The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-04-07

I 4Vb VI uehSeTy uAutu IN SAe cOutEACtt
Jack admired the frank and concise
way in which she stated the case. He
knew it would put him to some inconven.
ience to oblige her, but he did not hesi-
tate.
II wouldn't do this for Mingewood," /"
hc laughed, "but I'll do it for you."
The girl laughed too.
"Im sure you would like Fl. ]. better"
she said, iii you were better acquainted.
Anyway, mean to prove to you that the
Minglewood concern Is not ungrateful." )"
And she thanked him again and gave him
her hand, which was another slight busi-
ness irregularity that Jack readily over
looked.
he turned back from the doorway.
"You--you haven't any desire to break
on your engagement-your business ell
gagement--with Minglewood, have YOU"
he hesitatingly inquired.
"Wby do you ask?"
| ."Well," said honest Jack, II thought
| perhaps l could secure your services.
I'm sure We could agree about the pay"
The young woman shook her head.
ut wouldn't be quite fair to Miugle.
wood" she murmured.
SAhepH II WOuiuA sHfu uOueSt
Jack. Then he added: "Could l persuade
You to take luncheon with me?
II don't think you could" said the
young woman, with a smile.
And Jack. as he stepped across into his
Office to frame telegram to his agent,
was rather glad that she refused his in
vitation.
lie was out of town for several days,
and the morning he returned the type
writer girl called to him as he entered his
Office. 1t appeared that Miss Harriet
wanted to see him. Jacks blood tingled,
He had wanted to see her every blessed
day of his absence.
she let him shake her hand when he
came into the trim little Office, and Jack
was quite sure there never was such
delightfully."- quaint and altogether pleas
ing personality as she presented at her
dainty desk.
Il told you the other day." she said,
and her eyes fell little before his rant
look Of admiration, that Minglewood
would not prove ungrateful for the favor
you rendered the concern"
"Pooh pooh," said Jack with uncom-
mon boldness, "what has Minglewood to
do with it? You. know did it to oblige
you."
She blushed little at this and then
hurriedly went on to explain. Mingle-
wood had secured heavy contract for
telegraph poles from the c., L. and St.
j., and it was little more than they
could handle in hurry. How would
Jack like to help them out with half the
order? And she mentioned the price.
Jacks eyes opened. He drew out his
notebook and pencil.
do you know that you are giving me
$1,320?" he asked.
NO. she answered. "That's decid-
edly unbusinesslike way of looking at it,"
And does Minglewood know about this
arrangement?' cried Jack.
Eyes"
"And-and really and truly approves Of
it?"
Il told you Minglewood was peculiar"
When Jack left the office, he had made
up his mind to one thing. He was too
much in love with this brown eyed young
woman to take any further chances by |
delaying proposal He had known her
just six weeks and really knew no more
about her than he did the first day he |!
met her. But what Of that? Anybody |
could see at glance that she was all
that was good and sweet and true.
When he stepped into the Minglewood
inner office that afternoon, he softly clos
ed the door behind him. The brown eyed
young woman looked up from her writing
with smile, but did not appear astonish-
ed at his unexpected call.
Jack hurriedly plunged into his busi-
ness.
Il made you a proposition the other
day, Miss Harriet" he said with an ef-
fort, "and have now come toto make
you another. OF course you know little !
or nothing about me-"
Il know great deal about you," said
the brown eyed young woman softly, but
he did not heed her.
"And-and I'm afraid you will think
me very bold. Is there-pardon the ques-
tion-is there any possibility that you
could be persuaded to leave the service
Of this concern" He knew this was q
lame finish to his opening sentence, but
somehow his courage failed him.
The young woman looked up at him.
"Yes," she said, "in the event of
certain contingency would at once give
Up my work here"
Her reply struck chill to Jacks heart.
What could that contingency be save her
marriage to Minglewood? Then he sum
noned up all his courage and plunged
u.
Miss Harriet" he said little broken
y. Il asked you to be my business asso-
late. | ask you now to be my wife!"
There was little pause. The brown
yes were steadily regarding the letter on :
he desk. Then they looked up shyly.
You would have to get Minylewood's
onsent." she said.
Again the chill at Jacks heart.
"Has-hns he any prior claim?" he
oarsely asked.
The brown eyes twinkled, the rosy
louth twitched. two hands were sudden
7 thrust toward him and merry voice !
red. "Why. you dear old stupid bear,
ant you understand that l am Mingle- I
'ood?" r
A little later she explained It to him. I
he had succeeded to her brothers busi- i;
ess. He was an invalid for year or ;
lore and she had attended to his affairs
ntil she mastered the details of the
ork. When he died. with the advice Of L
Is patrons. she had continued the b,isi-
ess in her own name, and now she was v
ute sure she could turn Its patronage
YER to a certain John Horton. a very n
upid, but altogether lovable person. q
But there was just one doubt still rank !;
ng in Jacks honest heart.
"What was that contingency you men,
oned?" he asked.
"You," she answered.-Cleveland Plain I
oaIor | =