The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-07-14

position justified one of his humble taste
in "giving hostages to fortune
Mary had long ago told him of her posi-
ton and that of her parents. He knew
that her father gained living as a law
writer; that he had once been in better
position, that he had assisted and guided
his daughter in the studies that had made
her far superior to most of the girls among
whom her lot was cast, but that she had
never heard from either parent what their
former position had been, or by what mis-
fortune it had been lost. Mr. Emerton
was of very retiring disposition, and never
encouraged any one to intimacy, and this
was the reason that Mary for so long OBJ
jected to Franks making himself and his
wishes know to her father. She feared
that this would end her sweet romance, and
that the pleasant walks and happy castle
building they both INDUCED in would come
to an abrupt conclusion.
One Saturday evening, Mary was busy
in making preparations for tea of so sump-
tuous nature in that humble home that
it was evident company was expected
| She went about the room, gaily singing, her
4 eyes bright, her face lit up with joyful ex-
pectation. And this was the cause. Her
story had been confded to her mother, by
whom it had been somewhat hesitatingly
communicated to the father, who had re-
ceived it more graciously than had been
expected Mr.. Emerton had at once ad-
mitted that Frank should be invited to visit
them; but said that what might occur in
the future must depend on what he thought
OF the young man, and he-Frank-would
receive the communication he had to make
to him.
A knock was heard at the door. Mary
ran to open it, and after longer time than
might have been absolutely necessary, she
ushered into the little parlor "Mr. Frank
Denton"
Now did the anxious Frank make the
most strenuous exertions to please the old
people, and there is no doubt he fully
succeeded. Still, Mr.. Emerton's face was
clouded during the repast, as though there
were some great care or anxiety which
would keep obtruding upon his pleasanter
thoughts.
Frank lost no time in coming to the
great question he had upon his mind, and
after explaining his parentage, position
and future prospects, he, holding out
his hands to father and mother, asking
them to entrust their daughter to his
care.
Mr. Emerton arose and walked few
times up and down the room, then resum-
ing his seat, said:
"Mr Denton, | thank you for the
straightforward manner in which you have
dealt with us, and welcome the thought
of having such a protector for my dear
girl. 1 am getting old, and her future has
often given me much anxiety. l am poor,
and if you take her for your wife you must
take her for herself alone. This you know;
but have something far more important
to say, aud, until you have heard it, I
must consider that your offer has not been
made. There is cloud resting upon my
name and life, which has caused me for
years to hold myself aloof from all acquaint-
anceship or friendship-has obliged me to
earn poor livelihood by hard and inces-
SAINT labor, and has condemned my girl to
daily toll.
=" Isiftsea szsars aenzF Fl.sld enad rnsitinn
in city house. There were only two
clerks above me, and had things prospered
with me, I might by this time have had
share in the business. I knew the work
was shrewd and fortunate in
what 1 undertook, was respected, and
thought, trusted thoroughly. The junior ,
partner, / always fancied, disliked me, yet I
1 cannot say that he ever acted unjustly to- |
wards me, or that his feelings ever did more /;
than bias his judgement against me. One 5
day there had been great rush of business, t
and during the morning one of the partners r
handed me over f800 in bank notes that !
was to pay into the bank later in the day. .
thought at the time that had opened J
my desk and pushed them in corner, but /
| may have laid them on the desk at the /
side of ledger | was consulting. How v
syef, soon afterwards went out to lunch :
con, locking my desk carefully, according
to my custom, before went. In the af-
ternoon was preparing to go to bank, and
opening the desk felt for the notes in the a
corner where I imagined had placed them. \
could not feel them, and opening my J
desk to its widest extent, looked with |
anxiety in every corner, but to my borrow
in vain At that moment the junior part r
ner came up and asked me what made me n
look so white. Was i'll? 1 could hardly
gasp out:
8The notes-lost!" y
"He assisted me in the search, but the L
missing notes were not to be found. U
sit is very peculiar" l said.
at is indeed very peculiar" said John v
son, cycling me in a strange searching I
Y
"There was much excitement in the I
ofice; everyone was questioned and cross
but no information could be OBJ
tained. In more than one private inter- P
Tiew with the partners | was compelled to {
admit that l had no reason to suspect n
anyone. l had locked my desk before 60 t
ng out, and it was certainly very unfor- b
sunate that l had left the Office between a
she receiving of the notes and the discovery 7
IF the loss. The junior partner was per- B
,istent in cross-examining me, and probably &
ny anxiety and bewilderment may have a
given me the air of one who was prevari- a
eating. Suffice it to say that my employ i
srs, forgetting my faithful service of twenty c
years, requested me to resign my appoint ?
nent. No protestations of mine were of
my avail. They evidently thought / had S
yielded to temptation, and retired brok- ]
IN hearted man. 1t was useless for me to {
Try for employment in the city with such
grave suspicion resting on my character. t
got rid Of my house aud furniture, and v
took this little cottage, where l have lived v
ever since. After trying many things, I l
obtained work as copyist and have con-
rived on the money thus earned to keep a
up shabby responsibility. Yes, sir, | am
poor, shabby, old, living in a back street,
under an assumed name, but by heaven an
honest man-an honest mani Now that
you have heard my story, do you ask me j,
10 give you my daughter2":: il
0Yes-a thousand times, yesi" said