The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-10-07

'fes, C0ntin-
ned the first speaker, holding uR letter
lust come by the morning post; "seo
thisl II Is from Mr.. Richard Allison,
whose advertisement answered the day
before Yesterday. He asks me to call at
Room Z, No. 10S Rocker street, at .
O'Clock this morning, il I have leisure.
II have leisurel I've had nothing else
to do for the past month. must do
what can to make a 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 sombre black, DIS it disap-
peared through tho door.
"Poor child, do hope she won't be
disappointed, she added fcrvently;
"there's not many brought uD as she's
been would be willing to work and do
for themselves after always having
everything done for them," sho aidcd'
taking up her work again with an earn
est wish for the success OF the orphan
pirl who, though she had known her but
a few weeks, had, by her lovely face and
gentle manners, interested her aud filled
her with an almost mothcrly anxiety for
her welfare.
An hour later Mllie Thorndyke was
looking at No. lOS Rocker street, tall
brick building seeming very wide awake
with its numerous windows and liberal
displsy of signboards and official shingles.
At each side of the door was thin mar
BILE slab with list of names OF tho in
mates OF the building. In it, appropriate
numerical place she found that OF her
possible employer, over the words,
"Real Estate"
Mr.. Allison's Office outside Of which
che presently paused with huttering OF
the heart and q shortncss of breath duo
wholly 10 excitement-was on the third
flight, in cozy corner ut tho end OF n
long, narrow hallway. At the moment
tho temptation to flee became almos' ir-
rcsistablc, but knowing hesitation would
be her ruin, she drew long breath, and
pushing open the door, crossed the
threshold. 1t was large, clean, airy
room, we'll furnished and carpeted, and
it looked more inviting than she had cx-
pected. From behind a desk-oi the
kind known rs "roll-top"-came a
scratching sound, which, with little
tuft OF hair visible over the top, showed
the presence of the occupant.
scratching ceased, ana the counccU,ou
became apparent between the tuft OF
hair and head, the owner whereof
Strengthened back in his chair ana
wheeled about so that she could see
him.
She thought him about thirty yeass
old, though the full brown beard he
wore so becomipgly made it diificult to
tell his age with accuracy. Having rs.
sured herself he was Mr.. Aluson, she
timidly made known her crraud.
"Ab, yes" he returned; "sit down,
Miss Thorndyke."
lie WAS not e. man of words. He
asked few questions, contentipg himself
with learning she was stranger in town,
had lost both father and mothcr-ths
former within six months-aud kuev
nothing, from experience, of the dutieI
attending the place for which she haa
applied.
"You may come on trial, and see how
we like each other,' lie said, and, to 81
great relief, the important matter was
settled, for time at least.
81 think we shall get on" he said at
the end of the first week, and she had
taken that as permission to stay.
Gradually the ncwness of her surround,
ings wore Off, and she settled dowI
among them as naturally as the great
safe or the desks, one Of which WAS now
devoted to her especial use.
She could not flatter herself, however,
on often holding much moro import.
ant place in the thoughts Of their COM
mon master than these bulky pieces Of
Office furniture. She thought him the
most unsociablc man she had ever met !;
but he was also the busiest, and conse-
9uently could not have much time for
unnecessary talk.
1t did not take long to see she was in
no way confidential clerk, or that Mr..
Allison had n great deal of business at
whose nature she could only guess; al.
most every morning he was ont for sew
eral hours, and he had frequent callers
with whom he held long and close con.
versations on affairs which, in her mind,
at least, were invested with great i'm.
portance.
One gentleman in particular she he
gan to notice, from his almost daily ap-
reerancc and the intimacy she saw
growing up between him and Mr.. Ali
son. He went by the name of Morton
but she could not allay doubt of Iii
right to be SO called.
His bold though brief look OF admira
ton the first time he had seen her haC
prejudiccd her against him, and sine
then her disgust at him had been stead
lily increasing, although from causes tn
most indehnable.
From various bits of their talks
picked up at different times, she sur
missed that Mr.. Morton was trying t,
engage Mr.. Allison in a heavy specula
ton, TO which he inclined favorably
Further than this she knew little, bu
she wished earnestly for something t,
happen and dissuade him from such
step.
She had speculated a great deal abou
his home life, and wondered how muc
lie relaxed his impenetrablc reserve vine
nt his own fireside. She knew scarcel
anything about him except that he Eve
at Lindendale, about ten miles out {
town, whence he came every day on ii
ram, and her early suspicion that he ";
1.1 h.,1