National Republican., 1885-12-16

services longer. This is the amount due to
you," and Mr.. Golding held out slip OF
paper, but Gilbert made no movement to
take 1t.
~ understand you, Mr. Golding, and
am as ready to leave your service as you are
to require me to do So Technically, you
are In the right, and l therefore apologize
for having deprived you Of ten minutes on
Saturday. My presence, doubtless, is not
very agreeable TO you, but we may meet
again before long; should such an event
happen, you will please understand that
the Interview Is not OF my seeking. Good
day, gentlemen;" aud with comprehen-
awe glance and bow to the amazed on
lockers, the young man turned and quilted
the office, leaving his employer standing, as
much astonished as any one, with the un-
needed check still between his fingers.
~.
Elinor Cragsby sat with her friend and
companion dreamily gazing into the ire.
After awhile the elder lady looked up from
the book she was reading.
"a penny for your thoughts, Nell !"
The girl started at the voice, and the
words had TO be repeated before she seemed
| to understand them.
"I'm not sure" she said. meditatively,
"that they are worth the sum-"
"Then," said her friend, with smile,
"without wishing TO be uncomplimentary
to the subject of them, / think can guess
| their direction"
~ wish could make him see how use
less 1t is, !" the girl broke out, apparently
irre'evantly.
"He doesn't wish to see that" said her
companion. "As have often told you, II
appears TO me that he has deliberately re-
| solved to succeed In the attempt TO win
your regard, and he is not man OF fine
feelings. Nothing short OF absolute dis
courtesy or rudeness would repel him, UNI
less, indeed, 1t were the presence Of sue
cessful rival" she added in lower aud
| a meaning tone.
There was something in the last sentence
that brought flush TO Elinor Cragsby' g
face. She rose from her seat, and, moving
toward the window, stood looking out.
Suddenly she uttered an exclamation OF an
noyance. Her friend looked up.
"Here he is W said Elinor, as II In answer
to the look.
| "Shall leave you :" she said, half rising.
| "No--on no account" aud Elinor smil-
| ing herself In spite Of her vexatlon, re.
| crossed the room, and with gentle force
pushed the elder lady into her seat again
and then resumed her own. Scarcely had
| she done so when the servant announced
"Mr, Golding," and that gentleman entered,
all bows and smiles.
"Ellen," he said, attempting to take her
hand, ''you must know how long and how
devotedly have been attached TO you; how
| have longed for the hour that should en-
able me to approach you and ofier myself
as suitor for your hand.n
He paused TO note the effect OF this decla'
ration, which, In reality, he had carefully
prepared before he reached the house that
evening. But he learned nothing from the
contemplation OF the face before him. IL
was slightly averted, as was natural, but In
nowise did Its fare owner SCENE discom
posed. Mr.. Golding began TO feel a little
uneasy, and new idea for the first tint
flashed upon his mind. Gould there b'
anotherS 1t seemed too absurd, but 4
would not be dismissed. He rose from
his chair, and bent over her for last ap
peal.
"Can't II be-" he murmured, half re
proachfully. slave / a rival ~
AS the words left his lips the room doc
opened, and voice announced "Mr. Ren
shaw" At the sound Mr.. Golding, with
sudden start, faced round and, TO bis utte
astonishment, beheld before bin, smiling
courteously and with outstretched hand
the man whom he had dismissed from hi
service, whom he had even spoken OF con
temptuously to Elinor herself as "one
my clerks"
IA friend of yours ~ he said, interroga
lively, but In tone that sounded strang
in bis own ears, and caused the other thre
TO look curiously at him.
The girl hlushed, smiled, but did not an
swer, and Mrs. Seaforth, who had risen ant
approached them, came TO her rescue.
"Mr. Renshaw was friend OF Mr.. Crago
by's and is still a friend Of ours.n
, "Mr. Renshaw," said the other "proh
ably has good reasons for his friendship
Fortune-hunters usually have"
Gilbert Renshaw took step forward.
"That is true as a general statement, MI
! Golding,n he said, with all his former cas-