The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-03-24

small hotel and rests during the night as
best he can under the circumstances. The
next morning finds him on the streets of
the city again. In vain does he enter the
many places of business which fill them.
He is about to give up in despair when he
notices sign in one of the store windows
which reads thus "Wanted-A good,
honest and thoroughly reliable man as
clerk; apply within" With heart full
of hope he enters and makes known his
request. A close examination follows, and
results in his being accepted as clerk by
the firm of one of the leading establish
ments in the city. He secures board at a
private house not far distant and is re-
quested to report at the store the next
morning
The next morning finds him at bis post
at the appointed hour. His duties are ex-
planned and in a short time he enters into
the work which is to him pleasure. The
months pass and the first year is ushered
out of time into eternity. Harder and
harder does he work and more and more
does he win the admiration of his employ
ers. Thus, though the compensation re-
ceived at first was only moderate, he is
promoted until at last he occupies the posi-
ton of head clerk. From this he rises to
the exalted place of partner in the great
firm. Although he has reached the eli
max of his hopes, yet does he not relax his
energy but strains every nerve to promote
the interests of the business. 1t daily in
creases and little by little the young man
lays the foundation for success. Three
years pass and at the end of the fourth
year the now wealthy Albert Rutherford
becomes sole proprietor of the entire estab-
lishment by buying out the other members
of the firm. Round by round he ascends
the ladder of fortune until, at the end of
another year, he is recognized as one of
the wealthiest men within the city's limits.
He has grown more handsome than ever,
and in his face honesty shines out in all
its brightness.
In the years which have passed since
last he saw his native home he has never
forgotten the face which bore so great
part in the history of his early manhood
days. The letters which frequently pass
between them bear witness to the fact that
the old love is still there. And Albert
Rutherford, now in his twenty ninth year,
boards the train for his old home in the
first part of the month of showers.
! CHAPTER ILL.,
The little town of Rockport has under
gone few changes in the six years that
have slowly passed to Esther Stockton.
With heart torn and bleeding from the
sudden departure of the one whose life
had become part of hers she visits their
old haunts. Within the depths of her
eyes is revealed the sadness which now
forms part Of her yoHug life. Qftentimes
she wanders to the banks of the lake and,
loosing boat, sails out upon its sparkling
waters. But, though the letters from her
lover are full of tenderness and love, vet
there remains vacancy within her life
which nothing but his presence can FILL
How she longs for a happy return of the
halcyon days of the past. The few years
which have passed since the parting have
added but new charm to the graceful
form and sweet face of Esther Though
new sorrow has been added in the death
of her aunt, yet from the sad outlines of
her eyes shines peculiar tenderness and
beauty. The sorrow which has been ush-
cred into her life during these years has
only served to sweeten her disposition and
rear patient spirit within the recesses of |
her heart. Her love is not like the love
which so many of the young ladies of her
time seemingly boast of. In the depths !
Of her soul burns fire whose fame is fed |
by one of the noblest of womanly endow-
ments-sincerity. No false affection occu,
pies for moment q place within her loyal
heart. In all her walks she is the same
true and noble woman, spurning the wrong
and accepting the right.
'Tis in the early part of April, and after
a winter whose sombre days have sent hut
little light into her life, Esther welcomes
the first approach of the spring days. The
refreshing showers have caused the green
to cover the fields which have so long been
bare. The warble of the birds is heard
as they fly from branch to branch in the
trees, and the waters of the lake are spark
ling in the MONDAY sun. Esther has been
out since early morn enjoying the pleas
ure of a sail upon its calm waters. But
though the spring has taken part of the
gloom ont Of her life, there yet remains
a noticeable portion of the sadness which
has fingered so long with her. With her
head slightly dropped she rows on and on,
forgetful of the distance which she has
travelled as she gives up to the flow of
thought within her mind. Thus the time
speeds on and the little church clock rings
out the hour of three. Aroused from her
reveric by its clear tones she lifts her eyes
and finds that she has drifted much farther
out than she had intended. So she quickly
turns the boat in the direction of home.
On reaching the banks of the lake she
secures the boat and speeds along the high
way to her place of abode. The pleasant
home which helonoed Tn her amt had =,