Daily Republican., 1888-08-17
a BRooKLTE GIRL.

@NJ hNubAs ho was NOiy ilSu Hhli
4 His invalid wife and accomplished
daughter had always been surrounded
with every luxury and convenience
that money could buy; but when hil
estate was closed up everything was
swallowed up TO satisfy his creditors
The little home where the widow and
daughter now lived was all that was
saved from the wreck. And this was
Mrs. Lees property. All the rest Of
her large patrimony she had signed
over to her husband to help him in
his business enterprises. When he
died and the true state OF his business
was disclosed the desperate condition
in which she found herself and her
daughter completely unnerVed her.
But young Minnette, who had en-.
ioyed the advantages OF thorough
Ieducation, and who had improved
these in manner not common with
lyoung women of her position, cheered
her mother with brave words of conf.
Idence that they should be able TO do
very well for themselves And she
felt the truth of every word she spoke,
Ialthough tar from realizing what ii
was TO take up the cross and toll day
In and day out tor daily bread.
She had sought and secured a posi-.
ton in a large retail dry goods house
on Grand street, Her modest behavior,
her generous qualities of head and
heart, and her strict and intelligent
performance OF her duties had made
her conspicuous in the establishment
with proprietors and employees.
When young Henry Austin re.
turned from college, and took his
place Ia his fathers establishment his
attentiOn was soon drawn to the pret.
ty, modest, Industrious Minnette, and
he lost no opportunity of cultvatlng
her acquaintance. She persistently
evaded him ss much as che could
without appearing TO be rude. But he
persisted, and when the other girls in
the establishment began to whisper
among themselves, the high spirited
girl decided TO leave the place.
Henry Austin was q plain, straight.
forward young man, full Of business
and scrupulously honest In all his
life. He was deeply in love with the
modest young baleswoman, and she
knew 1t, and loved him in return; but
no word Of love had ever passed be-
tween them. When she LETT her en-
Iployment the young man determined
to seek her out and declare his love,
but he knew not where she lived, and
could not find out, although he sought
industriously to 90 so.
As she sat in the cosy room that Bit
ter January night Minnette Lees
thoughts were very sad. She had
sought In vain for situation, and she
could not put away the earnest, pleas
ant face Of Henry Austin. Had he
forgotten herr OF course he hadl
How silly OF her to think he would re-
member her for an hour after she had
passed beyond his daily life.
ut viii all come right, mother, /"
said the brave girl. ''t shall soon
have work again, and all will be well
that ends well, "
Perhaps" said the invalid, doubt.
fully. And then they both fell to
'musing of other days, when their
home was among the richest and hap
plest in the great City of Churches.
The past alone was in their thoughts;
the present and future were entirely
forgotten. And bright smile played
upon the young woman's lips, while a
tear strolled down the cheek of her
mother. AT this juncture the door. bell
rang and the young woman started up,
saying:
ION, myI l wonder who that can
beY"
When she opered the door tall
muilled up gentleman asked il Miss
Lee was home. And then she recog,
nized his voice, and her heart stood
still while she asked him to come in
out of the cold. When she led him
into the sitting-rOom, where her
mother was, she hardly knew what TO
say. But courage came to her and
some composure, and she said in low
voice:
Mamma, Mr.. Austin"
lie was profuse in his apologies for
calling upon her without invitation,
and he hoped she would forgive him
for doing so.
Both the ladies began to wonder
why Mr., Austin had called, and they
OH were equally sure that he came to
| ersuade her to return to the work she
ad lett, and they both were sure that
she would do nothing of the kind. The
young man then spoke:
al have called, Miss Lee, to see you
on very important business. 1 am a
man OF very few words, and l shall
not use many in declaring my bust
ness.
II regretted very much that you
left our employment in the way you
did, and | have been seeking you
ever since. AS soon as l found out
your residence called, l know why
you left.
"Now, in the presence of your
mother | wish TO say | came here to-
night to ask you if you would be my
wife"
The two ladies were breathless, the
elder with a9tonishment and the
younger with emotion. She had never
hoped for this, and it had come, too,
when she had least expected that it
would.
'I don't know what to say, sir" she
said. 1--WE are very poor"
"0h, l know all about that" he
said. "Thst is not Of any consequence.
l know that love you, and l had
hoped you loved me in return"
~ do" said the young woman.
Then for a second there was still
ness as of death, and the mother said:
"This is very strange. You never
told me that you young people loved
M oh pIhar -