Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-02-17

ANrA oiAe WHeu We were alone.
and ne was in genial mood. [ was
Janet. and did not dislike the name.
Christmas Eve came. 1t had been
long and very tiresome. Mr.. Chisholm
had been out nearly all day. 1t wanted
now but quarter to 6. I had put on
my coax and hat, and was slowly draw
ing ON my gloves, when quick step
sounded outside the office. The next
moment he entered. with the brightest.
happiest expression had ever seen him
wear.
Still here, Janet?" he cried, gayly.
Il hardly thought to find you. Have
you no purchases to make?"
eyes, SIR, one," replied, wishing with
all nay heart that | had gone ten minutes
earlier. 81 am going now"
was at the door of the Office when he
called:
'Janet, come here"
II have a purchase to make, sir.
without removing my hand from the
handle Of the door. 81 shall be late for
dinner"
''But l want to tell you something: I
came back here on purpose to tell you, Z"
he replied
walked slowly back and stood within
a few feet of him.
Il am waiting, sir"
He laughed.
Congratulate me, Janet. lam going
to be married"
"To be married." I repeated, vaguely
with horrible sinking at my heart, and
conscious that my face was growing pale,
with my masters keen eyes looking
straight at me.
Eyes. You see have a big house up
town. handsome and comfortable. but
very lonely, Janet; I've no one to bid me
good-by III the morning, no one to well
come me homo at night; no happy, wee
wife, no merry, childish voices to cheer
my heart; l am lonely. and I love n good
woman-so-I am going to be married.
But you have not congratulated me
yet
~ do wish you JOY, sir, managed to
say with tolerable composure.
''I'hank YOU" he responded almost
gleefully. "Ah! my love is rare one,
good, pure. and lovely. Wait till you
see her. shall show her to you some
day. my little clerk, and hope you will
be friends"
This was too much.
"Good-evening, sir," I exclaimed. 81
must go now
Goodnight" He walked to tho Of
hand. "You have known me more than
four months, and we have never yet
shaken hands. How is that, Janet?"
81 did not know that clerks generally
shook hands with their employers, sir.
Goodnight and Merry Christmas" And
folding both hands demurely in my mutf.
marched by, pretending not to see his
outstretched hand.
! had but one purchase to make, n
small gray muff for Meta, and was soon
on my way home at as rapid pace as
the slippery, snow-coverel sidewalk
would allow.
This pain at my heart was almost in
tolerable: it had been there nearly all
day. / began to realize what it meant;
/ was an idiot, IN arrant fool! A man
had been simply polite. and little kind
10 me. and forthwith had been silly
enough to fall in love with him. 1t had
actually come to this; was in love with
my master, who had never spoken one
word of love to me in his life, and who
was going to marry another woman. ]
was thoroughly ashamed of myself, and
vowed I would die rather than he shonld
know-mv foot slipped, / pitched forward,
then bacES in vain attempt to recover
nv equilibrium. and settled suddenly
into q heap of soft snow, while my pack.
are few in an opposite direction. Twice
I made an awkward attempt to rise.
when pair Of strong arms raised me, q
familiar voice saying:
''Not comfortable time of the year
for sitting out of doors.
Then. while | brushed the snow from
nv dress, my master picked up my
parcel. and before I could object had
tucked my hand under his arm, and was
walking toward my boarding q
wondered afterward how he knew the
address.l
'tMayn't call and see you some even
ing when / am lonely? I'll be very
good, and I do want to come" with a
usefulness i'll his tone that made my
heart bound.
Resist the devil and he will fee from
you'' had been favoritc quotation o.
my step. mothers: the devil n thu
case was my own reart, that wac clamor-
ing so loudly forbidden fruit To resist
him. 1 answered sharply, angrily:
| "No. sir, You may not comel You
must find some other way of relieving
Your loneliness
NV master looked astonished, frowned,
| and then laughed.
s.You need not look so cross about it
| Janet. Ycu don't look pretty when yor
scowl. Merry Christmas to your ant
he was gone.
Some bitter tears were shed that night
with protest against the bitterness o.
life
NV one Christmas gift was a bunch o
| 1elfcious hot house flowers which hae
been left for me by an unknown hand
and which frightened orr room ano
rladened our hearts as long as they
| lasted
Irather dreaded meeting Mr.. Chisholm
the newt dav. how would he act? Would
he be DOL and caustic. or overlook mi
| altogether? | felt the blood rush to m
facc as / heard his step. He carelessi,,
| returned my saIutation. and 1mmediatei'
| ecamainterestedin his letters. EVIDENT.
! he was angry.
Later in the afternoon, Mr.. Jarvl
ushcred two ladies' into the office. On
was young and very lovely. Mr. Chs
holm greeted them with enaorcssez'en'
ssThe youncos st one is Miss RAYMOND,
wbisrered the head clerk. fidgetinnI
among my papers, ''the lady Mr.. Chs
| boim is to marry
.Inaeedr' / answered. bending owe
nv work as it settled?" :.
..Oh. yesla was the low reply, "
hear they are to be married in March
She was a brilliant-looking woman
Int / thought. had been IN her place
r would never have shown Mr. Chlshoii
nv preference so lavishly before strar
GERS. or been content with such mockin
homage as he rendered. His crosses
manner pleased me more; this was %
| lioht and free to suit me, but Miss Kay
mond appeared well satisfied, tiashin
BRIGHT chances, and tossing her queeni
head in a manr er that might have bewi
dered q stronger man than my master
some grand bah was to take place WIN
: week. and she wanted him to meet ne
there. At first he appeared nnwiiiihs