his future destina-
ton, when he caught the words of blear-
faced lobbyist, and one of the former mem
bers, in the next desk.
"Pretty as bird isn't she p
"Not 50 very pretty; but got deal of
mesmerism about her; brought me over
before she had said dozen words Calcu-
lated to say something rough to her, but
someway I couldn't"
"How old is she ?"
Dunno; looks young, and looks old;
mighty queenly way with her for such
little woman; there she is, now, making for
Thorne, III be bound"
Leslie stretched his aristocratic neck past
the sergeant-at-arm's room, indicated by
the men, towards the 1.-THE young figure ap-
preaching him. Though he had such a
poor idea Of women, he was not above the
curiosity of seeing one, not having spoken
to one since the last inaugural ball, a month
ago.
He looked sharply at the girls face-no,
twas not handsome, but so bright and in
tense, it beguiled you into thinking it pref
ty when it was only common, freckled
face, already sharpening with the I'M
A little SILVER an over Leslie Thorne.
Some wayit seemed to him the sweetest
face he had ever seen, and the. sweetest of
mesmeric voices he had ever heard. that
said:
81 came to ask if you would vote for me
for engrossing-clerk ?"
Vote for her? Why, if she had asked
him to fly, he would have tried to have
done so.
"Indeed will. Sit down a moment. and
fell me what 1 can do for you," offering
her the inevitable Brussels-covered sena-
torial armchair.
Oh, women who sit tenderly cared for at
home, not depending upon clerkships for a
living, do not blame Amber West as she
takes this chair, for flashing at him her
prettiest glances, and smiling her sweetest
smile, knowing that her bread and butter
depended on good impression. Also do
not blame Leslie Thorne, who was a great
lady-killer and the handsomest man in the
Senate, for flashing back at her Just as
winning glances and for making himself
SO agreeable, partly out of pity for, and
partly to try his power over, this blushing
girl.
To kill the time, and for the sake of a
Irritation, he used all his influence for her,
rejoicing when she got the situation, and