The Bossier banner., 1890-12-18


looking at her with that peculiar CLEAN
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 the boy never come? Or Mr.. Stanton
why was he SO much later than usual?
If 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 a change of feature, with
eyes still fixed upon her face, he terri
fed the girl by replying: "Yes; was
just thinking you might help me. When
l leave this Office must take with me
Mr.. Stantons brainsm
Without seeming to notice the white,
terroy>stricken face of the girl, he con-
tinued: "Listen-I will tell you. But
wait, it will not do to be disturbed" So
saying, and to Jennie's increased terror,
he turned the key in the door, Her
brain reeled; she sunk, faint and tremb-
ling, in her chair. Eocked in with a
madman! Would no help come? She
strove to cry out, but could give forth
no sound. The man re5urned, and
again seated himself near rhe fright
ened girl.
81 must be brief. 1 must finish be-
fore Mr.. Stanton comes. Mr. Stanton
~
time. l had plenty of money and he
comparatively none. l started on a
grand scale-he on small one. l had
hosts of friends. l married, had a beau
tiful home, and every thing that man
could wish for, and the future seemed
bright. To be sure | lost steadily in
my business, but still had plenty, and
it would only be matter of short
time when the business would pay. Mr..
Stanton was succeeding with his small
capital, why should not l with my great
wealth? But, finally, and almost be-
fore 1 realized it, the crash came
Every thing was swept away. Business,
home, friends, all. Why was it? Why
could not l succeed when I had every
thing to start on, and Stanton nothing?
My once friends laughed, and said:
You didn't have Stanton's brains you
know And, again, as | struggled hope.
lessly to regain footing, the sarcastic
remark was: Get Stanton's brains !
tried in every way to succeed. But no;
l got deeper in debt each day. And
then, when all hope had fed, those
words rung in my ears. All! that was
the grand secret of future success! ]
must get Mr.. Stanton's bra ms. / hear
the words night and day I see them
wherever l look. And now. not only
my success, but my peace of mind de-
pends upon accomplishing my object.
l must have them, and you will help
mer'
Like one turned to stone the girl sat,
too frightened to speak. But the ma
MAC, his eyes flashing, his hands con
vulsively working, noticed nothing, SC
intent was he telling his story.
See" continued he, 81 have knife.
surgeons knife All! but it is sharp
Now / shall soon have rest,'' and he
handled the cleaning, polished steel
with caressing motion.
Jennie's eyes, full Of agony, instinct
lively sought the window where young
Darcy sat. But he, looking at her
could see nothing of the pain and terror
on that young face Oh! if she could
only signal to him! If she could only
cry out! Once or twice some one tried
the door, but finding it locked, walked
away. But no sound issued from hel
lips. And bear in mind all this tool
but few minutes, although it seemed
hours to the almost paralyzed girl. I
the laan would only leave her, do any
thing but finger the shining blade, i
would be relief. Again she looked
across the street. Again the appealing
look from the girl. Oh! surely he see'
something is wrong, for he has placed
his pen on his desk, and his face il
turned steadily toward her. Perhaps
he has caught a glimpse of the stee
and is puzzled to know what it means
If she could only signal to him for he'll
now that he is looking. But what cal
she do with this man before her, watch
ing her every movement But see! tn
man with stea1thy tread now move
slowly toward the door, and with ben
knee places his ear to the key-hole, a
though listening for footsteps.
Now is her chance. She raises he
arms on high with an imploring gest
ure. She dares not cry, even sthougl
she could. Thank Heaven! the youni
man has risen to his feet and stand
with his hand resting on the back of hi
chair. Again the imp1oring gesture
The young man turns in an uncertain
hesitating manner, while her eyes roar
across the room, wildly hoping for som
other means to convey to him her nee
of assistance. She sees the marking
} pot, with its big, black brush, bu
J where the paper large enough for he
to write on in letters that he may Sc
across the street?
Suddenly the watcher across the wa
! sees hurried movement on her par
the arms are again raised, and, betwee
, them, on white surface, he reads
, HELP! Her neat white apron, in whicI
she had take such pride that morning
: had formed her signal.
Young Darcy hesitated no longer; bu
with a hurried call for assistance
I