The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-06

tell with whom to replace him. Until you
came in it never occurred TO me to give
the situation to a woman. 1t doesn't
quite Jump with our preconceived notions
of things, that a woman, of all persons,
should be the one to keep a secret, but
most of our preconceived notions are
wrong, and if you are willing to try the
experiment, | am. OF course, you would
be dealing entirely with men, but l am
sure you would meet with nothing but
the utmost courtesy from all"
20, l am sure of that" said Miss Nc
Clintoch, earnestly. IF you give me the
opportunity l don't think you will have
reason to regret it."
very well; then we shall look on it as
settled Call here tomorrow morning at
| 10 o'clock, and / will myself escort you
to the board of trade. l shall leave one
of my assistants with you in the office
! for week, and by that time you will
probably be familiar with your new du-
ties. Anything you do not understand he
will be at hand to to explain.
Promptly at the appointed hour Elinor
waited upon the manager at his office,
and together they walked to the tall
building in which was housed the board
of trade, the only legalized gambling place
in the city, where methods differed some
| what from those at Monte Carlo. these
differences being entirely in favor Of the
Mediterranean resort, for there the I'M
scrupulous gambler obtains no advantage
over his comparatively innocent competi-
tor and lies have no special market value
Every city in the land holds up its hands
in horror at the mention Of Monte Carlo,
but points with just pride to its stock
exchange building. Thus do we honestly
| acquire the reputation OF being a humOr-
Gus people.
| Mr. Sandys was silent during the grea-
er part Of the walk, and Elinor's mind
was busy picturing the new life about to
open before her, so greatly dissimilar to
the old The crisp freshness of the air,
and the bracing influence of her long walk
to the managers office had exhilarated
the girl, who experienced, without know
ing it, the glorious prerogative of youth.
Added to this was the delicious sense of
being about to earn honestly what money
she needed; blessed independence! the
greatest boon that can be bestowed upon
any living creature.
Sandys had pretended the day before
| that their conference had been based en-
tire1y on business principles, but no ques-
| tiOn of salary arose between them, which
| would have been one of the first points
to be discussed with any one else by the
manager, after the question Of skill was
settled. The girl had felt no anxiety ON
| this score, being content to leave the a.
mount to her fathers old friend, and
her confidence was not misplaced. "That
is the board of trade building" said her
companion, speaking for the first time
since they set out together.
YES" she replied; Il walked around to
see it after my talk with you, but / did
not go in"
''Well, we will go in now. I hope you
have weighed we'll what said to you yes
terday. There is no doubt in my mind
that after you learn the ways of the Of
| flee you will prove quite competent to fill
the situation; but you must never forget
that the great qualification, equal in inn
portance to your speed at the key, is Sc
crecy-absolute secrecy. Not even in the
sanctity Of your own home, to your own
mother, must you breathe hint Of any
thing that comes over the wires. You
understand that thoroughly, l trust?'
30, yes, Mr.. Sandys. You need never
have the least fear about that, / feel as
if / had joined some awful society, and
taken a most terrible oath, with perfectly
dreadful penalties. 1 thought about it
last night until fell asleep, and then /
dreamed the most frightful things; that
masked men, with red-hot pinchers, were
trying to make me tell what your occupa-
ton was, and what you had said to me,
although l screamed and awoke myself,
all in a tremble, never told"
| The manager smiled grimly, and said,
seriously:
'"That is the right spirit, and here we
are, at the door of the inquisition."