The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-22

him to reconsider such q ,determipstlea
and to remain where he was.
| II love you bstter than my life. Johs
ssat An iss ii Want VOW saa 70 %, marr,
me now and 60 with me to Europe"
Philip could almost hear his own heart
beating as he waited for Miss Austln's
reply.
1t came at last.
"And you asked me to come here In or.
der to tell me this, Mr.. Barclay" she
said. I'm very soYy for you. I'm sure
respect you, but l don't love you and
cannot think Of marrying you. 1t Is hard
to love and not be loved 10 return. ]
know 1t, for have suffered It,"
A silence followed. Then Barclay said,
"You must love some other man."
II do" replied Kate.
"Tell me-" said Barclay. us it's it
Philip you loveW
| you have no right to ask. and l have
no right to tell you" answered the girl,
resolutely.
"Well," said Barclay, "it's the old, old
story Of unrequited love. suppose l
must bear my burden as best can, and
assure you shall do it like gentleman,
Miss Austin. you have my respect and
admiration, and you must not let this
natter interfere with our business rela-
tions. Be assured no further allusion shall
| be made to the natter"
Philip heavcd asigh as heheard them 60
out and close the outside door after them
| Cummings saw Barclay off on the steamet
next day and noticed that he was as
| philosophical and cynical as ever-no
MORE no less. Then he went back to the
Office and wrote letter and addressed it
to Miss Catherine Austin and posted it
at SO late an hour that 1t could not be
delivered before the following day.
While Philip was opening the mail the
next morning Miss Austin came and stood
at his elbow. She had an opened letter in
her hand, and she was pale and much az
itated.
'Mr. Cummings" she began, in voice
calm and exceedingly low, 81 cannot I'M
derstand this letter. You say my services
will not be required after II o'clock to-
day. May l not beg for an explanation.
Although you say your decision to dis
pense with my services IL final and ire
vocable, and l do not wish to appeal
from it. still think that as have
sense of having performed my duties
faithfully and satisfactorily l have
right to an explanation"
Philips face was study for mo-
ment.
"You certainly have right to an ex-
PLANTATION, but l have no right to explain
my action until after IL o'clock. If you'll
allow me, shall be most happy to do
so then"
Miss Austin said nothing, but returned
to her desk and busted herself with her
duties.
The clock was on the last stroke of II
when Philip arose and went over to
where Miss Austin was sitting.
"You are now no longer in the employ
of this firm. Miss Austin he said, land
have right to spenk. l want you to be
my wife. love you'll loved you before
l saw you. l even loved your photo
graph"
Miss Austin was weeping hot tears Of
sorrow now. Philip put his arm about
her and drew her to him. She looked up
into his eyes.
81 have my answer" he said and kiss
ed her. Catherine was silent for mo-
ment, then she said:
"You spoke Of my photograph. Where
and when did you sec it?"
"Why, it came with your letter of ap-
plication for position with this house.
II it had not, l don't think | should have
sent for you, and il my partner had seen
1t he certainly would not have permitted
m IN In III oil ofp nf
handsome women"
Catherine understood 1t all after mo-
ment's reflection.
"And why did you wait until you had
dismissed me before you asked me to
marry your" she asked.
Philip was about to tell of the compact
between his partner and himself, and
then he remembered Barclays violation
Of 1t and generously forbore
"Why?' urged Catherine, noticing his
confusion.
well, you see, didn't want any one
to say l had proposed to an employee of
the house." was the lame excuse he
made.
That evening Philip told his sister of
his engagement to the beautiful type
writer and expected storm, but she
only said: "1ts Just as wanted It to be.
Kate Austin was my chum at Vassar.
Her parents died, having lost all their
money, and as l loved her I wanted her
in the family. 1t was who got her to
write to your house for place. 1t was I
who directed the letter to you, and It was
who put the picture in the letter with.
out her knowledge, knowing, you dear,
old, susceptible fellow, that you could not
resist it. knew that had only to start
the ball rolling and the end would be
happy"
But, you dear thing, how did you
know she would not fall in love with nv
partner, and then you would not have
her in the family after all?'
You just trust girl for that" an
,wered Julia. II had my number Of
FOUR pictures at college. and told her all
sorts of stories about you. Why. had
her in love with you long before she left
College. Buffalo News,