Daily camera., 1897-08-20


We entertain a small party. l want
you" Thus the dispatch ran, and it was
signed by name very dear to me-Flor-
ence Morley.
would willingly have gone to the
antipodes to please the lovely young
woman. and my disappointment was
keen when I thought of the time lock
having been set to open at half-past
| eight the following morning. For Fair
lawn was country seat of Mr.. Nor
ley's, about 30 miles distant, and |
should not be able to return until near
| ly ten o'clock in the morning, ard the
| combination lock would be unprotected
full hour before the arrival Of any
OF the employees. It was highly i'm
probable that any thief expert enough
to open the combination would al tempt
the lock. even if it were known that the
time mechanism had run down. The
risk would be very slight. and | was
tempted to take it. But, knowing, even
though no consequences should be the
result, that by doing so I would break
a very stringent rule, l resisted the
temptation, and in no very good humor
started for a telegraph office for the
purpose of sending a dispatch to Miss
Morley stating my inability to accept
her invitation.
On my way ] met an associate in the
bank, named Horace jackson. He WIS
one of the bookkeepers, a man about
40 years old, and quiet, reserved fell
low. He never mingled in any dispute
or controversy among the clerks, was a
competent accountant, and lived a Sc
cluded life outside of the bank. He
was bachelor, and did not seem to
have any special friends. 1t was GER
tain he never chummed or cronied with
any of his associates in the bank.
"Mr. jackson, will you do me a ia
vor?" asked, as he paused in his walk.
'Most willingly, Mr.. Conway. You
have but to state it," he answered, af-
fably.
stated the circumstances concern
ing the lock. 1T is possible that I will
be unable to be on hand at half past
eight" l added.
And you wish me to be at the bank
in your place?" he said.
"Yes, if it would not inconvenience
you,'
Not at all. I will be there, so the
rule will be complied with. Oh, stay a
moment. There is an old aunt of mine
over in Camden who is i'll, and | might
possibly be summoped to her bedside"
"Well, then, let it go. I'll stay at
home, and go to the bank, as intended,
myself" l said, feeling quite disap-
pointed.
"But if I say 1 will be at the bank
you may depend on me, Mr.. Conway,
sick aunt or not" Jackson went on.
He really seemed so willing to do me
the favor that l could only reply:
"Thank you very much. I'll depend on
you. 1t will be doing me a great favor
indeed I'll reciprocate some day"
Not another word, Mr.. Conway, on
the subject. Go and enjoy yourself"
Then he regarded me with a smile as he
continued: 81 suppose it is Miss Nor
ley that you intend to visit. Now, |
am just on my way to see her father
at his Office"
"Oh, you are acquainted with the
Morleys, them" | remarked, somewhat
coldly, for did not relish his bringing
Florence Morley's name into the con
versation.
only slightly acquainted. I am in
terested in a few business ventures
with Mr. Morley. My acquaintance ex-
tends no further Jackson said
Ireturned to my lodgings Iight-heart
ed and happy at the prospect of again
seeing the sweet girl whom | had loved
and worshiped for some time in secret.
So then Horace Jackson was =,
quainted with Mr.. Morley. could no.
but feel greater respect for jackson.
For Mr.. Morley was one of the most IL
fluential and highly thought-of men in
Philadelphia, and, besides. was one of
the trustees of the bank. jackson Lad
never boasted of his relations with
such an influential man: indeed, ! lad
never even heard him mention the fact
before this.
l had felt all along that it would be
presumptuous for me to aspire to b"
Florence Morley's husband. But this
evening she was so gracious, 50 sweet
and lovable, that it was impossible for
me to resist the impulse to tell her oI
my love. To my intense happiness
discovered that my humble self was by
no means an object of Indifference to
her.
Mr.. Morley was of dignified com
manding presence, and rather ovc"awci
me. 1t would be no easy matter to ask
his consent to marry his daughter,
Florence was his only child, and all the
purposes of the fathers life seemed to
center in his motherless daughter Still
| knew | must approach him some day,
and there was comfort in the fact that
he had always met me in kindly. if
dignified and reserved, manner. lie
had never given me any cause to think
that my attentions to his daughter
were obnoxious to him; but then those
attentions had been extended out of
r.. i l.. IL l..