Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-06-20
HIS SURRENDER.
ncpyright. 1893. 1

When Lilia StRley went into the oflIce of The Evening Rcformcr, she created con- siderable interest. The managing editor, as he passed through the room, gave glance at the golden head. "Who is thatf'' he said to the city editor; but, singular to :; say, he said it with q little frown. 'New girl to draw fashions. Stalcy Is her name"
 'Humphl Too many girls around. That ones too pretty to be hero. Bad for busi- ness." Tho maiiaging editor spoke with touch of irritation that surprised his "sub, " for he had always seemed friendly enough to the employment of women be- fore
 Lilia Staley became a general favorite in the office, but she had reason for saying one day to Mrs. Carter. the editor of the woman's page: "I am sure Mir. Pierson doesn't like me. He doesn't find much fault with my work, but then he never praises it either, and I'm afraid he'll turn me off before long,"
 He'd have turned you of before now if he hadn't thought pretty well of your work, my dear. I can't guess why he's always so stiff with you, but as long as he lets you alone you may be thankful.'' Pierson was the managing editor. He was n big, good looking man, young for his position and usually very pleasant and courteous with all his force. He stopped sometimes at the desks of the other wom- en for few minutes passing gossip, but never at Miss Staley's. He spoke to her rarely, and then briefly and only of busi- l ness. And she such pretty, gentle, nice girl! It puzzled every one.
 One day, after Lilia had been there six months, in an easy and gossipy moment at noon, when most of the staff were out, Mrs. Carter was chumming with the city editor and talking over the "boSS" confl- dentially, as employees will. "I wonder why in thunder he always discriminates so against Miss Staley," said the man. II call it pretty brutal all for nothing"
 Do you know. I have an Idea, said the woman.
 Heavens, you better make a copy of it quick-hasn't been such a thing around hero latelyv'
 "I'll do better" said she. "I'n make a sensation for ourselves, sec if I don't" Lilia was sometimes seen with an elder | ly man who was an old friend of her i'm valid father. That afternoon Mrs. Carter
 had, as usual, a conference with MT. Pier son in his private office. Business being l dispatched, few words "in lighter vein''
 were, as usual, indulgcd in, busy as the | public always supposed these journalists to be.
 "Tm afraid we're going to lose Miss
 Staley," said Mrs. Carter. 1T suppose you won't care, you never seemed to like her. but I'm sorry.'
 Pierson had turned toward her abruptly "What do you mean?" he said, with un-
 accountable grimness.
 "Why, hear" said the lady, that she is going to be married-to that elderly friend of her father's-what's his namci I'm afraid the child is discouraged with
 her work here, though she does very we'll '' "Why is she discouraged?" | "Oh, well, you know she never gets any praise or recognition from high places, and
 she's only child. Probably it's just as
 well for her to marry, even if it's not a great lOvC affair. She respects him." | You'll send mo those proofs as soon as | you can?' questioned the editor, thus clos ing the confercnce. But an hour after he sent for Miss Stalcy. She came in looking | frightened as usual. But the editor spoke tn her with unwOnted kindness as well as unusual sOlcmnity in his tone. "Sit down, my dear young lady, " he be- gan. I'm going very much out of my | usual way in what I'm going to say to | you. I'm moved by the thought of your | youth and incxpcricnce to speak of some
 thing that S none of my business. I have heard you are thinking of marrying-of marrying Mir. Amos Brown" | Lilia had made u movement as if about
 to speak, but Pierson, who was not lCok- i ing directly at her, still saw it and rcprcss-
 cd her with a gesture.
 Let me speak, " he said. II fear you
 have not been very happy in your work in
 this office, and fear that discouragcment
 may be driving you to take this step"
 Then, with his face still partly averted, he went on in this serious strain on the aw.
 fulness of an unhappy marriage, the dan.
 gers of disparity in years, etc., putting in
 apolOgetic words and emphasizing the fact
 that he might be mistaken in all his sup. | positions as to her motives. At last he
 camo to a pause and turned gloomy eyes
 on the girl. She then in bewildcred, half l childish way spoke.
 But, Mir Pierson, never thought oi
 marrying Mir. Brown," she said. A remarkable change came over the ed
 itOr's countenance-scveral of them, in
 fact, one after another-and then the
 strangest thing happened. He leaned to.
 ward her, and with a burst of feeling that
 was wholly childlike in its simplicity he
 said:
 "Oh, child, won't you think of marry,
 ing me?''
 Then the engagement was announced,
 and Miss Stalcy left tho office forever a
 week later. VIOLA RosEBoRo'