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

swered him in the cheeriest, most IN
conventional fashion.
"Mrs. Rawsor's? Why, you won't
think of going away up there in such a
storm as this. Come in, and see If l
can't make you comfortable for while.
I've got boy just about your age
somewhere in the West-and if he
should be out in the storm"
Her mother-love was sweet and
strong on her gentle, wonanly face,
and he stepped in, gladly, yet .reluct-
antlv.
"I am so muddy and dripping-I
am John Clifford, bookkeeper at the
Herald, ma'an, and stranger in the
city"
His hostess insisted on his going in,
and in less than no time he was feeling
decidedly comfortable beside the open
fire, in borrowed slippers and rapidly
drying clothes.
"The new bookkeeper Of the Herald
Office, I think you said? My niece
works there-and she's been talking
about the new man for a week or 80
Il believe all the girls were anxious to
see you, MIR. Clifford"
The kindly lady bustled about to get
the supper ready in the little kitchen,
and at the latest stage Of the proceed
ings she took the lamp out with her,
while she broiled the ham.
'"You won't mind sitting in the fire.
light a minute or two, I know. We're
poor folks, and have to economize in
OIL"
And second after the lamp had
gone, and the ssvory odor of the broil-
ing ham foated into his hungry sense,
side door opened, and somebody came
in, bringing a cool rainy feeling with
her-for it was a girl, in waterproof and
rubbers.
"I came so neer staying at Jenny
Balls for supper, auntie-I would have
stayed only I was afraid you'd be wor-
ried about me. We did have so much
to talk about" and a saucy little laugh
rippled through the dusk as she
pumped herself down on the floor to
take off her rubbers. "Thenew book
keeper came, auntie-iust the hand
soonest fellow, with-oh-heavenly eyes
and lovely mustache, but he is too
mean and hateful for anything-to me,
auntie, you wouldn't believe it, would
you9 Well we girls'll punish him !
We've made conspiracy between us,
and I'm to make him fall in love with
me- zap know d then ana t He-
ject him haughtily, and let-.-Auntie,
have you been in the cellar all this time
I've been talking?'
And as Mrs. Cummings appeared at
the head of the cellar stairs Lesley
Lord picked up the lamp and carried it
back into the little dining-room, while
Mr.. Clifford arose from his easy-chair
as the lamplight and Lesley's amazed
looks fell upon him simultaneously.
He laughed as he extended his hand,
while Leslie, bewildered beyond meas
ure, stood stock-still in the middle of
the room, lamp in hand, her cheeks
flushing painfully.
"Pray forgive me. [ certainly did
not mean to be 80 hateful, T assure you,
Miss Lord. Won't you allow me to re-
ieve you OF the lamp? and then
please begin at once the part of the
programme you are to fill in the con-
spiracy against me. 7 can promise you
you it will be the most agreeable to
me-"
"I-didn't-know you were here"
Lesley stammered hysterically, and
then she did the best possible thing
under the circumstances - laughed
heartily.
ct dare say 1 shall never hear the
last of it," she said. "Well, Mr..
Clifford, can stand it if you can"
eff you will let me 1 will stay the
remainder OF the evening and try" he
returned: gravely.
Well, he stayed, and Lesley was
most bcwitching, and after he had gone
home she went to bed and cried herself
to sleep for very shame at her stupid
idiotic blunder.
"He will despise me, I know he will" !"
she sobbed to herself, "and he is just
splendid"
But instead of despising her Mr..
Clifford asked her to marry him six
months afterward
81 will say Yes just because I like
to be contrary" she laughed. "I said