The Republican., 1890-10-17

OF merchandise, or showing Dent headS,
belonging to busy hands, and each the
counterpart of its neighbor. Nothing
but noise, heat, hustle and toll.
At window on one side of the street
sat young man busy at desk. Oc-
rasionally he would raise his eyes, as
though to rest them. and glance out of
tho window. But it was all so monot-
Onous-nothing to be seen except the
high, dingy buildings, with the same
grimy, tired-looking workers, each in
tent OF finishing his days work. Aim
lessly his eyes would wander until they
reached window almost directly oppo-
site, rest there for moment, and then
return to the work before him. Why
this particular window should attract
his attention in this manner he had
never explained to himself. Perhaps it
was because its occupant formed the
only bit of brightness in all that dingy
row; perhaps it was because its occupant
was young girl with neat, dainty form
and golden hair. So much the young
man could see from his position across
the street, and he found himself Won
dering who she was and what she was
doing, what her name was. and then,
with an impatient shrug of the shoul-
1ers, would resume his work.
On the other side the young girl had
also noticed her vis-a-vis, at first with
indifference, and then, she, too, with
growing interest. And so it happened
that they were in each others thoughts
Oftener than either suspected, and, be-
ing high-minded and honorable, flirta-
tiOn was never dreamed of; and so mat
ters might have stood to this day, but
for the incident about to be related.
Jennie Alton was assistant book
keeper in the branch office of Silas
Stanton & Co, the large iron dealers.
The only other occupants of the office
wero the book-keeper, a young lady
who acted as cashier and general Office
assistant, and the Office boy. On certain
days of the month MIR. Stanton, the
senior partner, spent few hours at his
desk. the remainder of his time being
devoted to the principal Office.
Jennie had passed a very trying
morning. The young lady cashier had
asked and obtained leave to visit sick
relative; the book-keeper had been
called away on business, and, finally,
even the office boy had to be sent out
with message to customer. SO she
was left entirely alone. Although this
was unusual, Jennie thought little of it,
As she was particularly busy.
Suddenly the door opened softly, and
strange voice asked: ''Is Mr.. Stanton
imp"
Jennie, startled, turned and saw tall,
gauns form, clad respectfully enough
but with strange, wild-looking eyes.
She answered quickly: NO; Mr.. Stan
ton is at the general Office in B"
"Ah, then he has not yet come l
will wait for him. He usually spends
the fifteenth in this town. He will be
here soon. will wait, as my business
is OF the greatest Importance"
He was right. Mr.. Stanton did come
the fifteenth of each month-a fact she
had for the moment forgotten. She re-
sumed her work, or attempted to, but
the stranger was regarding her with
such fixed stare, and, glancing at him
couple OF times, and still finding him
looking at her with that peculiar CLEAN
in his eyes, which did not turn from her
as she looked up, she grew uneasy and
found it impossible to accomplish any
thing.
A few minutes passed. Still the
silent stare. Would the book-keeper
or tho boy never come? Or Mr.. Stanton
why was he so much later than usual?
II the man would only say something.
She must try and get rid of him in some
way
'.If your business relates to the office,
sir, perhaps l can be of SERVICE" she
said, timidly.
Without change of feature, with
eyes still fixed upon her face, he terri
fed the girl by replying: "Yes; was