The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-10-27

working smoothly, when my correspon-
dence became more involved. Some
building was being done under my d.
rection, and l was obliged to inspect
plans and go into minute details, so
that part of the time Miss Grant could
only perform the manual labor at my
dictation.
1t was wonderful how much less irk-
some found the task than / had an
ticipated. The fears l had had in the
beginning. that my secretary would at
tempt to fascinate me, died. Her re-
serve and dignity equalled my own.
My secretary had been with me six
weeks, and further than that she was
assiduous in her duties and infinitely
charming. knew nothing.
/ have forborne to state that, Just at
this period, was placed in most del
icate and trying position. BY the terms
of my uncle's will, was to marry my
cousin, Alice Thornleigh, or forfeit to
her one-half the estate.
The latter consideration would by no
means have induced me to give my
hand without my heart, since was al
ready abundantly provided with this
worlds goods; but / felt bound in hon.
or to carry out my uncle's wish, so far
as meeting my cousin, whom ! had not
seen since child, and endeavoring, if
possible, to make her the offer enforced
upon me by his generosity.
l found her very beautiful girl, but
utterly cold and Indifferent in manner.
1t certainly, however, 1 told myself,
would not be difficult to learn to love
her, and resolutely set myself to the
task; yet at the end of four weeks / was
no nearer the desired result than at the
beginning of that period.
One day, when had inst left Miss
Grant to her duties, my butler startled
me by the announcement that Mrs. and
Miss Thornleigh had honored me by a
call.
1--WE are so anxious to see you in
your bachelor apartments, my dear
boy!' exclaimed my aunt, as welcom-
ed her, ''that could not resist the i'm
pulse to bring Alice to see you. Now
you must take us all over, and show us
everything"
mot there" said, as we entered
the library, and my aunt had moved to-
wards the door her quick eye had de-
LeCtcu. nat is my uen!
But as fate would have it, hearing my
voice and utterly unsuspecting anything
so unwonted as visitors, Miss Grant,
wishing to ask me some question, her.
self opened the door. For q moment
the ladies regarded each other in
silence; then, with burning blush,
Miss Grant withdrew, but not before my
aunt had drawn herself up with con-
scious virtue and chilling disapproval
"My DEAR" she said, turning to Alice,
''we have evidently made mistake in
our intrusion. We will remedy it as far as
we may by bidding your cousin good
morning."
''You must not misunderstood the
position, however, aunt" / replied, ca
gerly. 1.-The young lady whom you
have just seen is my secretary and
amanuensis."
81 only am to blame for having
brought Alice here" was the naughty
reply; and the two ladies swept out of
my doors.
/ stood, troubled and perplexed, for
moment, then went into the study.
Miss Grant was again busily writing,
but l fanced that her face was very pale,
and wondered if she had overheard
my aunts words. She did not long
leave me in doubt.
'It will be two months tomorrow,
Mr.. Courtney, since entered upon nay
engagement with you. Will you kindly |
accept this short notice of my resigna-
tionP''
"Your resignation You wish to leave
me just when you have learned to I'M
derstand all my ways, and have made |
me so dependent upon youp'
So dependent. Had 1 really uttered |
those words, and having uttered could
retract themp A thousand new ideas
went whirling through my brain, but
her voice oalmed them.
II have known always" she said,
''that my position here was somewhat
an anomalous one, but thought could
reconcile its necessity to myself. find
that ] am wrong. Thanks to your gen.
crosby, Mr.. Courtney, my need is not so
great MS when ] applied to you, and l
shall doubtless be able before long to
find some other employment. But how
ever this may be, shall always feel for
you the deepest gratitude"
"You say you will be grateful, Sid
ney" / answered. "Then prove it by
remaining with me. cannot do with
out my secretary; but we will give the
post another name-I cannot do with
out my wife. Sidney, darling, when
you stole my heart do not know, but 1
think on that first morning when l de-
termined to harden it against the wiles
and destinations of Sidney Grant,
So l won my wife, and so my Cousin
Alice came into half my uncles fortune.