The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-04

NY poor little sWectneafCo eyes SWAN
in tears when told her what her fathers
decision was. Her hands upon my
shoulders, her little form close to me,
her lovely hair approaching and receding
with each breath drew, made me APP
preciate with all its terrible force, the
import Of a separation from her.
"But, darling" my brave Elsie said,
smiling encouragement through her tears,
az dare say father has forgotten his
youth; he does not understand how he
rends our souls"
held her 10 my FIRM embrace.
.Darling,p she continued, II want
you to 20 and work hard; the time will
come when papa will be as proud Of you
as am"
kissed her.
"And then shall grow older and more
sensible, more dignifed. Ny pride in
you will make me more worthy to be
your wife. This severe trial will make
it unnecessary for you to scold me any
more for my unconventional boisterous-
ness; and we shall go through life, SO
happy, 30"
Conclusive tears rendered her speech.
less. She lsy sobbing in my arms.
/, was tempted to Droach an elopement,
but the thought was quelled by her re-
gaining composure..
DARLING" she said, 81 want to be
worthy of you; and this is not doing it.
I'll tell you, dear, what we will do. We,
must not communicate with each other,
but we will keep diary, and when our
probation" she suppressed sob, sis
over, we will exchange our little books. "
will not recite the agony we suffered
in the weeks that followed; nor can |
even now think with equanlmity of the
heart-rending farewell.
Daily wrote her impassioned letters;
for five years these letters were penned
in my diaries; and felt that she was
doing the same. My work, first with
the chain and then with the theodolite,
was appreciated; but our chief engineer
not only kept in excellent health, but
also seemed perfectly satisfied with his
post. l then occupied the second po-
sition in the corps OF engineers, and saw
no hope of attaining the advancement
for which longed. Then suddenly we
heard that the railway was about to be
sold to syndicate, and that the cele-
brated expert, Mr.. Selden-Jones, was
coming to examine the work.
| t'Humph!' snorted our chief, 'tJones
was a classmate of mine. dare say, he
thinks he knows all about railway con-
struction, and will condemn our work.
I'll be hanged if dance attendance upon
him. Hoyt, when he comes, you do the
graceful, as per instructions from home.
Here is the letter."
The document contained a private
note to our chief in which he was in
formed that the great expert was most
affable gentleman, but objected to being
addressed otherwise than as Mr.. Seldom
Jones.
yes" sneered the chief-engineer,
81 presume he now parts his hair in tn e
middle as ne does his name. If he don t
like Jones, let him buy haudsomer
name. AS far as Pm concerned, shall
write home that I'm an engineer aud
not diplomatist. If they don't like it,
they can have my resignation as soon as
they please. In fact, I'm beginning to
yearn for the fog Of dear old London
again; and I'm getting old and lazy"
My heart beat violently ut his words.
If he resigned, should probably become
his successor; and Elsie, my darling, for
whom had suffered so much, would be
mine.
About fortnight later Mr.. Seldom
Jones arrived land our chief received him
courteously yet bluntly. Do what I
would, could not induce him to address
the well know expert save as Mr.. Jones
n but l followed our instructions, and found
Mr.. Seldon-Jones courteous in manner,
thorough in his work, and not at all
oyerbearing; and he had a pleasant way
of giving information or instruction,
speaking as if he supposed that I knew
as much as himself about our profession,
and yet teaching me much that could
never have learned from any one except
himself, 49, 49,
! Two months after he had left US, the
sale was completed; and all the staff,
recommended by our chief, were re-
tanned. After this there was a satisfied
smile on the chiefs face for several
weeks, till one day, while we were at
work in the office, a cabIe2ram was
handed him. =:
He opened it and burst into roar of
laushter
"What's the matter, chief" I asked
in alarm, fearing he had suddenly be-
come demented. ,.'
''Don't call me chief, STRIP he said.
"Read this"
The words swan before my eyes; I
could hardly believe the evidence of my
senses. "
/ "Resignation regretfully accepted;
Frank Hoyt appointed chief engineer;
please request him to take charge i'm
mediately. Selden7Jones, managing di-
rector" ...A>
"Elsiev' I could not restrain the cry
of joy.
Our good chief cordially shook my
hand. "Ahal my bcy," he laughed. $50
there is. an Elsie in the case. Well