The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21

AOuhus nAIs 0oluluk kAhhNSA a. thc
clock and frowned sngrily.
II was just ten minutes 10 the time
at which, their work being done, the
clerks were entitled to leave. Some
were already closing their desks and
making preparations for their depart
ure, but the sudden appearance Of the
chief in the outer office galvanized
them into renewed activity. A kind
hearted senior in the meantime sur
reptiously dispatched an office boy 10
the restaurant which Gilbert generally
frequented, but the well-meant effort
was fruitless.
Mr.. Golding walked across the office
to the farther window, which, the
house being corner one, commanded
the length of the street, and stood
looking ont. Sud ienly he uttered a
slight exclamation, which drew all
eyes, with glances more or less furtive,
TO the window. There, at some little
distance, quietly stiollinR along, was
Gilbert Renshaw. Unconscious Of
those watching him, he paused at the
corner, locked at his watch, and, after
a moments hesitation, as II uncertain
what course 10 pursue, turned into q
side street and disappeared.
III.
Monday morning came, and to the
amszement of each and all Mr.. Gold
ing was the first st the office. The
juniors, who were naturally among
the earliest, were WARNED by the house
keeper in q mysterious whisper that
"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.. Golding, hard,
pitiless expression on his face. The
clock was just Ginning nine, when the
do1r swung open, and Gilbert Rem
shaw walked in. He glanced round.
evidently rather surprised at seeing
Mr. GoldiDg, and then walked toward
his desk. Ere he had walked three
steps the principals voice checked
him
"You need not trouble to open your
desk, Mr.. Renshaw."
Gilbert turned round, still more sur
prised at this intimation.
Mr.. Golding walked across the Of
iice, and the two men stood facing
each other. One glance at the stern
face, those cold, keen eyes before him,
and Gilbert saw the others purpose
in moment.
Every one in the office looked on,
either stealthily or openly, with in
creasing interest, and every one was
puzzled by the way in which the
young man maintained his air Of easy
Indifference. But Mr.. Golden gave
but little time for speculation.
"You left before the time on Satur-
day, Mr.. Renshaw."
about ten minutes before 2
o'clock" answered the other.
"And your reason for doing 20 ?"
my work was flushed, and l had
an important engagement"
Indeed" gnesred his employer.
"But do not allow any OF my clerks
to keep important engagements till
the office is closed, aud as you have
thought ft TO leave at your own time,
you will not be surprised II inform
you that / shall not need your services
any longer. This is the amount due
TO YOU" and Mr.. Golding held out q
slip OF paper, but Gilbert made no
movement ID take it.
81 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. /
therefore apologize for having de.
prived you Of ten minutes on Satnr-
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 will not
be OF my seeking. Good-day, gentle.
men," and with comprehensive
glance and bow to the amazed on.
lockers the young man turned and
quilted the office, leaving his EN-.
ployer standing, as much astonished
as any, with the unheeded check still
between his fingers.
".
Elinor Cragsby sat with her friend
and companion dreamily gazing into
the fire. After a while the elder lady
looked up from the book che was read
ne.
"A penny for your thoughts, Nell y
The giIl started at the voice, and the
words bad to be repeated before she
seemed to understand them.
"Im not sure, " she said meditative.
ly, "that they are worth the sum-"
"Then," said her friend with a
smile, without wishing to be uncom-
plimentary to the subject of them, ]
think can guess their direction"
81 wish | could make him see how
useless il is," the girl broke out, appa.
rently irrelevantly."
"He doesn't wish to see that" said
her companion. GAS l have often
told you, it appears to me that he hal
deliberately rec olved to succeed in the
attempt to win your regard, and he ia
not man of fue feelings. Nothing
short OF absolute discourtesy or rude
ness would repel him, unless, indeed
it were the presence of successful
rival, she added in lower and mean
ing tone.
There was something in the las
sentence that brought flush to Eli
nor Cragsby's face. She rose from he,
seat, and, moving toward the window
stood looking out. Suddenly she ut
tered an exclamation OF annoyance
Her friend looked up.
Here he is" said Elinor, as If In
answer to the look.
A smile PLAYED for moment rounC
Mrs, Seafolth's lips, then vanished.
"Shall | leave you ?" she said, hal
rising.
Moon no account" and Elinor
smiling herself in spite of her vexa
ton, recrossed the loom and witt
gentle foic pushed the elder lad
into her seat again aud then resume,
. her own. Scarcely had she done g
when the servant announced "MI
Golding," and then that gentlema,
/ entered, all bows and smiles.
ELLEN" he said, attempting to tax
her hand, you must know how lon
and how devoteGly l have been al
! tached to you, how l have longed 70
| the hour that should enable me /
4