Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-09-26

td!n5s OF Flavel Ashcroft penetrated to
the large wholesale drug store where he
had been former clerk for the past six
kears, and his former comrades rejoiced
at his good fortune, for in his cartless,
Lappy go-lucky way he always 1made
friends wherever hc was.
81 wonder Mr. Ashcroft has not been
III TO see us, said one Of the Clerks to
Bessie Moore. Huxley 4 Cos stenogra-
iher and typewriter Has he told YOU
when we are To expect him
l haven't seen him since the last day
he was IN the store, four weeks ago.
Bessie replied with al embarrassed air.
Alr. Ashcroits attentions to her had
oeen 50 unremttlng for some time past
that everyone predicted a speedy we'd
ling. and Bessie knew il she knew, too.
that her own family IS .ier adopted mother
and sisters for she WAS an or.han) had
iooneu ror the same result. therefore II
was doubly notifying 10 feel and real.
ize that others fe. that i'Iavel La /
merely been amusing himself at her ex-
pense.
ooh, well, | dare say he's been pretty
busy, said til" first 80 ..,her, kindly try
ing TO hide his surprise a. Bessies words
"Differeut people, to whom he was al
\. l Il, tgt
that he has been arouA: among them set.
Ting mp all his little Liabilities. Then.
too, where there's % m.ic.. money in
volved there must necessarily tc 4 2ool
many interviews with lawyers.
.Yee," chimel III Harvey Wilson,
head bookketper, vino had oserneard
these last words, "rich2s entail many
cares vet Ashcroft, II" uonot has some
free evenings. For M part, an con
yincpd none OF us will ever see him
again
ooh. say. Wilson, aren't you a bt
cynical. Ashcroft isn't such Il cad rs
that
No: | hope not, for | used 10 like
him. But remember, prosperity tries
man adversitv is not oar only crucibe. >
Bessie s,cheeks flushed painfully. She
knew that Wilson was an honest, far
seeing man and that he had been more
intimate with. Flavel Ashcroft than any
Of the other clerks: consequently, he
ought to be able to Judge him correctly.
Yet she also knew that Wilson's atfec-
| tions were all bestowed on herself, and
that his love for her might make hun
! lealously spitefu! towards handsomer,
| richer rival. She had always liked and
/ esteemed Harvey Wilson, but who cou'..
blame girl Of nineteen if she had been
captivated by Flavel, VINO, during his
thirty-four wears OF life, ha | travelled
much and learned many things, among
them the art Of ! making love to every
pretty face
Harvey sighed as, ,,he notel tne flush on
her face, and walked .auie:ly away.
Days passed, weeks vanished, Yet no
visit or message came to her from Flaye
Ashcroft. Bessie was Young aud IN
! yenious, but she was 4 sensible girl.
Gradually his true character presented
itself to her mind as she,reaI Of his gay
lie among fashionable people, and she
saw that he was indeela recreant knight.
And as this knowledge was forced upon
her, she slowly came to appreciate Har,
vev Wilson's unwavering, though hope
less devotion.
,.Oh, MIR. Wilson, She exclaimed &
him one evening when lie was calling .
her. II hav,. heard 50 much news 10
jaw One thing YOU, too. hav. perhaps
heard, that Mr. Ashcroft Is engaged t
the lovely bat hitherto unapprcachable
Miss Carroll
Harvey looked quickly at ner. He
tone was not that Of Il heart broke!
woman.
poor F.ayel" he answered. "Sh
has the reputation OF being cold hearte,
and mercenary. cau You pardon me il
say that thought him devoted to so
| IN the oIden das,!'
$50 did l. she replied, lightly, ''bu
We were mistaken. | really believed
TOO. that was devoted - him, but
am happy TO see that | was mistake
about that. also
.oh, Bessie, your words open par4
disc before me, know | can't hold
candle TO him, If be failed, how can
rough, plain fellow, ever hope I
wiul'
ITO win what" she whispered.
Y l. h.