The Van Buren press., 1897-12-18

| chance IN nunufeu thdt tney Waho d
woman to do something else besides
scrub"
A huge building loomed up before her
through the mist, and the number 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 G. 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
feel" she thought, grimly, they'll take
me in and give me a situation out of
pure charity. believe, if Martha could
see me now, she would expire cheer
fully"
The gloomy, winter afternoon was
drawing near an end, and the figures on
the doors seemed monogram of
tangles.
well, this looks like 246," said Nancy,
"and l can inquire here anyway"
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.
a.Is this Robbins d Smith," asked
Nancy, timidly.
The man turned suddenly at the
sound of her voice, and made hasty
step towards her.
Nancy! Nancy! Great HeavensI
You?' said Jerry Dennison.
The room seemed to whirl about
Naney's head like the merry -go-round,
and her wet umbrella dropped to the
floor. If ever confusion and amaze
ment reigned in a damsels heart, it
did in hers. Oh to be able to fly, to
sink through the floor, to disappear in
any fashion out of sight of that puzzled,
uncertain facei
Nancy said he, what does this
mean? Is there anything the matter?
Anything 1 can do?'
Nancy lifted her head, touch of her
| auudclly cdHe Ddch'
"Yes, you ean," she said. Since
have stumbled in upon you in this a b.
surd way, perhaps you will be kind
enough to direct me to Robbins d
Smiths Office"
at is two doors beyond, believe"
said Dennison, slowly. I'VE have only
been here since Monday ourselves. 1t
is Saturday afternoon, you know, and L
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. mo,
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
home2 Bob-MarthaY
No." said Nancy. Its just because
| wanted to--just-just for 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 un-
happy, who have something to forget,
who do that. Answer me-are you
quite happy, Nancy?'
Poor Nancy! The defiant words she
tried to force upon her lips refused to
: be uttered. She was wet, so tired, so
miserable. A great lump seemed to
form in her throat. Suddenly she
snatched away her hands and hid her
face in them.
Il want to go home! oh, 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
ters in the deserted office pervaded HIM;
but his voice was very earnest, and there
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,
will you let me go with you, Nancy"
"Yes, yes! Oh, Jerry, you know l
WILL" sobbed Nancy.
Bob 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 Joye, Jerry, I'm
glad to see you!"
Nancy flushed as his eyes met hers
and laughed.
I'm going to take off these dripping
things" she said. I'm be down in a
minute"
She paused at the nursery door, She
could hear the hum of masculine voices
downstairs, and the clinking of glasses.