The National tribune., 1882-08-19

when am out" he explained, and to talk
with people who would waste my time when
/ am in. and for such other general assistance
rs | NAV need" He was not O man OF words
He asked few questions, contenting himself
with learning she was stranger IN town,
had lost both father and mother-the former
within six months-and knew nothing, from
experience, of the duties attending the place
for which she had applied. He did not even
ask for reference of any kind, perhaps see
ing in her face and manner what made that
formality needless.
"You NAV come on trial. and see how we
like each other" he said, and, to her great
relief, the important matter was settled tor
the time at least.
The life on which she now entered was
not very stirring or eventful yet 1t was IN
teresting from its novelty; and beside the
satisfaction of earning her own living, 1t was
not without some quiet pleasure. She was
not in the least obtuse or unteachable, and
she felt from the first that her efforts to suit
her employer were meeting with success.
Not that he ever praised her in so many
words, but he found no fault, and with him
that was equivalent to praise from another.
Il think we shall get on" he said, at the
end of the first week, and she had taken
that as permission to stay.
Gradually the newness of her surround
ings wore off, and she settled down among
them as naturally as the great safe or the
desks, one of which was now devoted to her
especial use She could not tiatter herself,
however, on often holding much more I'M
portant place in the thoughts of their COM
mon master than these bulky pfeces OF
Office furniture. Beyond giving directions
about her work he seldom noticed her or
seemed aware of her existence. Yet she
liked him, and while she wondered at her
liking, held herself TO be lucky in having
found so kind an employer. She thought
him the most unsociable man she had ever
met; but he was also the busiest, and conse-
quently could not have much time for I'M
necessary talk.
1t did not take long to see she was in no
way confidential clerk, or that Mr.. Allison
had q great deal of business at whose nature
she could only guess. The stray house
hunters who were coming continually seemed
to interest him little, and were usually re-
ferred to her; but almost every morning he
was out for several hours, and he had fire.
auent callers with whom he held long and
close conversations on affairs which, in her
mind at least, were invested with great I'M
portance One gentleman in particular she
began to notice, from his almost daily ap-
pearance and the intimacy she saw growing
ND between him and Mr.. Allison. He went
by the name of Morton, but she could not
allay doubt of his right to be so called.
He looked decidedly foreign, and, she tancled,
like an adventurer; though not having had
personal acquaintance with one of that class,
she would not have insisted on the latter
resemblance He had never addressed
word to her, yet she disliked him emphatic
| ally. His bold though brief look of admi-
ration the first time ne had seen her, had
preiudiced her against him, and, since then,
her disgust at him had been steadily increas-
! ing. though from causes the most undefina-
| BILE. His continued comings and his admls-
sion into the good graces OF Mr.. Allison made
| her uneasy, and she was sure would re-
! suit in no good to the latter. From various
| bits of their talks picked up at different
times, she surmised that Mr.. Morton was
irving to engage Mr. Allison in heavy
speculation, to which he inclined favorably.
Further than this she knew little, but she
wished earnestly for something to happen
and dissuade him from such a step. Some
times she reflected that her anxiety seemed
rather out OF place. and as Mr.. Allison was
a business man well able to take care of
himself, any advice or interference from an
inexperienced girl would be more than alb
surd.
She hardly confessed it to herself, but this
anxiety she thought perhaps unwarrantable,
was the result Of strong and growing inter
est in her employer more than in his affairs
of business. She looked on him as friend,
and though usually silent One it did not
need words TO tell her he was well disposed
toward her. or to realize that the best OF
feeling had como to exist between them
He was very kind to her in his way, and il
was not an unsubstantial way, either. In
. giving her work he was careful she should
not tire herself OF be TOO much confined; and
what was of quite as much Importance to
, her-he paid her rather more than she
, thought she earned. AS there were times
, every day when he had nothing for her K
: do, he suggested that she provide hersel
with such occupation as she chose in th'
r way of needle-work or reading, and he ever
r left lying in the Office copies of late periodi
1 Gals and interesting new books, which HI
incidently placed at her disposal. While
$ she took care not to abuse her privileges
she accepted these and nameless other littl
e favors with more thankfulness than sh
r dared express-for any special recognition o
/ them seemed to annoy him, as If he preferred
e their being treated as matters of course.
e After while, when she got used to hi
l quiet ways, she came to like them; ant
/, some of her first impressions wearing off, sh
: forgot she had ever found him unsociable
: They were company for each other in tn
b Office, and even though they did not oftel
r speak, she was glad to have him there.
e She had speculated a great deal about hi
r 7 Il, 1a rn