Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-03-01

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nany-storied apartment-house and
snatched the envelope. moment
later he dropped it as if it had stung
him, for his own writing stared up at
him. The passionate letter he had
written was returned to him with the
seal unbrol1en.
We'll, this latest hint should be
sufficient" he said, bitterly, to him
self. only an idiot or scoundrcl
would persecute girl with attentions
after such an intimation."
lie was not generally an idle fellow
His fellow-clerlis felt frequently re-
bulled by his determined industry. But
now he sat u long time with his hands
gripping the arms of his chair, and his
gaze fixed blanllly on the opposite
wall. lie thought it all over; his love
story was not long one. Three
months previous he had met Vivien
Van Roosevelt at the home of his
cousin. He had straightway fallen
headlong in love with the girl-with
her stately dark beauty, her gentle
manner, her delicious sense Of humor,
her voice, that was so mollowly fas-
cinating. And he never once reminded
himself-after the absurd fashion of
men in love-that he was only an arch
itect's clerk, and she "a lady of honor
and wealth. -
OF this fact the little blind god
seemed also oblivious, or to it indiffer-
ent For when Gilbert had said, boldly
and yet trembliugly: 81 love you, dear!''
she lifted to his sweet eyes that were
dim but illumined.
And she had pledged him her heart,
hand, and womanly fealty.
But when he urged speaking to her
guardian, She had tremulously pro-
tested:
'lie is hard man, Wayne, am
not quite of age yet Anthony Van
Roosevelt has other plans for me. /
must not at once let him know they
can never be realized"
SO they had continued to meet at the
house of Mrs. French, Gilbert's cousin,
until ten days ago Then Vivien had
failed to keep her appointment She
ignored the gifts he sent her, the flow
ers, and books, and matinee tickets.
He dared not go to the house himself,
after her express command to the con-
trary. He asked Mrs French to do so.
She came back, saying the message
given to her was that Miss Van Roose-
welt was engaged.
''lt appeared to me, Wayne" his
cousin commented, in repeating the in
cident, that Vivien had merely prof
fered an excuse for the sake of politely
dropping our acquaintance"
He could not bear to hear another
voice the dread that confronted him
"Sho would never be guilty of such
rudeness, Emily" he declared, and
took himself away.
He wrote to her once, twice, a third
time To the first two letters no reply
was returned. The third was sent back
unopened
Well, the brief romance was ended
now.
When Wayne was ready to leave the
Office, he went to the door of the pri-
vate office and knocked.
Come in," called deep voice
Mr.. Mason, the senior member of the
firm, glanced up pleasantly at the
young man, whom personally he liked,
and professionally was fast learning TO
respect
Il wish to tender my resignation.
Mr.. Mason-I am going away"
"'ro leave the city?"
"Yes, sir"
Il am sorry to hear this. Is there
any reason in the Office for your resolu-
tion?'
None, sir. My relations with all
here have been very pleasant. The
motive that influences me is purely per-
sonal."
when do you wish your resignation
to take effect?"
CAS- soon as you find it convenient"
Ten minutes later he was walking,
moody and dispirited, through the city
streets. Only those who found it
necessary to do so would venture
abroad that evening, one fancied. The
heavy snow of few days previous had
turned to slush, and this severe and
sudden cold had transformed to rough,
slippery ice An easterly wind, filled
with particles of fine, singing sleet,
was blowing.
The day had darkened down, and
street-lamps were cleaning out points
Of gold in the gloom when Wayne Gill
bert found himself before the palatial
home of Anthony Van Roosevelt The
lower floor was brightly lighted. One
blind that remained undrawn permit
ted the watcher to see into the dining
room. A servant was moving around
placing the dinner on the table which
was snowily covered and sparkling
with cut-glass and silver.
1T is no wonder" said the man on