Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-04

distance, quietly strolling along, was
Gilbert Renshaw. Unconscious of
those watching him, he paused at the
corner, looked at his watch, and, after
q moments hesitation, as if uncertain
what course to pursue, turned into
side street and disappeared.
III.
Monday morning came, and to the
amazement of each and all Mr.. Gold
ing was the first at the office. The
juniors, who were naturally among
the earliest, were warned by the house
keeper in a mysterious whisper that
s'the governor was there" A greater
degree of order and silence reigned
that morning than was usual.
One by one, as the clerks came in,
the various posts were taken up. By
the senior clerks desk stood Mr.. Gold
ing. hard. pitiless expression on his
face. The clock was just Ginning nlne
when the door swung open and Gilbert
Renshaw walked in. He glanced
round, evidently surprised at seeing
Mr.. Goldlng. and then walked toward
his desk. Ere he had taken three
steps the principals voice checked
him:
"You need not trouble to open your
desk, Mr.. ReHshaw."
Gilbert turned round, surprised at
this intimation.
Mr.. Golding had walked across the
office and the two men stood facing
each other. One glance at the stern
face, those keen eyes before him, and
Gilbert saw the others purpose in a
moment.
Everyone in the office looked on,
either stealthilv or openly, with in
creaaing interest and everyone was
guzzled by the way in which the young
man maintained his air of indiffer-
ence. But Mr.. Golding gave but little
time for speculation.
"You left before the time OF Satur-
day., 20 ,,,,... B., .,,,,
cred the other.
"Aad your reasons, sir, for doing
so2"
."My work was finished, and l had
an important engagement"
"Indeed!" sneered his employer.
''But do not allow any of my clerks
to keep important engagement till the
office is closed, and as you have
thought fit to leave at your own time,
you will not be surprised If inform
you that shall not need your services
longer. This is the amount due to
you" and he held out slip Of paper,
but Gilbert made no movement to take
it.
81 understand you Mr.. Golding,
and / am as ready to leave your ser
vice as you are to require me to do so.
Technically, you are in the right, and
1 therefore apologize for having de-
prived you of 10 minutes on Satur-
day. My presence, doubtless, is not
very agreeable to you, but we may
meet again before long; should such
an event happen, you will please un-
derstand that the interview is not of
my seeking. Good-day, gentlemen !"
and, with a comprehensive glance and
bow to the amazed on-looksrs, the
young man turned and quilted tho Of
fee, leaving his employer standing,
as much astonished as anyone, with
the unheeded check still between his
fingers.
".
Eiinor Cragsby sat with her friend
and companion dreamily gazing into
the fire. After while 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.
Pm not sure" she said meditat-
lively, that they are worth the sum- :"
"Then, said her friend. with smile
"Nithout wishing TO be uncompli-
mentary TO the subject of them, l
think can guess their direction"
II wish l could make him see how
useless it is" the girl broke out, ap-
parently irrelevantly.
she doesn't wish to see that" said
her companion. ''As | have often
told you, it appears to me that he has
deliberately resolved to succeed in the
attempt TO win your regard, and he
IS not man Of fine feelings. Moth
ing short of absolute discourtesy or
rudeness would repel him, unless, in
deed, it were the presence of success
full rival" she added IN lower and
meaning tone.
There was something in the last
sentence that brought flush to Elm
or Cragsby's face. She rose from her
seat, and, moving toward the window,
stood looking out. Suddenly she III
tered an exclamation of annoyance.
her friend looked up.
"Here he isl said Elinor, as if in
answer to the look.
Shall leave you2" she said half
rising.
Noon no account" and Elinor,
smiling herself in spite of her vexa
ton, recrossed the room, and with
gentle force pushed the elder lady
into her seat ag ain, and then resumed
her own. Scarcely had she done so
when the servant announced "Mr.
Golding," and that gentleman enter
ed, all bows and smiles.
Ellen" he said, attemptin. to take
her hand" you must know how long
and how devotedly | have been at
tached to you: how have longed for
the hour that should enable me To ap-
proach you and offer myself as suit
or for your hand"
He paused to note the effe ct of this
declaration, which, in reality, he had
carefully prepared before he reached
the house that evening. But he learn
ed nothing from the contemplation of
the face before him. 1t was slightly
averted, as was natural, but in nowIse
did its fair owner seem discomposed.
Mr.. Golding began to feel little UNI
easy, and new idea for the first time
flashed upon his mind. Could there
be anotherG 1t seemed too absurd, but
it would not be dismissed. He rose
from his chair and bent over her for a
last appeal.
Can it be9" he murmared, half re-
proachfully. Have l a rival9"
AS the words left his lips the room
door opened and a voice announced
Mr.. Renshaw. At the sound, Mr..
Goloing, with q sudden start, faced
round and, to his utter establishment,
beheld before him, smiling courteous
ly and with outstretched hand, the
man whom he had dismissed from his
service, whom he had even spoken of
contemptnously to Elinor herself as
lone Of my clerks"
"a friend of yours9' he said, inter
negatively, but in tone that sounded
Stranua in his own earS an6 couSad