, 1889-03-03
AMBITION.

why, Libby, Is that your Stop a
minute; TN going your way and I'll
walk home with you"
'Tm in n hurry, Jobr' stammered the
tall young girl whom Job Lindlcy had
addressed.
But | won't dctain you n secondr'
catching up the change and the parcel
from the countcro of the little general shop
which served for grocery, dry goods en-
porium, flour mill and postofflco for tho
jewellers in S~uccothvillc. 'I'm ready
now"
Libby Morse was n slender, bright
eyed girl of IS. job Lindlcy was the
village druggist, a quick, keen faced
young fellow, with n healthy glow on
his checks.
They walked briskly along over the
hard frozen winter roads, in tho gray
twilight.
Were you getting anything ut the
storcI' job asked. Have you any
bundles for mo TO carryg'
Libby laughed bitterly.
II was asking for letters" said she.
There were none for me. | didn't much
expect there would be. Luck don't come
TO mcl'
Luck" Job looked at her In n per
picked way. l hope, Libby-I do hope
you haven't been persuaded into buying
tickets in the Breezetown lottcryr'
"Nonscnsc!" retortcd Libby.
''Your uncle gives you all the spend
ing money you want, don't hep
He gives me all l ask for" Libby an
overwhelming, within herself: "hnd
little enough that ISL
You're not discontinued at living
with himy'
Not especially"
because, Libby, IL you don't like it
where you are
"Oh, job, there comes Alice Mark
hamr' hastily interrupted the girl. I've
got a message for Alice. You'll excuse
me-, won't you? Good-byr
job Lindlcy stood puzzled, in the
middle Of the road, watching Libby's
figure vanish against the yellow bar that
stu marked the spot where the sun had
gone down half an hour ago.
Its queer" said he. I'm hanged If
understand il! Every time | get any
where near that subject she slips away
from me, exactly MS If she understood
what | was going to say. It's like try
ing to catch the waters of a running
brook in ones hand. To me there's no
Girl in all Succothvillo like Libby Morse,
II yet cant for the life Of me tell
whether she carcs for me OF noty"
In the meanwhile Libby had Joined
Alice Markham, the young district school
teacher, whose week it was, in board
ing around, -" to go to Mr.. Morse's.
HnhH a. &c
oh, Alice, said she, brcathless with
the haste h had made, I've had such
an cscapc!'
Child, what on earth do you meanY'
said Miss Markham. who. though she
was scarcely n month older than Libby.
In actual time, had the dignity OF at least
thirty summcrs.
Perhaps it was as much owing to the
responsibilities Of her position as to
natural temperament, but still it was
thore-the sober. charming se~dateuess of
a young queen.
II think, Alice" said Libby, in a mys,
FERROUS whisper, that Job Lindley wants
to ask me to marry him. I've just been
walking with him"
"Wcll-and If he doesT'
Its such nonsense" said Libby
slightly accelerating her swift, elastic
pace.
II don't see that at all" said composed
Alice. Every girl Is the better for {
good, sensible husband
"Fiddlesticks!' cried Libby. ''As IL {
girl with an ambition like me wanted t.
be tied down to life in the back parlol
behind n druggists counterr"
a ambition;s, repeated Miss Mark
ham.
"Ah, | haven't told your cried exult
ant Libby, dancing up and down unit