The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-09-24
how she is, Arthur-if it's anything Sc

seem 70 he in Il hurry to start. and aftel
!, watching him few minutes, NJ
Browning put on his hat and went cr
tic errand himself. He hadn't walked
NOR" than half a dozen blocks. how.
ever, before the young gentleman
sprang UP, and giving hasty peep at
the mirror, grasped his cap and started
: into the street.
Mr.. Browning rang the bell at Miss
Harding's boarding. house, and was
shown into the parlor, where he await
cd the lady's appearance. She entered
in Il little While, looking sweetly, in a
morning wrapper of white muslin. with
a tiny bow of scarlet ribbon at the
throat and waist. Her employer was
not man much given to cOlnplimep ut
ing ladies, but he certainly made NJ ss
Harding Il very pretty speech on her
taste in dress. She received it with 4
slight smile and quiet bow. as if it were
n matter of course-somcthing she was
quite accustomed to. Her indsposition
was nothing more than Il headache,
she said, in answer to his inquiries. but
X had been very severe al night. and
she felt hardly able to attend to bust
ness that day.
Quite right, quite right" Mr..
Browning said. "He never wished her
to exert herself when she was not quite
well. He had noticed her looking pale
for n day or two; she must not over
work herself"
His face was quite flushed with earn
estness. and Miss Harding gave him
an odd look from under her long lashes
as he spoke. Suddenly the door was
thrown open. and Mr.. Arthur Brown
| ing was announced. On entering, that
young gentleman started, and opened
his eyes very wide at the sight of his
| father, while Mr.. Browning. senior,
expressed as much surprise and more
confusion. Miss Mary Harding
blushed, as she gave Arthur her pretty
hand. But after Il few explanations,
the three got along very well together,
though Arthur was rather more quiet
and thoughtful than usual. The gen.
tlcmen did not stay long, however, and
as they were on their way to the store
again, Mr.. Browning observed, sud
denly:
"A very nice girl, Arthur"
Yes" Arthur assented heartily. and
then blushed up to his handsome eyes.
but his father was too busy with his
own thoughts to notice it.
Il admire her very much," said Mr..
Browning. "Ahem-in fact, Arthur, l
have thought of making her my wife,
if she would accept me-"
"What! You marry Mary Hard
ing?" exclaimed Arthur, eXcitedly, and
then he cured his lips as if in derisiOn.
Really" Arthur. l had no thought
that you would take it So" said the
elder gentleman, apparently somewhat
hurt. why do you really object to
my marrying this young ladyT'
'1cS. father, l seriously and emphat-
ically object, and if you value my love
and respect. you will give up the idea,"
and unlinking his arm from his fathers
the young gentleman separated from
him at the door Of the store
80 dear"' said Mr. Browning, alone |
in his office; "how proud Arthur is! He |
|
l suppose, but the girl is intelligent and |
well educated, and think there would |
not be much sacrificed. She came Cf |
good family, too. Perhaps Arthur will
change his mind. I'll do all can to
overcome his prejudices. l think the
trouble is, that he doesn't appreciate
her. They must get better acquaint-
ed"
And forthwith it seemed to be the
first and most important thought of Mr..
BrOwning's mind. to get Arthur in Miss
Harding's company. He invented
every possible way to draw her out be-
fore him, but he often found it no easy
matter. for the young lady seemed as
shy of Arthur rs Arthur did of her.
Matters were in this State-and Mr..
Browning fretted over them very
much-when Miss Harding Informed
him one evening that she should like to
work until ten O'clock at night. He
suppOsng that she had suffi-
cieDt reason for the request. but it was
moi until the hour arrived for him to
go home-for he never spent his even
ings at the store-that he happened to
recollect that it would be unsafe for
her to go home alone.
Il hate to trouble you, Arthur" he
said. privately to his son, but it
would not be right to allow her to be
OUT so late alone. and the evenings are
gett ng so cold now, that l don't like
TO be out with my rheumatism. though
L would go rather than she should be 4,
alone" {
80 well. father. I'll co. CT course. [
Don't fre:: I'll see her home" said Ar
thur. amiably.
".Arthur's good boy" said Mr..
10 himself. as he walked the
length of the long salesroom. 1--we no
doubt that it's quite sacrifice for him
to make. but he made it without any
wry face. Yes, a very good boy
Mr.. BrOwning-dear. honest. blinded
nan-!isten to me. After you had gone
your son jumped up from his chair
where you left him reading. tossed his {
book helter-Skelter behind a table. ran
across the room to where pretty Mary ]
was sitting, and taking her s
Up. aflll-cHalr anu ail, carried uef 10 Il
,lace before the fire. and put screen '
between her and the gaslight. Then {
~ dragged a stool up before her desk
md fell to writing III less than an &
,"ur the work was done. for he was
resh and earnest, and she had been
all day with Il headache.
Then he brought her Overshoes-ho c
lid he know where she kept them? |
I'M sure you couldn't have to.d-put
hem Cn for her. wrapped her in her I
hawl. tied her pretty rigOlette beneath S
Ter dimpled chin, and finally tucked il
Ter little hand beneath his arm, and q
marched down the street in the direc- l.
ion of her home. What! you won't lis L
en- ?-actually walking away while l t
m talking! o. you obstinate old bat. Il
Veil. would you have been convinced e
{ you had been awake and heard Ar [
hur come softly into the house at half t
'aSt three? G