The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-13
who has been glad to surrender 1t to him
almost entiralv of lafa

who has been glad to surrender 1t TO nun
almost entirely of late.
With such thoughts and a thousand sweet
or hopes behind the impassive mask of his
face, the junior partner of Stratton & STRAIT
ton pursues bis way to the grand mansion
he calls home. He makes no explanation
to his aristocratic mother and sister of the
afternoons walk with Miss Vix Dean
none that they will believe, at least, in view
Of his ridiculous displays of mock-embar-
rassment at their persistent questioning.
His father looks up moment from his ev-
ening paper on hearing his pet stenograph-
er's name mentioned in connection with his
sons. But the eyes that meet his are as
clear and straightforward as ever and in
some way dissipate the sternness that has
gathered on the proud old mans face. Rex
is Stratton! and therefore too honorable
for aught but the most chivalrous regard for
the good name of the young lady employees
in the establishment of Stratton & Stratton.
Good old man! to always expect perfec-
ton where perhaps there has been no temp
tation to this same boy of his-this cool
headed, Indifferent business man as fair
women and the world generally have come
to regard him. But the old man is right 10
his trust, and honor him for it! If you
cannot trust a friend one who has never de-
ceived you-at the first faintest breath of
suspicion, your friendship is but poor stuff
indeed
"Mal soft qui NAL pense."
sob, mother, beliese it is defeatr' is
the mournful cry from Vix next morning at
sight of the paper before her. She is draw
ing on her gloves, preparatory to a quick
walk to the office, and is hurriedly scanning
the latest news from an extra that her broth
er Jimmie has been at much pains to obtain,
with the mournful hope in his young soul
that it will bring her some degree of CON-
fort. She is not so blind or confident but
that she can see the halt-heartedness of the
hopes expressed by the leading editorial.
And there is a 'uournful droop, more real
than pretended, that the rose-red lips take
on ten minutes later when she appears at
the Office and passes to her desk, bestowing
on the way, faint "Good-morning'' on Mr.
Rex Stratton, who has been at unusual
words
He finds no opportunity during the day
for more than the ordinary brief courtesies;
but Vx is nervously aware that the smiling,
watchful eyes of her employer are cognizant
Of her every look and motion, and the
knowledge is so startling that she makes
countess mistakes aud erasures ia her work
before the day is over. What can it mean
that she can no longer raise her eyes to his
without feeling the color leap to her cheeks
under the strange look she meets there? Is
his glance magnetic that she is forever con.
scious of it, and SO forever making senseless
efforts to AVOID it?
He says nothing to her about the political
outlook, though on his return from a tour
of the store he carries on very audible dia-
logue with old Blackstone, the head book
keeper, concerning the latest returns aud
their absurd effect on the woe-begone faces
of most of the clerks throughout the various
departments, clerks who are mainly on her
side, as Vix instantly concludes.
Al last the day is over, and she is glad to
receive the longed-for permission to cease
the irksome scrbhling. Mr.. Stration pauses
moment at her desk to say his usual quiet
goodnight" He seems to BE- suddenly Ie-
minded of something important, for he turns
back to say:
'Do you know. Miss Vix, that I am at
MO acith oil .
raphers over the very simple matter of put
ting your Christian name in the possessive?
l lave been thinking of fitting inscription
for this little reminder-to be presented to
you when claim fulflmeut OF our wager,
putting in her hand picture OF the most
forlorn-lookng rooster thai it had ever been
her luck to look upon. "No, you need not
say It'll [ realize all you would tell me of
the danger of being too premature In my re-
minders: but was anxious about the in
scription, you know. How Is that?" calling
her attention to some staring letters in red
ink that read-VIX'S BIRD. So, this is
the result of all that clipping with her own
scissors, filched under her very eyes, too, for
this same work, clipping that had seemed
so uncomfortable to her nerves on edgel
'You think it good?" in the tone of con-
noisseur over rare painting, while she re-
mains speecnless at his audacity; "well,
that was the way it struck me, only l was
so uncertain about that possessive, whether
it should be Vix's or Vix-en's" With these
last words, he bends hastily down as though
examining her work, and says low and with
lingering tenderness. Goodnight again, and
forgive me!-Vixen." In another moment
he is out of the room before Vix can recoy-
er her dazed wits.
1t is very bewildered little head that tries
to follow out the usual order of duties de-
volving upon Stratton & Stratton's short
hand clerk for the next few days. The result
OF the election is still unsettled-to some in
quiring minds at least, and on them Yix
pins her faith.
She cannot for her life tell what course to
take with her employer, who is so silly tan
talzng in his ways that she is kept in con-
slant state of nervousness, ready to laugh
one minute and cry the next for "just MOTH
ing at all" as she tries to assure herself. He
is never tired of holding forth with Black
stone over the utter uselessness of question:
ing the validity of the election, "a thing
| which was virtually settled two weeks back"
| to his mind.
And so it would appear. For all the bets,
wise and otherwise, that have been made in
the store are now being promptly paid, with
much good natured raillery from the bead
Of the firm. So much is said and done about
paying uff these ''ttle obligations that Vix
presently finds she is being haunted by hers
now that hope is almost over. She main
tains a shy composure. however, until the
second Tuesday following election, and then
she is fain to acknowledge herself beaten
and in Mr.. Stratton's debt. To whatP
| She takes the question home to ponder on
| over night and does to such purpose that
she is actually pale with anxiety and confu-
| sion when her ''credtor" joiDs her on Der
way to the Office next morning. He does
not notice her distress apparently, but dis
cusses the weather, business, and whatever
comes uppermost to his mind until they
have reached their destination and there is