The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-03-15
HIS PARTNERS DAUGHTER.

bowed low, showed his fine teeth IN a
warm smile, and stood looking after
her as she walked away-smiling still.
Mr.. Brewster was forty od !, and a
well-preserved and handsome man.
Margaret Clifford was twenty, and a
charming girl.
THIS was not the first time a certain
idea had presented itself to Mr.. Brew
ster's mind.
He had thought that he had finished
with all that sort of thing when a ten
der passage in his life had closed disas-
trously, twenty years ago-when there
had been foolish quarrel and be-
trothal ring sent back, and then, few
months later, cruel marriage notice IN
the papers He had thought that his
lonely lite must be his punishment for
his hasty injustice, and that he could
never care for another woman.
But when Margaret Clifford had
burst upon him one day, beautiful and
radiant, he had felt new sensation.
When she had brightly talked with
him, perch d on dry-goods box. per-
haps, he had felt his heart grow warm
within him when she had made little
call in the private office-but she was
at home all over the store and good
friends with all the employees-and
laughed and chatted with him, from an
arm of his char, he bad felt odd, new
hopes stirring in his breast.
He knew well enough how George
| Clifford would view it. The marriage
of his daughter to his partner, who,
with himself, ranked with the foremost
of the solid, prosperous men of the
city, would not fail to crafty him.
Mr.. Brewster thought that he might
bring the girl to care for him. Better
he than some young scapegrace who
would make charming mistress for
the fine house he could give her.
Twenty years younger What of that
He would make her too happy to think
of it.
He pulled his moustache, just touch
ed with gray. to disguise the broad
smile he could not repress.
There was fresh bill of goods up
STAIRS to be iVoiced, and Mr.. Brewster
took the elevator to lock at II.
Not but John Carruthers would at
tend to it perfectly. Csrruthers was
the up stairs manager, and treas
ure-only twenty five or SO, but un-
commonly clever and efficient and
honest the sort of fellow TO make his
mark.
| But Mr.. Brewster was not thinking
of John Carruthers just now; he had
before him distinct picture of oval
cheeks and a sweet mouth, which
hopelessly confused all else.
He had paused behind a mammoth
box of newly goods, and looked
absently down into the street.
What were those fellows chattering
about back therel 1t put his glowing
visions to rout. This was Carruthers
voice, though, and he never chartered
a tall, square shouldered, good. looking
young halt -Scotchman he was, who
could mind his own affairs and say lit
tie. But that was his voice.
81 tell you, Stiles, might as vel
want the moon," he was saying, a:
though in emphatic repetition. Hi:
voice had dreary tone. "It shall neveI
be possible. Everything is against it
haven't a chance. l don't say it..
unreasonable, either. It's a law of ma
ture. What could you ask or expect
She is the daughter of one of the own
ers of the house which employs me
Would it be likely that her father would
consent with JOY to my proposal fo
his daughter2 It's likely he'd discharge
me on the spot"
So, so Mr.. Brewster stood still. HI
might have slipped away, but he fel
somehow powerless to move. He tug
ged at his moustache, and listened.
"Go in and win," said Stiles, boldly
"You're as good fellow as she'll b.
apt to meet, and you know it, Carruth
ers. Any girl ought to be glad to ge
you, l should say. Just go in and win.
1 "Thank you," said John Carruthers
hopelessly. "But do l want to plung
her into sea of trouble, Stiles2 Al
angry father and a husband Wit
couldn't take care of her by any mean
as she has always been taken care Of
that isn't pleasant situation for an,
girl. Don't think I'm growing In
prepared to submit to the inevitable
Only it is inevitable. There isn't an
hope for u.s."
"Usl" said Stiles, interrogatively
"Does Miss Chford-have you spoken
or"
There was a silence, which Johl
Carruthers broke with a softened, un
steady voice.
81 think she cares for me-" he said
slowly. "There are ways yon can tell
you know things you can't mistake
I'm not boasting ; it's only to show yo1
how hard it is for me. It's more thai
l know how to BEAR" ne burst out
desperately.
And then the office boy came VI
with inquiries from Clifford, and tn
junior partner could hear Carruther
responding in his usual steady manner
and Stiles walking away.
Mr.. Brewster sat down in the dust,
window seat, feeling somehow used up
Here was state of things
He rubbed back his hair in bewider
ment it was hard to take it all IN a
once. His confidential clerk in low,