The St. Johns herald., 1900-05-12

After that Miss Dolly was no longer dignified with the shipping clerk. She smiled a, him bewitchingly and gave him shy. coquettish gIances and let ' him button her gloves. He thought her charming and matters were going along swimmingly, but somehow the bookkecper did not feel so elated over his success as might have been ex- pected.
 There was curious ache al his heart. and he began to feel a most unreason- ] able dislike toward the shippi, clerk ! What an impudent young fellow he vas: he positively forced his attentions upon Miss Dolly! Was he the man for her? The bOokkeeper had meant it for her good, but had he done the wisest thing? He never could man. age to walk home with her at all HOW and he missed the little condolences she had been won't to give him. She hardly ever spoke to him nowadays, she even appeared to avoid him and he turned 10 his work with a sigh.
 One evening be watched them going away together and he noticed what a handsome, clean-iimbed young fellow the shipping clerk was and how dainti- ly Miss Dolly lifted her skirts, and wha: handsome couple they made. and he turned away to the little mirror and scrutinized with earnest eyes the face that greeted him there. He noted bit. terly the gray sprinkled in the dark hair and the wrinkles about the eyes and :he grave mouth.
 "What fool 1 have been!" he cried. passionateIy. An. poor, clumsy, great hearted spider, caught in the web he had so carefully woven for the un- suspecting fly.
 But now that he had begun this work he would not go back. no, not if ii brought thc keenest torture into his life. He had deliberately brought it upon himself and must bear the conse- quenees. And if Miss Dolly loved the shipping clerk, why, she must have him-her happiness came first of all. So he crushed his heart stern!y and bore the anguish as silently as he could.
 But it was hard. hard work. as the days went by. Miss Dolly had grown gay again, sometimes it seemed almost a feverish gayety. she was so bright and restless. The bookkeeper caught himself watching her and was aston ished to remember how long he had unconsciously been doing so.
 Once he came upon them standing close together and the shipping clerk was bending over her slim, gloved hand. fastening most refractory button and looking up at her with ardent eyes. Miss Dolly started. and then dropped her eyes, flushing rosily. And the bookiteeper cliuched his hands. mighty impulse came over him to fling the shipping clerk through the open door, and he took one quick step. Then he controlled himself by an effort and went on 10 his desk.
 After that he hardly dared look at Miss Dolly and seldom trusted himself to speak. His only safety lay in work, so be toiled away from morning till evening with the tircless energy of s machine.
 Then one day came the news Of the shipping clerks promotion, a good po- sition. snug salary. The bookkeeper knew what that meant. He wondered duly how long it would be before the shipping clerk took her away. Oh. what would the office be like without her! However. she would be happy; he was so glad she would be happy.
 He stood beside her at the window us she was getting ready to leave, aud thought what a lucky fellow the ship ping clerk was. AT things had come to him.
 That promotion is fine thing for Wells" he said. "I nm so glad it came.
 "Yes. nm. too." Miss Dolly an swered. pausing 10 watch the sunset. She looked subdued md thoughtful in its red glow.
 He deserves it." the bookkeeper said, gently. And l nm so glad for your sake."
 Miss Dolly turned on him.
 And why are you glad for my sake?"
 "Well, because, of course, it must mean so much to you"
 Miss Dolly flung out her hand i'm patiently.
 And why should it mean so much for me?" she demanded.
 The bookkeeper foundered stupidly. He did not understand these bewilder- ing woman's moods.
 'I thought, you know, you acted as if, 1t seemed like you cared. l-l thought you were in love with him."
 "You seemed determined that II should bel" flashed Miss Dolly. Then l she said, softly: ''l was in love-but not | with him."
 Her eyes were fixed dreamily on the | purple clouds in the west. but there | was something in her face that made | the bookkeeper take sudden stride | toward her and cry out, tiercely: Dolly! l have a right to know! | Who was it that you were in love with?"
 Then Dolly dropped her coquetries and lifted her clear eyes to his face and held out her hands. Tt was you" she said, simply.
 And the bookkeeper-well,n no matter what he did.-N. '. News.