The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-08-31

SlVsIfESSN the top OF his led-
3kz,h ger. She was lean
f1 ing rather detected
~ over some work she had just fin
ished on her typewriter, with her head
on her hand and her eyes gazing wist-
fully.
The regular scratch, scratch Of the
shipping clerks pen wa, tho only
sound in tho Office, and presently
Miss Dolly's eyes wandered in that
direction and fingered on the curly
head bending over the desk in the
corner. They fingered there long
while, then she roused herself with a
little sigh and began to fold her let
tiers.
The bookkcepcr nodded to himself
"There is something wrong with
Miss Dolly. She hasn't been like
herself for long time. She used to
sing and rattle sway 80 cbecrily, aud
now she signs and looks wistful and is
too quiet. have watched her. And
/ know what it Is. She il in love
with tho shipping clerk. was q
young fellow myself once"
y,
but care and hard work had brought
little gray into his hair, and his
youth seemed very far away.
Presently he opened the door Of his
cage.
Miss Dolly, you may as well &c
now. You don't look well, and Mr.
Spcrry will not be back this even ing. >
ooh, thank YOU" she said, and
closed up her typewriter and put Oh
her hat.
When sho had gone the bookkeepcl
sat for long timo thinking hard. He
was moditating IL plau of attack, fol-
Miss Dolly was too nice q girl t.
waste her affections on tic shipping
clerk. The bookkceper had fallei
into the habit of walking homo will
her in the evening, their roads lying
together, and 10 knew what q sweet
lovable, womanly nature she had
The shipping clerk must be made t,
realize it. lie must Lave his eye
opened.
In his corner that young gentleman
scratched away, b!issfully unconsciou
OF the schemes darkening over hi
blonde head. He looked mp whe,
the bookkeeper came over and so
down by his desk.
II think Miss Dolly is a very swee
girl, don't you, Wells?" said tn
bookkeeper.
eyes, she is rather nice it'll
girl" answered the shipping clorls,
little surprised. The bookkeepe
seldom had anything to say. But Ii
went on.
''She is moro than rather nice
She has q lovely disposition and i
very pretty. too. I have been walk
ing home with her at nights and
have had good opportunity to judge
think she is girl iii thousand.
Failing in love with her?" aske
the shipping clerk.
"Oh, no, no. Nothing like tho
for me. She didn't look well thi
afternoon, and was thinking of hel
that's ALL"
The shipping clerk had his su.
picions, however, and Miss Dolly q,
Quired new interest for him. Fl
talked to her whenever lie could g.
a chance aud found her rather dign
fed and reserved, which only MAJ
him more eager to draw her ont. IL
bookkeeper helped matters along O
he could. He left them alone t,
gether whenever IN opportunity a
forded, he dropped little judicio,
words and he gave up his evenir
walks with Miss Dolly, being aiwa.
too busy to leave when she did,
that it soon happened that she al
the shipping clerk began to wa
home together. That young man h:
come to tho conclusion that he W
mistaken in supposing the bookkeep
60 be in love with Miss Dolly. II
bookkecper came in suddenly o.
day and found Miss Dolly cryin
with her pretty head dropped on h
arms outstretched on the typewrit
table.
He was much distressed aud Ia
his hand gently on her shoulder,
she only shivered under his tou
and would not look up, so he we
away and communicated with t
shipping clerk. That gentleman e
dcutIy knew what to do, for al
waiting O suitable length OF time I
bookkeeper followed him into I
Office and found him sitting on I
table and Miss Dolly laughing q
talking gayly, with flushed chez
and starry eyes.
After that Miss Dolly was no lon:
dignifed with the shipping Gle
She smiled at him bevitchingly q
gave him shy, coqustiish glances q
let him button her gloves.
thought her charming aud matt
were going along swimmiugly,
somehow the bookkeeper did not I
80 elated over his success as mi
have been expected.
There was a curious ache at
heart, and he began to feel most
reasonable dislike toward the shipp
clerk. What an impudeat young
low he was; he positively forced
attentions upon Miss Dolly Was
the man for her? The bookkeeper
meant it for her good, but had lie d
the wisest thing? lie never co
manage to walk home with her at
now and he missed the little con iiden
she had beeu wont to give him.
hardly ever spoke to him nowads