Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-02-06

SAVED BY HER APRON.

A long dusty, noisy street. Seem
ingly unending streams of trucks. drays,
cars and struggling, jostling humanity
below. On either side high, dingy,
brick buildings, with row upon row of
windows, each grimy, each filed with
stacks of merchandise, or showing bent
heads, belonging to busy hands, and
each the counterpart of its neighbor,
Nothing but noise, heat, hustle and toll.
At window on one side Of the street
sat young man busy at desk. Oc-
casionally he would raise his eyes, as
though to rest them, and glance out Of
the window But il was all so monoto-
nous-nothing to be seen except the
high, dingy buildings, with the same
grimy, tired. looking workers, each in-
tent on finishing his days work. Aim
lessly his eyes would wander until they
reached window almost directly oppo-
site, rest there for moment, and then
return to the work before him. Why
this particular window should attract
his attention in this manner he had
neuer explained to himself. Perhaps II
was because its occupant formed the
only bit of brightness in all that dingy
row perhaps it was because its occu-
pant was young girl with neat, dainty
form and golden hair So much tho
young man could see from his position
across the street, and he found himself
wondering who she was and what she
was doing, what her name was, aud then,
with an important shrug Of the sboul-
ders, would resume his work
On the other side the young girl had
also noticed her vis-a-vis, at first with
Indifference, and then, she, too, with
growing interest. And 80 it happened
that they were in each others thoughts
oftener than either suspected, and, be-
ing high-mindod and honorable, 6irta-
tion was never dreamed Of; and so mat
ters might have stood to this day. but
for the incident about TO be related.
Jennie Alton was assistant book
keeper in tho branch Office Of Silas
Stanton Il Co., the large iron dealers.
The only other occupants Of the Office
were the book-keepers. young lady
who acted as cashier and general Office
assistant, and the Office boy. On GER
tain days of the month Mr.. Stanton, the
senior partner, spent a few hours at his
desk, the remainder Of his time being
devoted to the principal Office.
Jennie had passed very trying
morning The young lady cashier had
asked and obtained leave to visit sick
relative; the book-keeper had been call
ed away on business, and, finally, even
the office boy had to be sent out with
message to n customer. So she was
left entirely alone. Although this was
unusual, Jennie thought little OF il, as
she was particularly busy.
Suddenly the door opened softly, and
strange voice asked: ais Mr.. Stanton
in ~
Jennie, startled, turned and sew tall,
gaunt form, clad respectfully enough,
but with strange, Withholding eyes.
She answered quickly: mo 4; Mr.. Stan
ton is at the general Office at B"
"Ah, then he has not yet come. |
will wait for him He usually spends
the fifteenth in this town. He will be
here soon. | will wait, as my business
is of the greatest Importance"
He was right. Mr. Stanton did come
the fifteenth of each mon.h--a fact she
had for the moment forgotten She re-
sumcd her work, or attempted TO, but
the stranger was regarding her with
such fixed stare, and gIancing at him
II couple of times, and still finding him
looking at her with that peculiar CLEAN
in his eyes, which did not turn from her
as she looked up, she grew uneasy and
found it impossible to accomplish any
thing.
A few minutes passed. Still the ST.
lent stare. Would the book keeper or
the boy never come Or Mr.. Stanton
why was he 80 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 | 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
/ leave this office must take with me
/ Mr.. Stanton's brains p
Without seeming to notice the white
tcrror-stricken face Of the girl, he con
tnued "IIisten-I will tell you. Blu
wait, it will not do to be disturbed" F." 81
saying, and 10 Jennie's increased terror
he turned the key in the door. He