The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-06
CHAPTER II.

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 CHAPTER II.
 It was half-past f,ur when Crisp, after threading divers of the city ways, in which the crowds were now rapidly les sening, turned again into Change alley A look of depression-a haggard, care worn look-was upon the young mans face as he crossed it, his head bent down Suddenly sweet, glad cry-ohi so ou, of place there-struck Epon his ear, and ne stopped and looked round with a start, to meet the next instant two little sloved hands thrust into his, two brown eyes swimming with tears looking into his black ones. "Oh, Ernest the girl cried-she was young and pretty, but dressed very plainly in black, and until this moment had worn her veil down aren't you glad to see me?'
 Glad, my darling2" he cried, all tn c care gone out of his face; "yes, very glad. You know am glad"
 And you do love me as much as ever," she pleaded with her eyes fixed so very anxiously on his.
 "Yes," he said simply. Nor did she doubt him now, though during the last fortnight of enlargement following that wretched petty quarrel she had fancied all sorts of dreadful things. "More and more every day, dearest. It was all my fault, Ethel. l had been worried and vexed by business, and visited it upon you"
 The girl looked up at him with cling ing eyes as if it had been a privilege he had granted her. Then she said, but not responsibility, "I have been here half an hour. expected you b.fore."
 "Did you2" he answered. "lt was so good of you to be here, generous of you, like yourselfl But you must come in for minute with me, E,hel The house is quite empty. The care-taker know has leave to be away this afternoon {; and Critchlow, our cashier, will have left by now"
 "l don't think ought" she said smil- ing.
 "Nonsense ]" he replied gayly. "I must put my books away now, and come back after tea. And see, if you are think ing of the proprieties, there is a police man watching us with the most unfatter- ing interest"
 He opened the door with his key, and she came sh--ly in. Once inside, how ever, and the door shut upon the inquisi. tive policeman-well, it is no matter to Jus how Crisp welcomed her. But this satisfactorily performed, they went up stairs, his arm around her waist-a strange sight in that dusty place-their steps echoins in the empty house. At the top of the stairs the door into the large clerks room was sjar. Crisp pushed it open and led her in. "And this is where you do your work2" she asked, devouring with wide open eyes the long bare room, with its four windows, it's row of desks and stools along one side, and the glass box in the far cor ner.
 "No," he answered, laughing" am supposed to be cut above this, darling. Only am obliged to be very careful not to throw stones." He led her up the room, and unlocking the door of his glass house took her in. How delight full it was to help her up on his high stool, and hold her therefor, of course, being unaccustomed to it, she might have be- come giddyl And see her fit her little boots to the rail of the desk, and unlock the latter and come at once face to face with her own photograph! And then to ss: her blush. all pleasure at this proof of his hdelityl It was all so delightful that he wondered why, though they had met in Change alley on Saturday after moons before, he had never brought her to see his office.
 "And where do those doors lead to? Don't Ernest; please leave my hair alone. How do you know, sir, that there is no one there2"
 He stopped at once-whatever he was doing-and dark shadow fell across his face. "That is Critchlow's room," he said. And, by love, he's left h,s key in 1t There's nice piece of careless ness!" But there was no elation in his voice. It seemed as if a shadow had fallen on them both, from the moment her eyes were drawn to that door. It was not just in front of .hem-the door leading to the partners rooms stood there-but in the corner on the left. I'll take the key and convict him at any rate of this," the young man said moodiy, and went out of his glass case, and crossed the floor to the door. The girl followed him, strange sudden feel ing of the emptiness of the house upon her. How hollow Ernest's footsteps rang. The sun too had gone behind a cloud, and the room seemed dreary, dusty, and cold too, for she shivcred.
 Crisp, after trying the cashiers door and finding it locked, dipped the key out and put 1t into his pocket. Then he locked his own door and pocketed that key also. It was strange perhaps that he took no farewell kiss in the hall, but he opened the outer door hastily, and seemed to breathe more freely when they were out of the alley and in the peopled street.
 They took so long a walk, Ethel telling her lover of her latest troubles at Main- tree House, . young ladies' seminary where she vas tolerated a teacher of Ensaish, and Ernest con6ding the dread l fnl matter of the error in his accounts, that when they parted he gave up all l thought of returning to his books.