The Portland daily press., 1883-03-06
THE PRESS.
tTime.l
Miss Miller.
leo. o1uprp FROM YrsrrnpAY.l

late So took batch tonight. The front
office was closed, so made my way upstairs
to the overseer in the composing room.
And there was yonr MS. lying on his desk,
waiting to be given out to the type settlers in
the morning. Oh my fingers fairly tingled
to take it away, but of course conld not,
You must.'
For few moments l could not reply;
strange wild thoughts rushed through my
mind, and felt half delirious with a sudden
Joy. She must be favorably inclined to me,
thought, TO take so much interest in me
and, ia Imagination, thought l saw the
sweet love light in her dear eyes. Was it
possible she might love me?
But strove to collect my thoughts, and
commenced to stammer reply. thought
she noticed my confusion, for she blushed
slightly, and looked down. At length l
managed to articulate: I will get the MS !;
after you have braved so much for me it
would be cowardly in me to pause
So saying, rose, and held out my hand
to take nv leave.
Don't be so FAST she replied, smiling.
How will you get in? You never thought
Of that, suppose. Now you must take this
roll of MS. and if the doorkeeper should
question you, you can easily show him this,
and say it is from Miss Miller, which she
neglected to leave this evening, and you will
20 upstairs. IdsS ny MN nufJleQly, SO lDab
he can ask no further questions. and then
go upstairs to the second floor. The over
seer's desk is close by the door of the COM
posirg-room, and it was on that desk l saw
your MS
oh, thank you; / will manage, never fear
| exclaimed, boldly. Goodnight, Mrs. Nil
Ter. Goodnight, Miss Miller: thank you
very much for yonr kindness
With hasty steps set forth, and l remem-
Der now how brightly the stars were flashing
in the dark blue sky, and how quiet and
calm they seemed in contrast to nv own
wild and tumultuous feelings.
When | arrived at the office, / walked
quickly forward, past the timekeeper's desk
He was at his post, and / remember now
how sharply he cried out after me to know
what wanted. To his query | returned a
hurried answer, almost uninteligible, to the
effect that 'all was right and that wanted
to see Mr.. Brown, the overseer, in great
hurry with some important copy. felt
1t was now meek or nothing and resolved
to act as quickly and boldly as possible.
Fastening up the ricl1ety stairs (by the
by, why are the stairs to the composing
rooms always so rickety9) as fast as could, l
presently arrived at the composing room
under the care of Mr.. Brown. Part OF it
was in darkness, for nearly ali the men bad
gone home. Some of those who remained
turned sharply at my entrance, and scruti-
nized me closely. This was the crucial
point, and knew it. Snmmoning all my
boldness, therefore, | walked toward the
desk, and said, in as confident tone as l
could assume: 'Ohi is Mr.. Brown gone?
Well, will place the ''copy" on his desk
He will know what it is
At that moment saw my long-lost MS. j;
my eyes, l knew, must have flashed with
eager joy; stretched forth my hand and
Crashed II! Oh! what thrill of delight pass
ed through mel
AT thai moment, heard cold, matter-of-
fact voice near saying:
What copy is it you have brought, sir?,
A cold PRESERVATION broke out over my
forehead. This troublesome man would
prevent me from taking it, now that it was
literally in my hands.
/ ans wered
Copy from Miss Miller: would you see the
number Of the last page?
The man looked at me curiously: ooh |
daressv it all right he said. Anyhow,
there is no hurry He evidently regarded
MISS Millers' copy as quite a secondary
affair, although, dearest girl, it meant much
to her.
However, l said, very politely:I shall be
much obliged if you will tell me the number
Of the. last page; Miss Miller particularly
"AohD0 W hiOH b1dL Tall on all flSQL. III
would not take you a min lte.'
Politeness conquered him, as it usually
does everybody, and he turned away mut,er-
ing.
Instantly l whipped my long sought MS.
off the desk, into my pocket, and followed
him In minute | was at his side, and he
could not have told had remained at the
desk second after he left it. The last page
of Miss Millers copy was soon found, and
of course the few pages had brought fol-
lowed it exactly.
With many apologies, therefore, for troubl
ing him so late at night, l departed, too Ella
ted al my success to think what might occur
when the loss was discovered.
As decended the stairs, heard one of
the men cry: Everything will be stopped in
the morning, in order to get on with the -
And / chuckled as thought: No my friend,
you are wrong for once, for the MS. is now
in my possession AT the door the time
keeper stopped me. He was not to be fooled
out of an answer this time. What name,
sir, please, and on what businessp
l satisfied him, and was just about to pass
out into the street, when the man to whom
had spoken in the composing-room hurried
down stairs, and exclaimed:
Not SO fast there, please: fork out that
MS. you've stolenp
Nv.
stood stone still, and all the blood SEEM
ed to leave my face until even my lips were
ashy white. Ny heart seemed to stop beat
ing, and so overwhelmed was I with shame
and confusion that l longed for the GROUND
to suddenly open and swallow me up.
But / summoned all my fortitude, and
answered, as boldly as possible: How dare
You speak to me thus; swear have no MS.
but what is my own
Very likely sneered the man, but You'll
excuse me if l ask to be satisfied. A very
valuable MS. that's got to be all in type
this time tomorrow, has gone from Browns
desk, and no ones been near it but YOU.
You and me- l replied. You must re-
member. we both stood there. How could I
have taken it Without your knowledge?
How do pickpockets clear out your watch?'
said the man. You light-fngered gentry
can do anything
My face flushed hot enough now l rails
ed my clenched fist. Say that again. 1
replied, 'and | will knock You down.
No doubt sneered he; anyhow, let's
see you searched. You don't go till I'm
satisfied. So turn out your pockets; l
thought it was queer. so much fuss about
that there twopenny-half penny copy O. Miss
Miller's that amt wanted for an age to
come Now, sir, if you please, turn 'em
out, or shall we send for bobby? This ERE
MS. was left in my charge, you know; it's
very particular. | shall ger into the DEVILS
own row if there's anything happens to it.
'Tain't likely I'd be agoin' to get into
row for you, is it?'
Very WE'LL said coolIy, 4 will soon
satisfy you Let us go into this room.' And
| pointed to the open door of the waiting
room, and motioned them to enter In
making this proposition, ] had vague idea
that in the minute while their backs were
turned / would transfer the MS. from nv
pocket to my hat or my boot, but just at this
critical moment a fair white hand suddenly
thrust open the swing door leading into the
lobby. near which l stood, and from out the
shadows on the other side sweet voice,
which thrilled through me with strange de-
light, and which had never heard before
TO day, whispered softly, Give me the MS
No soner said than done. The white hand |
was Withdrawn, the door swung noiselessly |
back, and in moment more / stood in the |
waiting room, and cheerfnlly turned out nv |
pockets before the printers men. OF course. |
40 MS. was forthcoming, and quickly left |
hem, the one looking perfect picture of |
tupid establishment, and the other mutter |
ng curses upon the lost MS.
Hurrying along the gas-lit street, soon
anne up with Miss Miller, who, bashful and |