San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-18

cuIcfulB uOH6.
Frightened as was. could not help
blushing.
why were you looking into my Of
fceF" said Mr.. Prime 1T doesn't seem
a very serious offense." he added, turn
ing to the officer.
1T amt murder and it amt arson,
that's fat" observed that functionary,
but we don't draw no such fine distinc-
tions in our profession. If we did the
judges would have nothing to do"
The colloquy gave me time to think
up an answer. was in tight place,
and it would not do to mince matters.
Mr. Prime turned back to lne with an
air of inquiry.
81 was wondering, sir, when | looked
into your window, if there was any use
in my applying for work"
Are you in want" he asked.
4 am trying to find place. am
without occupation at present. The
times are so hard it is almost impossible
for an honest girl to find anything to do.
| only want chance"
He looked at me with closer inter-
est. OF course my voice and my feat
ures. after the first impression produced
by my needy dress, must have puzzled
an observer so intelligent as Mr.. Prime.
Il believe the girls story" he said to
the policeman. Il feel sure she is hon
est.
The man shrugged his shoulders. "a
moment ago it was she was a lady, and
waiting for somebody But amt par
ticular, if you are ready to go bail for
the young woman. OF course I'm only
doing my duty, and if you are satisfied,
your honor, don't blame me if you find
your watch missing before you get home
always keep pair of twisters alongside
of mine. and that's why | thought she
might be safer with me than with you"
With this oracular utterance the Off
cial turned on his heel and departed, to
my intense relief. | was fairly overcome
with dread and modification, and my
eyes fell under the interested look of my
rescuer.
You seem distressed and tired, poor
girl. This street is no place for you at
such an hour You say you are in search
of work."
Yes, sir" answered family.
"Humph! Can you writer"
''Oh, yes, sir.
Come to my Office, then, tomorrow
morning, and may be able to find some
thing for you to do. And now go home
as fast as you can. Stop, here is trifle
for your fare. Good night"
He raised his hat in recognition of the
grateful glance from my eyes. My
cheeks had felt like live Goals as took
the coin he held out to me. But chose
to continue the deception. 1t was harm
less; and to disclose the fact that was
other than seemed would only make
matters worse. There was, too, even
while he was still present, an element
of amusement to me in the whole affair,
which, when he was gone, and | knew
that | was out of danger, speedily be-
came predominant in my mind. Here
was an opportunity sent by Providence
to supervise my banking scheme without
risk of discovery, if only had the cour-
age To take advantage of it. The idea
pleased me the more | thought it over,
for had little doubt that Mr.. Prime in
tended to find employment for me in his
own office
felt that it would amuse me i'm
mensely to become female clerk for a
few weeks and see the practical working
of business house. aud above all others
of this particular one. tell sure that
could prove myself toierably useful as
well thanks to my experience under Mr..
Chelm. and there was no knowing what
might come of it all if should develop
a taste for banking. The worlds opin-
ion to the contrary notwithstanding,
might take it into my head to reveal my
identity and become an active partner
in the concern.
Even to such extremes did my imagi-
nation carry me before reached home.
But was clear in my mind about one
thing meant to present myself at the
Office in the morning, and if the chance
was given me, to apprentice myself for
while. 1t was indeed strange freak
of destiny, that he should have been con-
fronted by me with the same appeal that
had heard him make so short a time
ago. Perhaps it were better called a
strange freak of my caprice, for though
of course my position was not premedi-
tated, the words that said to him were
necessarily suggested by the analogy of
the situation. felt therefore an obliga-
ton to let his humanity work itself out,
which gave comfort and encouragement
to my quixotism.
The only obstacles of serious impor-
lance to this step would be the difficulty
of disposing of Aunt Helen, and as a
Corollary thereto the necessity of some