The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-05
AMBITION.

'swhy, Libby, is that your Stop
minute; I'm going your way and I'll
walk home with you" ~
sIm 10 q hurry, Jobi" stammered the
tall young girl whom Job Lindley had
addressed.
"But I won't detain you second"
catching up the change and the parcel
from the counter Of the little general shop
which served for grocery, dry goods en-
poriuua, -four mill and postod1ce for the
jewellers In Succothville. tim ready
now"
Libby Morse was slender, bright
eyed girl Of Is. Job Lindley was the
village druggist, a quick, keen faced
young fellow, with healthy glow ON
his cheeks.
They walked briskly along over the
hard frozen winter roads, in the gray
twilight.
Were you getting anything at the
store?" Job asked. "Have you any
bundles for me to carrya"
Libby laughed bitterly.
II was asking for letters" said she.
"There were none for me. didn't much
expect there would be. Luck don't come
to melr e
aLucka" Job looked at her in per-
picked way. T hope, Lbby-I do hope
you haven't been persuaded into buying
tickets In the Breezetown lottery!"
"Nonsensei" retorted Libby.
"Ycur uncle gives you all the spend
ing money you want, don't her
"He gives me all I ask for" Libby an
overwhelming, within herself: "And
little enough that isg''
you're not discontented at living
with himT
"Not especially"
Because, Libby, if you don't like it
where you are"-
"Oh, Job, there comes Alice Mark
hamP' hastily interrupted the girl. 1--we
got message for Alice. You'll excuse
me, won't you? Good-byr
Job Lindiey stood puzzled, In the
middle of the road, watching Libby's
figure vanish against the yellow bar that
still marked the spot where the sun had
gone down half an hour ago.
tits queer" said he. I'm hanged If
I understand It'll Every time get any
where near that subject she slips away
from me, exactly as If she understood
what was going to say. It's like try
ing to catch the waters Of running
brook in ones hand. To me there's no
girl in all Succothville like Libby Morse,
and yet I can't for the life Of me tell
whether she cares for me or notT
In the meanwhile Libby had Joined
Alice Markham, the young district school
teacher, whose week it was, in "board-
ing around" to go to Mr.. Morse's.
"Oh, Alice" said she, breathless with
the haste she had made, sTve had such
an escaped
"Child, what on earth do you meant"
said Miss Markham, who, though she
was scarcely month older than Libby,
in actual time, had the dignity Of at least
thirty summers.
Perhaps it was as much owing to the
responsibilities of her position as to
natural temperament, but still it was
there-the sober, charming sedateness Of
a young queen.
Il buluh, AliCe, Scaiu L1oDys Al q AAy ..
ferrous whisper, ''that Job Lindley wants
to ask me to marry him. I've just been
walking with him."
"Well-and if he does?'
''It's such nonsense" said Libby,
slightly accelerating her swift, elastic
pace.
81 don't see that at all" said composed
Alice. EVERY girl is the better for a
good, sensible husband.
"Fiddlestioks!' cried Libby. Gas if a
girl with an ambition like me wanted to
be tied down to life in the back parlor
behind a druggists counter!"
"An anbition?' repeated Miss Mark
ham.
"Ah, haven't told you'll" cried exult-
ant Libby daneins up and down until