The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-12-02
o. There isn't any eccupa-

joke me about the poor working girl as
much as he pleases."
Nancy turned towards the corner, but
stopped suddenly in the very middle of
a puddle. There is only one place left
on my list she thought, land might
as well look at that, and do the whole
thing up thoroughly and forever. 1t is
about here somewhere, and there's one
chance in a hundred that they want
woman to do something else besides
scrub
a huge building doomed up before her
through the mist, and thenumber above
, the door seemed to beckon her like
finger
The elevator boy made generous room
for the dripping umbrella, and surveyed
the bedraggled young woman somewhat
curiously.
Robbins & Smith," he said, sixth
floor. Here you are, to the left, 246."
Thank you," said Nancy. She turned
down the long hall with tired little
sigh. IF look half as miserable as 1
feel" she thought, grimly, they'll take
me in and give me a situation out of
| pure charity. l believe, if Martha could
see me now, she would expire cheer
| fully"
The door was ajar, and Nancy pushed
it open and crossed the threshold The
office was empty, with the exception of
one tall figure, in gray tweed suit, who
stood at the window, looking out at
the driving rain.
rs this Robbins & Smith," asked
Nancy, timidly.
The man turned suddenly at the
sound of her voice, and made a hasty
step towards her.
Nancy! Nancy! Great Heavens!
Hou?" said Jerry Dennison.
The room seemed to whirl about
Nancy's head like the merry -go-round,
and her wet umbrella dropped to the
! floor. If ever confusion and amaze
ment reisned in a damsel's heart, it
sink through the floor, to disappear in
any fashion out of sight of that puzzled,
uncertain facet
Nancy" said he, what does this
mean? Is there anything the matter?
Anything l can do?'
Nancy lifted her head, a touch of her
audacity came back.
Yes, you cam" she said. "Since [
have stumbled in upon you in this abb
surd way, perhaps you will be kind
CROUCH TO direct me to Robbins d
Smiths office"
1T is two doors beyond, l believe"
said Dennison, slowly. I'VE have only
been here since Monday ourselves. 1t
| is Saturday afternoon, you know, and
hardly think you will be able to find
them in. OF course l have no right to
inquire but may venture TO ask what
/ you want with Robbins &; Smith,"
Nancy turned towards the door. NO,
you haven't any right she said, but [
don't mind telling you. I'm looking for
a situation"
"A situation?" said Dennison. You
"A situation? Is anything wrong at
home? Bob-Martha?"
NO" said Nancy. It's just because
1 wanted to-just-just for a change,
you know"
She put her hand on the door and
turned away. Good afternoon" she
said.
you have forgotten your umbrella"
said Dennison.
He picked the dripping thing from
the floor and presented it formally, but
as Nancy took it his hand fell suddenly
on hers.
Nancy" said Jerry, with his dark
eyes fastened on her face, people who
have everything they wish, people who
are thoroughly satisfied, rarely look for
anything unusual to occupy their
minds 1t is the people who are I'M
happy, who have something to forget,
who do that. Answer me-are you
quite happy, Nancy?"
Il want to go home! oh, l want to go
home" she sobbed.
Jerry Dennison, being unfortunately
a young man of impulse, waited no
longer, but took her-wet umbrella,
dripping macintosh and all-in his
arms Perhaps a thrill of thanksgiving
that he had stayed to settle few mat
tiers in the deserted office pervaded him;
/ put ms voice was very earnest, anu lnele
was the old. tender ring in it again.
Nancy" he said, Il thought you
didn't care. I've been a dolt and an
IDIOT, and I've had three months of tor
ture to realize it in. You can dance
with whom you please, and as many
times as you please, only dance last
and longest with me; and you shall
60 home this minute if you like-only,
viii you let me go with you, Nancy"
Eyes, yes! Oh, Jerry, you know l
will" sobbed Nancy.
Fob met them in the hall as the big
clock in the corner that had belonged
to his honor the governor was strik-
ing six. The mockery that rested on his
lips for Nancy changed suddenly to a
beaming smile of welcome as he saw
her companion.
"You?" he said. "By Jove, Jerry, I'm
glad to see you!"
Nancy flushed as his eyes met hers
and laughed.
Pm going to take off these dripping
things" she said. III be down in a
minute"
She paused at the nursery door. She
| onuId hear, the hmm of masculine voices