The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-30

|
why should she be annoyed?
"Am in the way? May accompany
you?" he said in an off-hand sort OF man
ner
ooh, CERTAINLY shall be delighted ? l.
l was only going to buy present for Nell
lie Philpots."
''Ah Then l shall be interested, too.
May venture to inquire what it is?"
Nina's heart pulsatsd degree or two
more rapidly as she advanced to the counter
and addressed shy, pretty girl who
stood there.
Il was looking at a white lace fan here
yesterday. Will you show it to me
again 2"
A bright look of intelligence came over
the girls face. She remembered the young
lady interest Of the day before.
"Oh, yes ma am ~ she said. "White,
pearl sticks and lavender lining. Here
| it is
"Ten dollars l think you said the price
was? %
YES, ma'am-ten dollars"
" will take it. Please pack it very
carefully in the box"
"Shall send it, ma am ~
NO, am in a hurry will take it my
self'
And halfconscious that she was doing
wrong, yet unwilling to deny herself the
luxury, and resolutely persuading herself
that no harm was done, Nina Carol
handed over the counterfeit bill in pay
ment for the glittering and scented trinket
The store girl took it without word
and presently little papered packet ar
rived.
81 am ready now," said Nina tnrning
to Mr. Fortescue, who had stood leaning
against the counter with exemplary
patience, during the whole of the transac-
ton.
Side-bysde they left the store.
do you think she will like it 2" Miss
Carol asked, as soon as they were safe on
the pavement.
81 am sure she will ~ Mr. Fortescue
answered, with enthusiasm. 1t is a gift
worthy of the giver and of the recipient. 3"
Nina smiled and flushed up Praise
from such source as this was very sweet
(Which of the girls was it who took in
this ten-dolar bill? 2"
Mr.. TaXley's little black eyes gittered
| Via dc 9
his double convex spectacles The doubt
full bill quivered in his indignant fingers
like an aspen upon it's stem.
The bookkeeper, fat middle aged
woman, looked around, and said
1T was Miss Charnock, know, because
she tore it little way across, and l hau
occasion to reprove her for it, There was
no sense in her being so careless -
Call Miss Charnock at once, sputtered
the proprietor. "The bill is a counterfeit"
Counterfeit? Oh, Mr.. Taxley that can
not possibly be! took it from an elegant
young lady"
Can you describe herr"
Amy hesitated
She was very pretty, with black eyes
and hair She bought one of these white
lace fans"
''Humph !" said Mr.. Taxley, grimly.
''No doubt all this is satisfactory; but our
rules are invariable and stringent-most
stringent where the receiving of bad bills
is in question. Your services will be re-
quired no longer Miss Charnock and the
ten dollars will be deducted from your
months salary. Sorry of course'-as a
look Of blank dsmay came over Amy's
face-"but it's our rule. Otherwise we
would be losing all the time. Pass on,
please, Miss Fettridge is waiting to speak
to me-"
SO Amy was discharged.
She hurried home through the waning
twilight, her heart feeling heavy as lead in
her BOSOM her cheeks pale as ashes; be-
because with Amy Chardock it was ques-
ton of sheer starvation whether she re-
tanned her situation at Newton & Taxley's
or not And then there was the rheumatic
old mother, and the little brother, who
must be kept at school, and-Oh what
was to become Of them?
As she FASTENED along, too deeply alb
sorbed in these sorrowful reflections to
take any note of the outer world, she
stumbled against some one.
1t was gentleman, and the light of the
street lamp shone plainly on his face as he
lifted his hat and spoke the customary
phrase:
81 beg your pardon ~
But Amy Charnock stopped him.
IL surely am not Mistaken" she
said, falteringly. "You are the gentleman
who was with the lady who bought the
lace fan? Don't you remember me, sir ?
was the store girl. l sold the fan-at
Newton & Taxley's,"
81 do remember now," said Mr.. Fortes-
cue, supremely puzzled "But may ask
81 don't wonder you are puzzled at my
strange address," Amy interrupted, with
little hysterical laugh. "But the bill she
1