Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-03-21

"This is my wife, Mr.. Lyon" he
said with evident pride.
The man of wealth and station
bowed with old-time grace to the
modest little woman.
81 am glad to meet you both, he
said. II suppose you came out from
the city for this evening
ooh, no; we are living here in the
village" Their, as Mr.. Lyon seemed
interested, Tom added, 81 have rented
the Warner cottage, over the hill"
"a very pleasant place, but quite
long walk for you. l should think
you would have chosen a house nearer
the station.
at is not entirely matter of
choice" explained Tom. 1T is the
only place where the rent was within
my means, and, indeed, l enjoy the
walk.
"Humpht' CALCULATED Mr.. Lyon ;
then, with a quick, sharp glance at the
lady: Mrs. Merton, l see that my
wife is disengaged just at this mo-
ment, and l should like to introduce
you to her
"Whew !" CALCULATED Tom, softly,
as he watched his wife move down the
room on the arm of his employer.
"What would the fellows in the Office
say to that? And what does it mean,
anyway.
He was still puzzling over the mat
ter when she rejoined him, later on.
He made her low bow of mock rev.
erence
ooh, Tom, what did you think when
Mr.. Lyon asked me to go with him
and be introduced to his wife,
Think? l was too dumbfounded
to do anything else but stare In
amazement, as l saw him present you
to his wife with as much courtesy as if
you were the first lady in the land.
He has always seemed so reserved and
naughty. l had no idea he would
condescend to persons Of such low es-
tate as all assistant bookkeeper and
his wife, be she ever so fair and charm
ing. I say, Nell, how did you feel,
sailing through the crowd on the arm
of the Grand Mogul himself?"
"Oh, Tom" with a little gasp, 81
never once thought of him in that
way. | only remembered he was the
man upon whose decision your sue
cess depended. When he left me with
Mrs. Lyon, she was so sweet and
gracious, not bit condescending. |
seemed to have known her ever so
long. Why, before l knew it, | was
telling her all about our little home
the garden, the chickens, and all.
Meanwhile the senior partner said
to his wife:
What do you think of Mrs. Mer-
ton?"
"a bright and sensible little woman;
she lives over in the Warner cottage,
which they are fitting up and furnish
ing one room at time, as they can
afford for she has holy horror of
debt. She does her own work, sew
ing included, and is altogether ener-
getic and capable"
Glow did you manage to find out
so much, my desr?"
81 suspected from your look and
manner, that you wanted me to do a
little private detective work was |
right
"Quite so, and your report is both
complete and satisfactory. You see'
Helen, Mr.. Merton has applied for
Harrison's position. He has been very
highly endorsed by the other members
of the firm, but hesitated. He IS
quite young, and seemed SO full of life
and fun, was afraid he was hardly
steady enough for so responsible po-
sition. You know my theory, dear
that a wife must either make or mar
her husbands life. When | saw Mrs.
Merton in her plain, questionable
dress that was neither silk nor satin,
l thought the ballast he might possi-
| bly, need would be found IN senslOIe
wife. found her intelligent, educated
and ladylike. What you tell me in-
creases my confidence in her, and |
have decided to advance him to the
position he desires.
Mr.. Lyon tore leaf from his men,
orandum book and read few lines,
which his wife read apprOvingly;
Mr.. Thomas Merton.
Dear Sir: The firm has decided to
accept your application for the position
of head bookkeeper You will report to
| Mr.. Harrison tomorrow for instruction
in YOUR new duties AS one member OF
| Grr, I m oylad IN | feel hes