The Mineral argus., 1885-06-25

thought Of the time Mrs.
Warner would have trying to make
II out.
Bismarck came in directly. looking
pretier than ever.
..Sav. Bis" coaxed |. lounging up TO
her desk. ..Own up now that you are
just rs absur,lly in love with me as 1
am with you"
She turned upon me a look which
would nave turned the head Of old
>amp himself. and said in assumed in
dignation
.'Will. you are utterly ridiculous.
knew it pleased her though. and
was about t. repeat my theme with
some brilliant variations. when | be-
held old Samp. coming from one way
and Mrs. Warner from another.
The two entered together.
.Mr Sampson, will you just look at
this telegram? can't make it out at
all. VIII YOU please read it for me?"
| felt a trcmor waltz up and down
my spinal column when she paused.
Old Samp. put on his glasses. and
took the paper into his hand. He
looked at it Il minute, and then he
glanced at Bismarck.
..Ahem. Miss Lautenschlager. did
you write out this telegram"
mo, sir.
You must have done so. it is writ.
ten in German. Read it aloud. Miss
Lautenschlager.'
IL know nothing about it," replied
Bismarck, turning white rs sine took
the paper.
Old Samp. took an angry step to-
ward her.
Don't deny it, Miss Lautenschla-
ger, you wrote that. now read it
aloud"
Twas about to interpose but Bis
marck spoke up quickly.
1t must be a mistake, MIR. Sampson,
it is not telegram, only something
which scribbled in an idle moment.
''Indeed! Read it, Miss Lauten-
schlagcr."
Il had rather not" replied Bis
marck, the tears gathering in her
eyes.
..Read it, l say, l will know what is
going on in this Office" shouted old
Samp. his bald head growing purple
with anger.
"lt is only Mr.. Depue's name. writ
ten over a couple Of times. and my
own" replied Bismarck bravely. but
turning from red to white.
''And you wrote it?"
"Yes sir.
"Pretty occupation for young la
dy." he sneered. The next thing is
how did Mrs. Warner get hold Of it?"
II sent it to her," said l, boldly.
looking old Samp in the eye.
what did you do that fOr?" he
asked. nearly excited enough to strike
me.
I felt perfectly reckless Of conse-
quences. After his brutality to Bis.
marck, 1 would have liked to throttle
him, besides | never believe in jam
ming the cat back in the bag when his
head is out. answered boldly:
because she Is around here boring
us continually. thought would
give her something to study on lit
tie. hoped 1t would keep her at home
an hour or two. I could not myself
read the writing. but thought it was
only scribbling. as it really was." con-
cluded l, casting a beeseeching look
at Bismarck.
Old Samp's sarcasm was beautiful.
Then we are to consider this a prac-
tical joke, Mrs. Warner. MIR. Depue.
however, may consider himsel: dis
charged from his situation, and Miss
Lautenschlager, who l find was not to
blame in the matter. may fill the va
cant place."
..All right. SIR" replied pOmpous-
ly, IL will depart on the next train. :"
Mrs. Warner withdrew in great in
dignatlon, and old Samp. after hand
ing me my salary, shut himself up in
his private office.
bismarck" whispered I. .'can you
ever forgive me?'
You were not to blame. ought
not to write such things"
Oh. why did my stupid tongue say it!
"Never mind Bis. you'd had to have
owned 1t sOmetime.'
"Owned what. sir?"
"Why. that you adored me, Of
course"
Il did not own 1t, sir"
"Oh! yes you aid. Bis. Ask old
Samp if that wasn't owning up!'
How she did take that piece of i'm.
pertinence! tried to joke her out OF
It. put IN vain: =.
II never will be your friend again"
she said.
Still | went carelessly on.
s.NOw, Bis, didn't mean to get
your dutch up in this manner. l like
you. and its only fair that you should
like me-"
She turned her oack upon me and
would not answer me.
The train came rolling into the sta
ton.
"Good-bye. Bismarck. I'm going to
write to you and you must answer
me-" said in an agony.