The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-31
LEsLEY's CONSPIRACY.

walnut and plate-gla9S raining around
his "ofllce" in the corner Of the count
ing.room of tho Daily and Wechtv
Herald, just as sweet ringing laugh
from the composing-room opposite
came to his ears.
''Its Lesley Lord that is," Peter
Furman, the foreman, said, as he saw
the look of inquiry on Mr. Cliffords
face. As pretty girl as ever stepped
in shoes, but spoiled and humoured
until she thinks she can do as she likes"
Mr.. Clifford looked through the open
door--he was the new b0ok-keeper,
just entering upon his duties that morn
ing.
$50 that is Miss Lord--the young
lady with tho round white arms and
shining teeth, and the hair piled in o
gold-cOlored mass on top Of her head ?
Well, Furman, she is rather cookbook
ing-certainly not as handsome as one
would be led TO think from your descrip-
ton"
Several hours later, when Mr.. Cliff
ford was thinking II was nearly time
for supper, a merry little clatter OF
boot-heels sounded on the floor, coming
towards hiss oilice, and he looked up to
see Miss Lesley Lord standing at tho
dome-shaped opening In front Of him.
"Mr. Clifford" she said, with o
graceful little arch of her pretty eye
brows--"at least, l suppose it is Mr.
Clifford, the new book-keeperp"
81 am at your service" he responded.
looking straightforward at tho flushed
dimped cheeks and little white teeth.
II would like to have an advance on
Saturday nights pay, If you please"
The 'if you please" was very much
at variance with the imperiousness of
Der demand.
''You would like an advancep" he
reiterated gravely, somewhat surprised.
Lesley gave provoked little toss Of
her head, tapped her gloved fingers on
the plate-glass shelf.
THAT is what I said, believe"
"Am TO understand il is the custom
In this office TO advance money TO tho
employees upon all occasionsp"
II don't know anything about what
the employees do; l know | always re-
ceive an advance when l ask it."
Mr.. Clifford closed his day-book
quietly.
"a think the rules of the Office forbid
such precedent, Miss Lord Frank"
to the ofiice-boy busily directing the
mail, 'just light up; will you ?"
Lesley stood perfectly astonished at
the polite yet cavalier treatment she
had received. The idea! This new man
putting on such airs to her--the ac-
knowledged belle and beauty Of the girls
who sot type in the Herald composing
room.
Frank lighted the gas, and Mr.. Cliff
ford began counting the money in tho
cash-box, while Lesley, in passion,
stood staring at him.
"You don't intend to let mehave itp"
she said presently, in q low indignant
voice that was irresistibly charming
oil that.
Certainly not--you nor anyone"
And Lesley sent him one look, per
fectly savage with anger
An hour later, in the midst Of driv.
ing rain-storm, Mr.. Clifford stepped
out Of the tram-car in pretty, lonely
suburb of the city, to which he was nj
entire stranger--and after looking
about him several minutes. sans UNI
brella or overshoes, he began dimly ;,
realize that he did not know which o
the half-dozen houses within sight wa
the one where his new landlady, Mrs
Rawson. lived.
"A charming position TO find onesel
in" no thought. as the rain soaked
through his clothes, and no discovered
that the mud was disagreeably uncer
tain to wade through, especially in the
darkness.
"I'll make q bee-line for the nearest
light" he decided, and forthwith set
out for little cottage, not SO appalling
ly far off, where he arrived In due time.
and, shivering with the cold dampness
Of his clothes, he was cheered by the
prompt opening of the door by a placid
faced elderly lady, who answered him
IN the cheeriest, most unconventional
fashion.
"Mrs. Rawson's! Why, you won't
think Of going away up there in such q
storm as this. Come in, and let me SEQ
! cant make you comfortable for q
while. I've got boy Just about your
age, somewhere in the West--and IL he
should be out In the storm"
her mother-love was sweet and strong
on her gently womanly face, and he
stepped In, gladly yet reluctantly.
y am 50 muddy and dripping-I am
John Clifford. book-keeper A. .hs
Herald office, ma am, and . stranger in
the city, "'s'' :"
His hostess insisted on his uoino IN
and In less than no time he was fes,,n =
decidedly comfortable beside the omar
fire, Ia borrowed slippers and rapidly.
\ drying clothes.
'T6e new book keeper Of the Herald
Office. think you said : My nice,
: works there and she's been talking
about the new man for week or 81
II believe all tho girls wore anxiou
\ TO SEQ you. Mr.. Clifford"
The kindly lady hustled about TO gci
the supper ready In the little kitchen
and NJ khO 1nfaat ataOe ri nrocoods n m