The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-07-19
IRENE MENTIONS COUR-
AGE.
BY TIIYRA DERRING

"a daughter -df the gods, dlyncly
tlIl And most dlyincly fair" with cX-
Quisitely modelled features and eyes
the color Of the sea in the tropics.
Such was Irene Mention, the book
keeper and stcnographer in the busi-
ness Office Of Mr.. Charles Merriacld,
wealthy young banker and broker
Of Boston.
Miss Mcnton," said Mr.. Merrifeld,
there is lot work for me to do to-
night: could you spare two or three
hours this evening and come and
help me? The work has to be done
tonight, and if you are not here
to take notes in shorthand, !, alone,
will never get through before day
light tomorrow"
Mr. Merriticld disllked the noise of
the typewriter machine, and much
preferred that his shorthand dlcta-
ti0ns should be written in Miss Men
tons clear and beautiful handwriting.
Besides, the delight of having her
present at the Office while he worked,
was so great that he could not resist
the desire of asking her to cone back
in the evening.
Irene Mention bluShcd with pleasure,
for she was very much in love with
this handsome, big fellow, who was
so good and considcrate to her, a poor
working girl, who had no near rela-
tivcs, ahd who had only known neg
lect and GODDESS during her short life.
So after saying to him that she
would be back at 7 O'Clock, she pinned
her hat on her pretty head and went
toward her humble home for her even.
ing meal.
In the meantime the young man
was thinking tcnderly of her.
"Bless her dear, sweet heart,n he
was saying, "shc is the loveliest and
best woman in all this beautiful earth,
and | love her so, that sometimes
can hardly control myself, and not
take her in my arms, and kiss her un-
til | bring some color to her pale
cheeks, and the smiles to her bcauti-
ful eyes and lips. Besides, she may
not care for me-" he continued de-
spondently. "StTc is very lovely, and
only nineteen, and | am a very unin-
teresting fellow, nearly thirty-tve
years of age.
Anyway, I'll try my luck tonight"
he concluded, as he locked the Office
door. and went away for his dinner.
One hour afterward, and Mr.. Mcrri-
field and his stenographer were busy
at their work, and although the two
hearts were merrily singing with the
mere gladness of being together, yet
their outward appearance was so COM
posed and quiet that no one, observ-
ing them at their work, would have
taken them for people who were madly
in love with each other.
A short time after Mr.. Mcrrifcld
took a bundle of papers which Miss
Mention had just written, and said:
III have to so and carry these papers
to gentleman whose Office is near
here; he is waiting for them, and |
may be detained there for some time.
1t is now quarter past 8, at about ten
minutes to 8 l shall be back. You
will not go away before my return,
even II you finish your work ?" he half.
implored, half-askcd, "and"-besitat-
ingly-"will you let me escort you
home, lrene?"
AS he spoke he placed his hand on
hers which was lying, white and SOFT
on the desk.
A burning blush covered her cheeks,
and he had to stoop to hear her whis-
pered "Yes!"
Nearly intoxicated with happiness,
he rushed from the r0om for In an
other moment he would have taken
her In his arms, and the other man
might have waited In vain for his
papers.
The hands OF the large clock on the
wall pointed TO fifteen before Q.
Miss Mention, having finished her
writing. put on her wraps and hat,