Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-12-07
tons. BE assured no further allusion shall
be made to the matter"
hl.l.a

tons. BE assured no further allusion shall
be made to the matter"
Philip heaved sigh as heheard them go
out and close the outside door after them.
Cummings saw Barclay off on the steamer
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 it 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 ag
itated.
"Mr. Cummings" she began, in a voice
calm and exceedingly low, ~ 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 is final and ire
vocable, and l do not wish to appeal
from it, still l think that as l have a
sense of having performed my duties
faithfully and satisfactorily l have a
right to an explanation"
Philips face was a study for a mo-
ment.
"You certainly have a right to an ex-
PLANTATION. but have no right to explain
my action untn after II o'clock. If you'll
allow me, l shall be most happy to do
30 then"
Miss Austin said nothing, but returned
to her desk and busted herself with her
duties.
The clock was on the last stroke of -
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 speak. 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 a mo-
ment, then she said:
you spoke of my photograph. Where
| and when did you see it?"
"Why, it came with your letter of ap-
| plication for position with this house
| If it had not, don't think l should have
| sent for you, and if my partner had seen
it he certainly would not have permitted
me to do SO. He always was afraid OF
| handsome women"
| Catherine understood it all after mo-
| ment's reflection.
"And why did you wait until you had
dismissed me before you asked me tC
marry your she asked.
| Philip was about to tell of the compact
between his partner and himself, anG
/ h. I'll J..
| Of it and generously forbore.
| "Why?" urged Catherine, noticing his
| confusion.
well, you see, didn't want any one
to say had proposed to an employee Of
| the house." was the lame excuse ht
| made
That evening Philip told his sister o,
his engagement to the beautiful type
| writer and expected a storm but sh,
only said: Its just as / wanted it to be
Kate Austin was my chum at Vassar
Her parents died, having lost all thei
money, and as l loved her / wanted he
in the family. 1t was I who got her t.
write to your house for place. 1t was
who directed the letter to you, and it wa
l who put the picture in the letter with
out her knowledge, knowing, you dear
old, susceptible fellow, that you could no
resist it. l knew that / had only to star
the ball rolling and the end would b.
happy"
But, you dear thing, how did 20,
know she would not fall in love with m.
partner. and then you would not hav
her in the family after all?'
You just trust a girl for that" an
swered Julia. II had any number o
your pictures at college, and told her al
sorts of stories about you Why, l hat
her in love with you long before she lef
college. buffalo News.