Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-08
CHAPTER I'LL


Jonas and Mr.. Pendell we're alone together
in the bank one February morning. One Of
the other young men was away at his brother
in-law's funeral and Hathaway had been sent
to Boston on financial errand. Jonas wished
that he could have had the variety of journey
to Boston. Sometimes he felt as if the irk-
some confinement of his business were telling
upon his health and spirits but lie looked per-
fectly well, and unsympathetic friends still
congratulated him ON his excellent oppor-
tunIty. The odor of bank bills became more
and more unpleasant to him, and once or
twice good Ny. Pendell had felt obliged to
urge him to greater quickness, not accuracy,
for our hero was much to be trusted in his
figures. His patron, the rich uncle, looked ut
him approvngly from under his shaggy,
suspicious eyebrows as he went and
came about his businesses or the bank
meetings. Jonas lived with this uncle
who was a bachelor, and there was
always plenty to do night and morning in the
matter of household work, the housekeeper
being amiable, but decrepid, and the uncle
held the opinion that lad should be made to
work as he had worked in his own youth. Jonas
was naturally OF a domestic turn and only va
ried his life now and then by occupying a back
seat at an evening meeting. In the bank he
sometimes felt important and was upborne by
the dignity OF his position. but out of bank
hours he was simply clumsy country fellow,
unused to town life. He often looked out of
the bank window to see that old horse from Oak
Hill, but he was never fortunate, though the
two bright eyes that looked from under the
chaise top still shone like stars in his thoughts
Mr. Pendell was very busy that morning. and
when the door was opened he nodded to Jonas,
who had been busy paying and receiving all the
morning. As the young man rose he saw the
safe horse OF his dreams fastened to a post in
front Of the window. There was old high
backed sleigh now, with two good buffalo robes
and plenty OF bright straw. Jonas recognized
the quality OF the straw and that most inter-
esting looking man held the reins. But the
bank door was opened, and when Jonas turned
there stood his pretty girl. He blushed and
she blushed. and they stood looking at each
other. but Jonas business habits stood him in
good stead He reached for the bank book,
which was timidy proffered, but he dropped it
twice and struck his head on the edge Of the
counter in trying to pick it up. Mr.. Pendell
looked up impatiently and that made things
worse. The bank book was issued nineteen
years before and the only amount credited was
a sum placed to the owners credit when she
was a baby by the old aunt for whom she was
named. Interest had been added from time to
time, so that the hundred dollars was now a
comfortable little sum. Love pushed small
roll of bills under the grating. Il want to put
this in, too" she said. and Jonas dipped his pen
and made an entry of the date and counted the
money stterward and set down the amount.
There's some back interest due you, but Mr.
Downs isn't here today" said Jonas.
Father said could leave the book and call
for IL some other time. shall have more to
put in next month. I'm keeping school"
They blushed again. Hathaway had returned
by an earlier train than was expected. and Just
then entered the bank, but nobody noticed him.
though Hathaway was quick TO see the
bushes.
Wont it put you out il leave it9'
"Not at all, said Jonas with truly grand
air. Its our business much snow down your
way?"
"A good DEAL" answered the pretty girl, still
blushing, and then they almost looked each
other in the face AGAIN, but we're happily saved
the embarrassment.
lis that alp" asked the girl with touching
Difference, and Jonas said that it was all, but
they both felt as if they wished there were
something more, and Love tiptoed out to the
empty world of the sidewalk.
"You'd better go out an unite her horse"
suggested Hathaway. affectionately, but by
means OF this jeer Jonas gained one look after
the FAIR deposltor, and reassured himself of
her good looks and that Jacob Bean, the
elderly hired man, was not to be feared a n
rival.
That was old Mr.. Haylsnd's girl that was
here Just before snow came" Jonas told his
chief with great interest, for Mr.. Pendell had
spoken warmly Of the farmer. 4.
Come, step round, Jonas, and get on with
your work." urged the cashier Seems tonne
it's one Of your numb days and we've got to
drive work. It's bad time TO spare Downs"
Even this rebuke did not destroy the junior
clerks sense Of pleasure. He laid the clean
bank book on Downs desk with lingering
touch. He wished that the proper place for Il
was on his own desk. Bank books had seemed
alike uninterestine until that moment
As for Love Hayland she had forgotten two
of her mothers commissions this time instead
Of one, and was jogging home speechless with
delight
There was stormy weather late that winter
and the roads were drifted. then there came
long season OF rain and thaw, while Loves
book lay unclaimed in the safe At Last she
appeared one Saturday morning in March,
when the sun was shining like MAY and the
crows were thick and the road nearly bare of
ice and snow all the way to town. IL was the
FIRST day that seemed like spring and winter
clothes we're already too heavy. Spring vas In
the air and spring was in Love Hayland's look
- she rode in the old chaise at her fathers
side and waited whiis no tied the horse 70 .