The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-10-08
Quite an odd idea for us, isn't it? hav-
ing a lady bookkeeper"

Yes" Arthur said going to his desk
again and falling to writing vigorously.
During the next day Mr.. Browning
satisfied himself that the young lady's
character was unexceptionable, and
when she called at the appointed time
the situation was given to her.
The next Monday morning she COM
menced work. At first she. required
some little assistance, which Arthur
gave her, very cOurteously, and after
that she went on alone. Mr.. Browning
kept an eye on her. for day or two,
as he expressed it, and then rubbed his
hands again and nodded approvingly.
Really, that gentleman's satisfaction
seemed intense. He had habit of sit
ting before the table with paper
across his knees, and his eyes fixed,
thoughtfully, on the new bookkeeper.
He never missed an opportunity of
speaking with her, and always smiled
graciously when he addressed her.
Perhaps it was because the lady her
self always smiled when she spoke;
and, by the way, her smile was very
pleasant, and revealed a row Of teeth
as white as milk. She was very indus
trious, too much so, Mr.. Browning
thought, and ventured to ask her, one
day, If she were not wearying herself.
NO" she said, ''she was used to
steady labor"
But one morning Mr.. Browning en-
tered the Office to miss the thoughtful
face with its smooth hair at the desk
in the corner. Miss Harding had not
come In, and it was not long before a
little boy called, to say that she was
i'll.
"Oh, dear" said Mr.. Browning,
fidgeting about, when he was told of 1t,
II am really sorry; l wish you'd step
round to her boarding place, and see
how she Is, Arthur-if it's anything Sc
rious."
Arthur was engaged in reading, and
though he nodded and said: "Yes,
father" pleasantly enough, he didn't
seem to be in hurry to start, and after
watching him few minutes, Mr..
Browning put on his hat and went on
the errand himself. He hadn't walked
more than half 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
ed the lady's appearance. She entered
tn, n q
morning wrapper of white muslin, with
a tiny bow of scarlet ribbon at the
throat and waist. Her employer was
not a man much given to compliment
ing ladies, but he certainly made Miss
Harding very pretty speech on her
taste in dress. She received it with a
slight smile and quiet bow, as If it were
a matter of course-something she was
quite accustomed to. Her indisposition
was nothing more than a headache,
she said, in answer to his inquiries, but
il had been very severe all night and
she felt hardly able to attend to busi-
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 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 few explanations,
the three got along very well together,
though Arthur was rather more quiet
and thoughtful than usual. The gen
tlemen 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"
EYES," Arthur assented heartily, and
then Hushed up to his handsome eyes,
but his father was too busy with his
own thoughts to notice 1t.
II admire her very much," said MI
Browning. "Ahem-in fact, Arthur, l
have thought of making her my wife,
IL she would accept me-"
what! You marry Mary Hard
ing?' exclaimed Arthur, excitedly, and
then he curled his lips as IL 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 ladyY'
Yes, father, 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.
40 dearr' said Mr.. Browning, alone
in his office; 'how proud Arthur Is! He
considers such marriage beneath me,
/ suppose, but the girl is Intelligent and
well educated, and think there would