The Penn's Grove record., 1894-04-20

ut lts lines. ,
cts an awfully Busy time Just now
raid he, contracting his frost white eye
browa. "But I suppose wei have It.
attend to this lrJtesc Of MelIcn's. AsI
him to step ip."
The oolored porter stared. .
"There amt no 'Aim' there, sir sal
he, "It's a herr
"Dou't be a fooll" said Mr.. White
haven. "Do yoa see this catdl Yer.
well, admit him at oncc.'
And Mr.. WAjtclavca turned to 4 stou
b~aldhcadel Office seeker who was in tht
last agonIes of impotence to secure al
audience.
The porter shrugged his shoulders.
"Ordcrs is always 10 be obcyed," sale
be to himself.
And SO Miss MiIdlcwor5a was ushoFel
in without furthet delay.
Nv. Whitelaycn looked blankly at he
for a moment, aud then his expression
chlngei to one Of active annoyance.
"Madam," he said, ~ am sorry Il
appear discourtcoIs, but our time, dur
ing office hours, is not our own. It yol
are a book agent
Frank erimsoned all over.
"oa," she said, hurrielIy, 81 am mol
a book agent. I am the nc% Clerk
Miss Middleworth."
! "'Miss MiddleworthH' repeated the
chief clerk.
"Yes," said Frank, a little inpatient
ly. 81 sent in my card a few minutes
ago" Aud she pointed to the piece OF
pasteboard lying on the table.
"Ah!" said Mr.. Whitchayen. "Blt
this appointment WAS made out to a gen
tlemln.'
'It was made out to Frank Middle.
WORTH" SAID the young lady with
spirit; "anl I nm Frank Mtddieworth. "
"IIumphi' said the chief clerk of the
Clncc'iug Department. "Some mis-
take. There are no young women en-
ploycd in this departmcnt-ao one but
men"
"But," FILTERED Miss Niidleworth, "a
wrote to Judge MelIcn. He has pro.
cured this appointment for me. He
81 beg your pardon, said Mr.. White
haven. "What did you sign yourself If
your application to him2'
"Wby, Frank MtIdIcvorth,' of
course" answered the girl. "What
else should l sign mysclt:'
The chief clerk shrugged lis shoul-
dcrs.
'Just look at that hallwr.tiaE," saiu
he, nodlin4 toward the card. "ilow
On earth is one to suppose that a womta
wrote that2 It's the most natural mis-
take in the world. Has the nudge eve
seen you?"
No." admitted Frank; "but he was
an old college friend Of my father.
and
"Plain rs daylight" sail the chief
clerk-'plain as daylight. He, also,
took it for granted that You were :
man."
"hud ain I to lose this opportunity in
life brcausc I happen to be a wonan2"
cried Frank. as this rightl Is il
iust2"
Every sorry, indeed" said the chic.
clerk. ''But we can't do anything for
you just at present. We employ 50 few
women iu the Patent Office; and none at
all il this department. It's an uaaIter.
able rule
SIS there no chance for me'' pleaded
"None at ALL" said the chief clerk.
And within five minutes the office il
question was bestowed upon the nephew
OF the bald-headel man, who caanced to
be a famous ward politicion.
Miss Middleworth betook horsel' sor.
rowfully to the little New Hampshire
village.
81 suppose they have found another
teacher tor the district school by this
time" she thought. "Nhat can do tc
support myself anI-and to pay for this
coax and hat2 Oh, | wish | had NOT
heen so foolishly extravaganza And l
Suppose Reginald Au III will never speak
to me again. Pm sure | don't deserve
that he should"
"Ncyer mind, dear" said the good OLD
supcrannuated Clergyman. "My cough
is a deal better since you went away.
And | believe am as well OF hero as in
Florida. And VIII can wait another
year for his schooling, AMI mother can
get along quite we'll with the homework
as long as she has you to help her."
So Frank was, in some degree at least,
comforted.
But the flush OF acute modification
mounted into her cheek the next day, as
she met Mr.. Reginald Augur in the
street.
"Mr. Avgur?' she murmured softly.
81 would prefer being %calle!, Reg.
iuald," he smiled.
"Your fatheris one of the school tras
tees" she began. 800 You suppose he
could get me a place to teach %again2o
''But thought you were goiu; to
Washington!' he cried.
81 have been to Washington sale
Frank.
And she told the whole story, thereby
drinking the bitter cup Of discontinue
to the very drc5s.
"And now she concluded, with eve,
brimming over with tears, 81 don t
know what to do. Only--only | must
entreat your pardon for my silly an |
aud foolish conduct the last time We
met"
"Oh, I have n2ver given that a second
Thought" said Augur. "But, Frank
will you let me 80 on now with what
had then begun to say}'
"Yes," said Miss Middleworth, hang.
ing down her head.
"Dcar Frank" he said, taxing hel
hand, "will you be my wife, I can give
you a comfortable home now. Perhaps,
10y and by, it will be a luxurious one,
And all your dear ones ARE fully welcome
to its shelter if only you will accent it,
Frank began to cry heartily now.
"Not because I am sorry" said she.
Goa, no, mol Only because l am 50
happy. And indeed, Reginald, l do not
deserve to be your wife"
But she married HIM, for all that. And
she was very happy. But if there is any
topic in particular that she especially
avoids it is That of public office in Wash.
in gton City.