The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-29

Choate--i o., TINT in spite Of hor bleeding
hand. her ruined gown and SO out OF her
weekly wagcs sho fclt strangely but calm
ly happy.
Tho clergyman's widow camo to tho
door In alarm ut scoing her daughter
brought homo by her employer and sup
ported by him in manner which indicat-
cd that sho must BIO seriously indisposed-
really manner uncallcd for, considering
that 1t WAS only u hand that was hurt and
her two handsome feet were intact aud rs
springy rs ever. But tho righteousness
OF 1t did not seem to strike Mr.. Ormsbce
Ho half lifted her along as IL sho wcro
mortally injured and about to die, and tho
sorrowful tenderness in his eyes and tono
would have led ono to think him response
bio for her critical state, whom, in truth
1t was wholly and entirely her own fault.
When they had explained tho circum-
stances between them and Mrs. ChOato
had dressed tho wound, with tho knowl-
edge always possessed by clergymcn's
wives, she (Mrs. Choatc) invited tho gen.
tleman to be seated and talked with him
In tho easy, dignihod way Mr. Ormsbeo
had come to know SO we'll in his porfum.
cry girl.
He did not hurry. Ho seemed to DO per
fcctly comfortable and to enjoy tho con-
vcrsation of the placid faced, specialized
lady who had impaired SO much grace to
her daughter, for tho latter, no soon sow,
WIS but later copy.
BY and by tho talk seemed to turn nat
urally to Fred, and Mr.. Ormsbee, feeling
that it was good timo to express his
hopes for his nephew, quietly but clearly
expressed them and signified his intention
of making tho young man solo heir to his
possessions.
Miss Choato looked cold and dignihcd
beyond her wont.
II hope, madam" continued Mr.. Orms-
bee, addressing tho clergyman's widow,
"that you will use your influence with my
dear young lady here, who seems littlo
bent on boing unkind.'
Mrs. Choato looked into her lap reflect
tvoly, but tho eyes of Miss Choate never
left tho faco Of her employer There was
strange expression in them, and her
check was flushed with excitomcnt. She
broke tho pause that followed his speech
by saying abruptly:
a short man and q tall woman are
hidcous combination. A man should DO
just little taller than his wife"
"Oh, my dear Miss Chonte," cooxed
Mr. Ormsbeo, lis that vitality importantP"
1T is to me-" answered Miss Choatc.
1t should not be- argued Mr.. Orms-
bee. Fred is Of your own agc md that
is much"
81 am half sick of young mon, " declared
Miss Choato, nursing her hand.
My daughter, what do you meanp" in
terposcd her mother, n trillc shocked.
Just what say, mother. I like old
men best"
"Leiln!" Tho note of surprise In her
mothers tono WINS intensified now.
Il can't help 1t, mother, and donA
carc. do like old men best, and my hand
pains mo drcadfully, and 1 am going to
rctirc"-which sho Immediately did, with
cool littlo nod to Mr.. Ormsbco.
There was another face behind tho per-
fnmery counter for n week, and then Miss
Choato reappcarcd. She was glad to got
back and smiled u welcome to Mr. Orms-
bco when ho mado his customary round.
1t was very guarded smile, though, and
when no attempted to shake hands she
said:
You sec can't" displaying her right
hand, still wrapped In n thin bandago
But tho other will do" he said "In
fact, 1t will do better because it is nearest
the heart" He WAS standing behind tho
counter and speaking in voice calculated
to reach no ears but hers
He looked very handsome and cheerful
as ho stood thcro-his splendid form in
faultlcss attire and his black hnir which
showed not thread of gray, spite of his
10 years, tossed back from his broad fore
head. Miss Choatc looked mt him out of
the sides of her eyes that no might not SEQ
how She admired him, and sho appeared
very domurc, with her long lashes sweep
ing her check.
You have heard that, havo you not
about tho left handY'
"Oh, yes" she returned carccssy, ''but
there's positively nothing in it,
"What9 1t certainly is nearest tho
heart.'
Yes, really, but that doesn't prove
ANYTHING, because it may be u cold heart
1t is near, you Know
But it isn't Il cold heart In this case.
Don't tell mo that, Miss Choato because
won't believe it," Miss Choatc looked
at him strangely and mado tho reply:
This brand of olive oil is, in my opin-
Ion, no better than those wo have been
selling. 1t is bottled differently to be
sure, but have strong reason for think
ing 1t tho very same quality, with higher
price set on it," Mr.. Ormsbee, amazed Mt
the irrolovancy of hor remark, looked in
the direction her eyes Ind taken and saw
the retreating figure of tho bargain soap
girl, who had been very near during his
conversation about hearts.
That is all very we'll, of course, Miss
Choato, nc said, returning to the sioge
but am delightfully."- sure of ono thing
having had 1t from your own lips-that is,
that you like old mon best"
That statement was made under pres
sure. Please consider it void"
No; shall not" Mr.. Ormsbee had
turned his back to the bargain soap girl,
and now said in u manner that made Miss
Choato understand how thoroughly in
earnest no was: