Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-04-28

quiet family notel au'i, uloSSe" =" -0
one black.silk gown, with the new nat
and the fur trimmed cloak, went to the
Patent Office and sent in her card to Mr.
Whitehavep, the chief clerk OF the
Canceling Department. In whose name
her appointment mad been made out
.sFrank Mlddleworth" was written on
the card in her bold, round handWrlt'
ino. Mr.. Whitehayen looked critically
at its lines. -,
ats an awfully busy time just now, -
said he, contracting his frost white eye
brows. "But suppose we'll have TO
attend to this protege of Mellen's. ASK
him to step in"
The colored porter stared.
"There amt no him there, sir, " said
he. "It's her."
"Don't be fooll" said Mr.. White
haven. "Do you see this caidf Very
well, admit him at oncel'
And Mr.. Whitehaven turned to stout
baldheaded office seeker who was in the
last agonles of impatience to secure an
audience.
The porter shrugged his shoulders.
"Orders is always to be obeyed," }" said
he to himself.
And so Miss Middleworth was usnered
in without further delay.
Mr.. Whitehaven looked blankly at her
for moment, and then his expression
CHANGED to one OF active annoyance.
"Madam," be said, 81 am sorry to
appear discourteous, but our time, DUR
ING Office hours, is not our own. 1t you
are book agent
Frank crimsoned all over.
"Oo,' she said, hurriedly, ~ am not
book agent. am the new clerk
Miss Middleworth.
".Miss Middleworth7 repeated the
chief clerk.
eyes," said Frank, little impatient
ly. IL sent in my card few minutes
ago" And she pointed to the piece OF
pasteboard lying on the table.
"Ah!" said Mr.. Whitehaven. "But
this appointment was made out to gen
tleman."
"It was made out to Frank Middle
WORTH" said the young lady with
spirit land am Frank Middleworth.
"Humphi" said the chief clerk OF the
Canceling Department. "some mis-
take. There are no young women EN-
ployed in this department-no one bu
men,"
"But," faltered Miss Middleworth, I"
wrote to Judge Mellen. He has prc,
cured this appointment for me: He
sI beg your pardon, " said Mr.. White
haven, "What did you sign yourself IL
your application to himl"
"Why, Frank Middleworth,' o
course" answered the girl. "Wha
else should l sign MYSELF"
The chief clerk shrugged his shoul
ders. -. ..
"Just look at that handwriting" sal
he. nodding toward the card. "Ho'
on earth is one to suppose tnat woman
, wrote that9 It's the most natural mis-
take in the world. Has the Judge eve
seen youR"
. ono" admitted Frank; "but he w'
an old college friend of my iathe
). and"
"Plain as daylight" said the chit
, clerk-"plain as daylight. He, als'
took it for granted that you were
! man." =,
! "And am to lose this opportunity
: life because l happen to be womani
cried Frank. "ls this rlght' Is
justa" :, A. -.
clerk. tBut we can't do anything Il
you Just at present. We employ so fe
women in the Patent Office; and none
4 all in this department. It's an unalte
q able rule -,
= ,Is there no chance for mcG' pleade
q Frank.
y "None at ALL" said the chief clerk.
! And within five minutes the office
question was bestowed upon the nephe
II Of the bald.headed man, who CHANGED
be a famous ward politicion.
Miss Middleworth betook herSel so
:, rowfully to the little New Hampshi
II village.
81 suppose they have found anoth
!, teacher tor the district school by th
le time" she thought. "What can do
support myself and-and to pay for tt
d cloak and hat2 Oh, I wish | had n
g. been so foolishly extravaganza And
a suppose Reginald Augur will never spe
to me again. Pm sure 1 don't desel
O that he should"
d "Never mind, dear, said the good
ID superannuated clergyman. "My couI
ID is a deal better since you went ava
es And believe am as we'll Oft here as
Is Florida. And Will can wait anoth
I. wear for his schooling, and mother
lis get along quite we'll with the houSewo
as long as she has you to help ter."
IA So Frank was, in some degreo at Leaf
n. comforted. =.
no But ths flush of acute mortihcati
re mounted into her cheek the neNt day,
n she met Mr.. Reginald Augut In t
ad street.
ce "Mr. Augur3" she murmurtd soft
- 81 would prefer being called, he
ed inald," he smiled.
"Your fatheris Gre Of the school tri