The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-24
In DOUBLE BONDS.
CHAPTER I.

cent did not contradict her young lodger's
remark, though her words have that APP
pearance. She laid down a goblet half
wiped, and looked with interest for fur
ther communication.
"Yes," continued the speaker, holding
up a letter Just come by the morning post,
"see this! 1t is from Mr.. Richard Allison,
whose advertisement in the Guardian !
answered the day before yesterday. He
asks me to call at Room Z, No. 10s Roelker
street, at 8 o'clock this morning, II have
leisure. II l have leisure! I've had
nothing else for the past month. 1t Is
now quarter to eight; I'll go upstairs at
once and put myself in order. / must do
what can to make good impression,
you know"
"You couldn't help doing that" said
Mrs. Ripley, and she looked with little
sigh after the graceful girlish figure in
its suit Of somber black as 1t disappeared
through the door. "Poor child, l do hope
she won't be disappointed" she added
fervently, "there's not many brought up
as she's been would be willing TO work
and do for themselves after always hav-
ing everything done for them. II she can
only get something to do, it will take her
mind off her troubles, and be better for
her every way. Then it's her bread and
butter, too; and no wonder she's begin
ming to worry little about 1t, she added,
taking up her work again with an earnest
wish for the success of the orphan girl
who, though she had known her but
few weeks, had, by her lovely face and
gentle manners, interested her with an
almost motherly anxiety for her welfare.
An hour later Millie Thorndyke was
passing No. 105 Rocker street, and look
ing over at No. 10S-a tall brick building,
seeming very wide awake with its nu-
merous windows and liberal display of
signboards and official shingles. It's
aspect was not uncongenial--should she
ever make it's more intimate and friendly
acquaintance? She walked on to the next
street, and crossing, returned for anearer
inspection. At each side of the door was
q thin marble slab with a list OF the
names OF the inmates OF the building. In
it's appropriate numerical place she found
that of her possible employer, over the
words, "Real Estate"
II am glad IL is real estate" she said to
herself with feeling Of relief, as sundry
visions of long columns of figures and
intricate calculations which had been
troubling her retired into the hazy dis
tance. She had need enough and energy
enough to put her hand to anything with
in the possible scope OF her powers; but
she had hoped Mr.. Allison's clerk might
be more a copyist than an accountant.
After some hesitation she began to mount
the stairs-slowly, for she wanted to be
exact as well as prompt, and she had yet
Ave minutes to spare.
Mr.. Allison's office-outside of which
she presently paused with fiuttering of
the heart and a shortness of breath due
wholly to excitement-was on the third
eight, in q cozy corner at the end of a
long, narrow hallway. The pane Of ground
glass set in the upper half Of the door
bore an inscription similar to the one she
had seen below, supplemented by the in
formation, coffee hours, to g." The
door stood ajar, for which she was thank
full.
In her tremulous state to have turned
the knob would have been a real task;
and under the circumstances she feared
knocking would seem womanish and un-
businesslike. At the last moment the
temptation to fee became almost irresis-
tible; but knowing hesitation would be
her ruin, she drew long breath, and
pushing open the door, crossed the thresh-
old. 1t was a large, clean, airy room, well
furnished and carpeted, and IL looked
much more inviting than she had expect
ed. Near her wero several chairs and a
table; opposite stood a large safe, and be-
fore each of the two windows in the fur
ther corners was n desk. From behind
one Of these-of the kind known as "roll-
top"-came a scratching sound. which,
with a little tuft of hair just visible over
the top, showed the presence OF the occu-
pant. She was glad there was but one,
and that his preoccupation gave her time
to gather In q few OF her scattered wits
before her presence was noticed. As she
made step or two forward tho scratch
ing ceased, and the connection became
apparent between the tuft OF hair and a
head, the owner whereof Strengthened
back in his chair and wheeled about so
that she could sec him. The first look
told her he was q gentleman. He had
grave, handsome face and dignified air,
perhaps touching on severity. She
thought him about thirty-five years old,
though the full brown beard he wore so
becomingly made 1t difficult to tell his
age with accuracy. Having assured her.
self he was Mr.. Allison, she timidly made
known her errand.
"Ah, yes" he returned; "sit down Miss
Thorndyke."
She fancied there was a tinge of sur
pIisc III his tOnc, huu ieaTcu hc iouhu hcE
too young and inexperienced looking
though at twenty, with her bread 10 win
snc felt quite otherwise.
al want some one to look after the Office
when am out" he explained, "and to
talk with people who would waste my
time when / am in, and for such other
general assistance as I may need" lie
was not n man of words. He asked few
questions, contented himself with learn
ing she was a stranger In town, had lost
both father and mother-the former
within six months-and knew nothing,
from experience, of the duties attending
the place for which she had applied. He
did not even ask for reference of any kind,
perhaps seeing I'm ner face and manner
what made that formality needless.
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