The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-02-24

would allow.
This pain at my heart was almost in
tolerable; it had been there nearly all
day. I began to realize what it meant;
I was an idiot, an arrant fool! A man
had been simply polite, and little kind
to me, and forthwith had been silly
enough to fall in love with him. It had
actually come to this; I 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. I
was thoroughly ashamed of myself, and
vowed would die rather than he should
know-my foot slipped, 7 pitched forward,
then back in vain attempt to recover
my equilibrium, and settled suddenly
into heap of soft snow, while my pack
L made an awkward attempt to rise,
when a pair Of strong arms raised me, a
familiar voice saying:
"Not q comfortable time of the year
for sitting out of DOORS"
Then, while brushed the snow from
my 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 house. 0
wondered afterward how he knew the
address.)
''Maynt / call and see you some even
ing when L nm lonely? I'll be very
good, and do want to come," with a
wlstfulness in his tone that made my
heart bound
"Resist the devil and he will flee from
you had been O favorite quotation Of
my step mothers; the "devil" in this
case was my own heart, that was clamor.
ing SO loudly forbidden fruit. To resist
him, answered sharply, angrily:
mo, Sir, you may not come! You
must find some other way of relieving
your lovelineas."
MY master looked astonished, frowned,
and then laughed.
"You need not look 80 cross about it.
Janet. You don't look pretty when you
scowl. Merry Christmas to you!' and
he was gone.
Some bitter tears we're shed that night,
with protest against the bitterness of
life.
My ona Christmas gift was n bunch OF
delicious hot-house flowers which had
been left for me by an unknown hand
and which frightened our room and
gladened onr hearts as long as they
lasted
rather dreaded meeting Mr. Chisholm
the next day; how would he act? Would
he be cool and caustic, or overlook me
altogether? I felt the blood rush to nv
face as heard his step. He carelessly
returned my salutation, and immediately
became einterestedi in his letters. Evidently
he was angry.
Later in the afternoon. Mr.. Jarvis
ushered two ladies into the Office. One
was young and very lovely Mr.. CHS
holm greeted them with cD,preSscment.
''The youngest one is Miss Raymond" "
whispered the head clerk, fidgeting
among my papers, "the lady Mr.. CHS
holm is to marry"
"Indeed!' I answered. bending over
my work. CTS it settled?"
ooh, yes!" was the low reply. 81
hear they are to bc married in March"
She was a brilliant-looking woman
but thought, had been in her place
would never have shown Mr.. Chisholm
my preference so lavishly before stran
gers, or been content with such moclzina
homage rs he rendered. His crosses
manner pleased me more; this was toc
light and free to suit me, but Miss Ray
! mond appeared we'll satisfied, flashing
bright chances, and tossing her queenl,
head in manner that might have bewil
dered q stronger man than my master
Some grand ball was to take place withir
| a week, and she wanted him to meet hel
there. At first he appeared unwilling
then he allowed himself to be coaxed in
to consent. I saw her slip her small
hand into his in her thanks, then, amid
gay speeches and merry laughter, he es
cOrted them to their corrio0e
"Well, Janet" said Mr.. Chisholm,
little later, with q sudden change of man
ner, what do you think Of Miss Ray
mond?"
IL think she is very lovely, sir" I an
swered, quietly, "and must congratulate
you on your future happiness. -
ally.
"Won't she make my home happy?
he cried. "Won't she be a patien
Griselda? She'll never give a though
to other mems admiration after the kno
Is tied-no, not she! And she'lllook wei
at tho head of my table; these large
women make much better appearance
than small ones do"
please do not speak so; I wish Won
wouldn't. Indeed it is not honorable, ;
[ broke in.
He walked over to my desk, looked al
me with queer expression.
ooh, pray continue! BY all means
show me my duty to my future wife, nee
Miss Helen Raymond! Janet, You Ger.
tainly missed your vocation; you should
have gone in for the pulpit or the plat
form; those demure eyes would surely
have gained you many a convert Now,
by way of reward for your defence OF
the absent, let me tell you that her part
ing advice was to get rid of you as soon
as possible man would be so much
more useful" Suddenly laying his hand