The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-05-31

| OhC a
lope addressed in the familiar hand
With quickened pulses he opened it,
and found it contained only an invita-
ton to dinner at the house of friend,
Mrs. Gaylord Brown. The next day
came an invitation to musicale at
another house, written by the same
hand. Hastings noted that these
ladies belonged to the especial circle
in which Vera, Mad re and Jessie NOV
ed, and saw that the same person was
| employed as amanuenSis by all of
them. But how to find her out-that
was the question.
He met Dick Willow on the street
one day, and at his urgent request ac-
companied him home to dine There
were several other guests present, SO
that they made quite a party when
they went in to dinner.
They had just taken their places
when side door opened and young
lady came quietly in and took the seat
opposite to Hastings. Miss st. Clair,
Mr.. Hastings was the brief introduc-
ton Mrs. Willow gave them before
they took their seats, but Hastings
caught the quick flash in the brown
eyes, and noticed the flush that crept
over cheek and brow at the sound of
his name. ''Here at last is the author
of my letters, " was his instant conclu-
sion.
Though he appeared to devote him
self to the lady by whom he sat, he
was keenly watchful of the girl OPP
posite, and admired her well-bred self
possession.
air, and fitted perfectly the ideal
,rh; al, a Of ha
man whose letters had attracted him
across half the continent.
who is this Miss st. Clair to whom
[ was introduced at dinner - he in
quired of Dick as they smoked their
| after-dinner cigars together.
"She is Jessie's amanuensis" replied
Dick. You see, it was this way.
Miss st. Clair was seamstress whom
Madam Fairchild sent to our house to
receive some orders. She wrote them
down SO beautifully that mother was
astonished and inquired into her his
tory. 1t seems that she had been fine
ly educated and was once wealthy,
but her father died insolvent, and she
was left alone to make her living as
best she could. So she took to doing
dressmaking until something better
should offer. Jess interested herself
in the lady's behalf, and quite num-
Der of the society ladies employed her
as amanuensis. She goes regularly
from house to house, gives perfect salts
| faction and receives good wages. She
| writes letters, invitations, essays and
poems, and is the real secretary of all
their societies. They say her talent
| for letter-writing is marvellous, and
| every letter of which they are at all
particular is given into her hands to
| answer. Her style is faultless, and
| she never betrays one persons affairs
to another. That is all l know about
her
DO you suppose l could get her to
do some copying for me - Hastings
inquired.
I'm sure don't know. She is in the
| library waiting for lot of invitations
| for Jess, and if you like you can speak
with her while | go to order the car
riage for mother" And Dick led the
way to the library.
Miss st. Clair sat at desk in one of
the window alcoves, and merely look
ing up as the gentlemen entered, went
on with her writing.
Miss st. Clair" said Dick, going
| forward, my friend, Mr.. Hastings, has
learned that YOU do amanuensis work,
| and desires to speak with you in re-
gard to doing some for him. Now,
Hastings, if you'll excuse he l will be
back shortly
Miss st. Clair was playing nervously
| with her pen. She did not know that
| Hastings was aware that she had writ
ten the letters he had received for nine
months past, but she knew that the
| L i lNxN, Il lnaa
saw the handwriting. 1t was only an
| instant then she regained her self
possession, and looking up said:
You wish to have some writing
done, sir -
No" replied Hastings, drawing a
chair near the desk. Il only wish to
speak of some that has been DONE"
She gave quick, startled glance
into his eyes, and warm flush surged
up over her face:
II am not at liberty to discuss work
that has been done for my patrons"
she replied, vainly trying to make her
tones quiet and cool.
But l am at liberty to discuss let
tiers that have been written to myself,
am | not ~ he questioned.
She glanced up with an embarrass-
ed smile aud answ cred
You will have to be your own
Judge"
"Do not treat me as n stranger, Miss
st. Clair" he pleaded. Surely after
all the letters that have passed be-
tween uswe may claim acquaintance"
"You forget that the letters were
written for Others" she said quietly.
Yes he replied with a passionate
ring in his voice, Il forgot that long
ago" Then he added more quietly:
1T has been the most delightful cor
respondence of my life. You cannot
imagine what your letters have been
to poor lonely fellow away out on
the mountains and in mining camps.
They were refreshing draughts to my
thirsty soul. No, understand what
YOU would say"-as she raised her
hand with a gesture of dissent. They
NAV have been written for others and
signed with the names of others, but
it was your mind and soul that went
into them. | did not understand, at
first, they were so different from what
expected to receive. But | quit try
ing to understand and gave myself up
to utter enjoyment. 1t made no diff
ference whose name was signed to let
ter, the three became as one to me.-
Can you not understand how it WASP
He was leaning eagerly toward her,
and she felt the passion in his voice
and manner, so she did not trust her.
self to look up as she replied:
II think understand. | am glad
that the letters served the purpose
for which their owners sent them. and
that they whiled away some of your
loneliness. Will GU not please ex-
cuse me from discussing them any
further?''
She looked up in a vain attempt TO APP
pear self-possessed, but her eyes be-
trayed her.
He lealed nearer to her and said
pleadingly:
do not turn Inc away so, after
have come all the way to New York to
see you. Will you not admit that you