The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1882-01-19
lESLEY'S CONSPIRACY.

Mr.. John Clifford looked over the
walnut and plate-elass railing around
his "ofice in the corner of the count
ing-room of the daily and weekly
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.. Cifords
face. GAS pretty girl as ever stepped
in shoes, but spoiled and humored
until she thinks she can do as she
likes"
Mr.. Clifford looked through the open
door-he was the new bookkeeper,
Just entering upon his duties that
morning.
ESQ that is Miss Lord-the young
lady with the round white arms and
shining teeth, and the hair piled in q
gold-colored mass on top of her head?
Well, Furman, she is rather good-look-
ing-certainIy not as handsome as one
would be led to think from your de-
scription."
Several hours later, when Mr.. Clifford
was thinking it was nearly time for sup
per, merry little clatter of boot-heels
sounded on the floor, coming toward
his Office, and he looked up to see Miss
Lesley Lord standing at the dome
-sheped openiug, IN front Of hira---
s'Mr. Clifford" she said, with q grace
ful little arch of her eyebrows-"at
least, I suppose it is Mr.. Clifford, the
newlbookkeeper?"
81 am at your service" he responded,
locking straightforward at the flushed
dimpled cheeks and little white teeth.
81 would like to have an advance on
Saturday nights pay, if you please"
The eff you please" was very much
at variance with the imperiousness Of
her demand.
"You would like an advance" he re-
iterated gravely, somewhat surprised.
Lesley gave provoked little toss OF
her head, and tapped her fingers on the
plate glass shelf.
"That is what 7 said, believe"
cam I to understand it is the custom
of this Office to advance money to the
employees upon all occasions?"
"I don't know anything about what
the employees do; know I always re-
ceive an advance when I ask it."
Mr.. Clifford closed his day-book
quietly.
ST think the rules of the Office for
bid such a precedent, Miss Lord.
Frank" to the Office boy busiIy direct
ing the mail, "iust light up; will
youY'
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
acknowledged belle and beauty of the
girls who set type in the Herald COM
posing-room.
Frank Lighted the gas, and Mr.. Cliff.
ford began co uniting the money in the
cash box. while Lesley, in passion,
stood staring at him.
"You don't intend to let me have
I'll? she said, presently, in low, indig-
nant voice that was irresistibly charm
ing for all that.
"Certainly not-you nor any one."
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 an
entire stranger-and after looking about
him for several minutes, sans umbrella
or overshoes, he began dimly to realize
that he did not know which of the half.
dozen houses within sight was the one
where his new landlady, Mrs. Rawsop,
lived.
GA charming position to find oneself
in," he thought, as the rain soaked