The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-25

have considered everything bearing on
the matter and have come to the con-
cluson that the business will be safe
in your hands If you care to take
such a responsibility on your shoulders
you may commence your duties on the
first week in January. But things Will
be arranged more definitely before that
time arrives"
II thank you, sirs, from the bottom
of my heart said James gratefully.
II hope l shall prove myself worthy OF
your great kindness and consideration.
While matters were progressing IN
the room marked private the clerk,
John Sinclair, who worked in the room
adjoining, was eavesdropping. Duff
had incautiously left the room door
quite ajar, and Sinclair, taking advan-
tage of that circumstance, had heard
all and had gone home with mad,
jealous pang in his soul before Phil
more returned to his accustomed place.
Sinclair had never liked Fillmore, but
after what he had heard that night he
hated him with a perfect hatred and
had determined to thwart the benevo-
lent intentions of Cranmer and Duff as
regards their cashier and straightway
outrageous and cowardly acts that it is
possible to conceive.
The office clock was just striking the
hour of when James emerged from the
managers room. and he noticed that
Sinclair had already gone. He was
sorry for that, because he wished to
communicate to his fellow worker the
good fortune which had overtaken him.
he i,o tloa fre.f off
had gone also, for he could not hear
the customary sound of their treading
feet, which at any other time was quite
audible in his room.
He hurriedly threw off his office coat
and donned another, and, filled with
pleasurable excitement, he wended his
way homeward with more elasticity of
step than usual.
When James Fillmore sat down to
dinner he looked paler than usual, and
his wife was quick to detect the change
in his looks. OF course it was caused
by the excitement over the good for
tune that had come to him. But Mrs.
Fillmore was as yet entirely ignorant
of the turn which affairs had taken
and therefore attributed his altered
manner to illness.
You are i'll, James," she said. You
must drink glass Of wine; it will do
you a world of good. You have been
working too hard lately" and she gazed
into his honest face with a look of
mingled fear and admiration-fear on
account of what she thought were
symptoms of illness; admiration be-
cause she loved James Fillmore with
all her soul.
Tell me, Mary, am I dreaming
Shake me. 1t is too good to be true"
he exclaimed in an almost distracted
manner and with a faint smile on his
lips.
What do you say, James? You fill
me with alarm. Are you i'll? Tell me,
is there anything wrong? Dreaming,
you say, dreaming''-and she shud-
dered as an awful thought fitted across
her mind
Could his mind be deranged through
| overwork? She had heard before of
such cases.
You want a rest, James. You are
overworked"-
Fiddle dec ee!" blurted James. Il
am all right-never was better in all
my life. But l can hardly believe my
senses. The first week in January is
to find me a partner in the great firm
| of Cranmer & Duff. 1t will be Messrs
Cranmer, Duff & Fillmore then-that
sounds WELL doesn't it?"
Mrs. Fillmore now felt absolutely
certain that her husband had gone
wrong" as he was pleased to term it
when she heard this declaration, and
the manner in which he told it seemed
| 20 how TN
could not believe it was anything but
the result of an unstrung mind, caused
by overwork. And, poor thing. tear
drop started in her eye.
James Fillmore was surprised at the
manner in which the news of his gooo
fortune had been received by his wife.
Really, Mary" he began, in much
calmer tone, ARE you really sorry that
such good fortune has fallen to my
lot?"
mo, James. 1, too, thought you were
dreaming, orr
"Demented, l suppose you are going
to say?" he interjected.
"Well, you certainly gave me cause
for anxiety. I'm glad I'm mistaken
You did seem agitated, though, James,
He laughed outright, and the color
came pack 10 MS lace, ana Sue Siullel
through her tears.
II swear 1t is true, Mary. Mr.. Duff
and Mr.. Cranmer called me into theil
room this afternoon and formally &C
quainted me with their intention to APP
point me manager and to give me {
small share in the firm as a reward fol
my long services"
Mrs. Philmore's sad forebodings wer,
now somewhat dispelled by his reassur
ing manner. She kissed him and TOLD
him she was supremely happy. Ant
she was.
1t was Christmas morning. Jane!
Fillmore, on looking out of the sitting
room window, perceived that the grount
and trees and housetops were powder
ed with snow. He admired the seem
presented to his gaze; to him it wa
picturesque. A robin redbreast hoppe'