Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-07-04
faE WF0ADtas or Il DRkaM,
BY w. W.. CANFIELD.

J
I Powell made this announcement the
astonished clerk found himself jabbing
the point Of the instrument into his leg
to make sure he was awake.
"Of course" continued Mr.. Powell,
''I shall consider your future service
much more valuable than it has been in
the past Your responsibilities will be
greatly increased I do not expect to
give affairs such close individual stten-
ton hereafter, and commencing at once
your salary will be double the present
figure. ,,.,s - .'.s. .e.,.,... ,....'..
Another jab Of the eraser, and one
hard enough 10 make him finch, was
required to make Kendall believe It pos
sible that he could be awake. He man
aged to murmur his thanks for his en-
ployer's kindness, and he added pledge
Of careful attention to whatever bust
ness might be intrusted to him.
II have no doubt Of that" said Me-
Powell assuringly. And then he added: :
"It has given me no little concern to
observe that an attachment has develop
ed between you and our stenographer,
Miss Villa T have believed that it
would interfere with the usefulness Of
both, but under the changed circum-
stances In which find myself can as
sure you that it would greatly please
me If you would marry. In fact, have
been moved to offer you the increase In
salary that you may be able to do sc"
This was too much for honest and
ttmid John Kendall He knew he was
dreaming now, and the pricking Of the
sharp blade Of the eraser could not make
him believe otherwise. How had this
stern, gray, quiet, speculation absorbed
bachelor surmised the secret heretofore
held only by Anna and himself They
had been 80 careful at all times when he
was present not to betray by look, tone
Of voice or manner the regard they felt
for each other, fearing that his apparent.
" cold and selfish nature would lead
him to look upon honest love making as
inimical to the pursuits of business
They had heard him scof about wives
and children as encumbrasces to busi-
ness or professional men; his !cynicism
had frequently in their presence been
sharply directed against lovers and love
making, but here he was, sitting calmly
at his desk before John Kendall, ap-
parently In his right mind, and in one
moment granting an increase in salary
and in the next proposing marriage
that both had felt certain he would bit
terly oppose.
"You don't say anything, Kendall
Does the plan suit your" asked the com
posed employer.
'I-I can t say anything, sir-that is,
I don't know what to say, sir. / am
afraid was inatteutive and did not hear
you correctly" he stammered
"Oh, you heard me all right, John.
You are not hard Of hearing and were
looking directly at me-"
"Well, then, Mr. Powell, to. tell the
truth, sir, don't believe I am awake
I am Of the opinion that am dream
ing"
"People have very strange dreams
sometimes, Kendall" And he paused q
moment, as though recalling one "You
are not Tn the middle Of one now, how
ever. You are awake and about to real
ize the fufillment Of your hopes and q
partial reward for your faithful, honest
service. II you have any doubts, step
into the inside Office and repeat to Miss
Willis the proposition I have made you
I guarantee your doubts will vanish. "
The first smile John Kendall ever
saw upon the face Of the man by whom
he had been employed now nearly ten
years was when he turned to follow out
this suggestion. Afterward John recall
ed that in the brief moment occupied by
his stepping across the room and over
the threshold of the inner Office where
Anna Willis was engaged with her work
he made up his mind that he had the
good fortune to be employed by the
kindest and most considerate man In all
New York. A few minutes later the
happy little stenographer was Of the
same opinion, for John told his story
quickly, and they came into Mr.. Pow
ellis room arm in arm.
Early the Monday morning following,
on June 2, Mr.. Powell's footsteps were
turned in direction wholly unfamiliar,
for during his long residence in the city
he seldom stepped outside Of certain
streets which led him to and from his
business His thoughts too were in