The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-06-20
the handsome young DO

planned, that deafness is more preva-
dent among Office boys than among
any other class of wage earners."
Jimmy"
Frank Hepburn called more sharp
Nv this time, and Jimmy relinquished
ibis favorite occupation of drawing
cats with red ink on the firms note
heads, and slowly approached Mr.. Hep
burns stool.
@%Take this letter TO the post office
and drop it into the box marked City
and be quick, please"
Jimmy took the letter, placed it
carefully between his teeth while he
put on his hat and coat; he then sur
veyed the envelope closely, and asked;
@'What is that mark in the corner
for, Mr.. Hepburn"
''CIear out, you rascal" laughed the
young man, slightly coloring. It's a
secret society sign. Now go!"
As the boy passed from the office,
Weaver, the cashier, looked up and
yawned: "Well, it's my lunch time
and a minute later he was hurrying
after the leisurely Jimmy.
I'm going past the post Office, JIM
he remarked, as he overlook that
youth; give me Hepburn's letter and
HI drop it in for you"
Jimmy, glad of an opportunity to
engage in an interesting game OF
marbles he saw being played round
the corner, willingly gave up the let
ter, and Weaver passed down the
street
~Ah, that's the way the wind blows.
is it?" he thought, CHANGING at the adj
dress. "'Nfiss Bertha Wiley. 219 Mad
ison Avenue l thought that that en-
gagement was entirely broken off.
This doesn't look like it; but L mean
to know for certain
Weaver had long been Hepburn S
most persistent rival. The lady in the
case was prize well worth any mans
earnest efforts to win, and when
Frank Hepburn's engagement to her
was announced, none of her admirers
felt half the chagrin that seized Weav-
er- He had felt almost certain of win
ming her himself at one time, and, in
the expectation of handling her snug
fortune, had incurred ceStain debts
which, according to the rude fashion
OF debts, were now staring him in the
face" Great, then, had been his sa it's
faction when a report reached him of
the broken engagement, and he i'm
mediately called on Miss Wiley. She
received him cordially, and in the two
succeeding weeks he frequently re-
peated the call.
81 will strike while the iron is hot -
he said to himself, and, on this very
evening, had determined to know his
fate, when the sight of Hepburn's let
ter upset his plans.
Il will know what is in it." he
Thought, desperately. 81 can open it
its very carelessly sealed. Hepburn
shall not come between us again if
can help it,"
He hurried home, and holding the
envelope over steaming kettle in his
mothers kitchen, soon had its coveted
contents in his hand. 1t ran thus:
Bertha, Dear: l was wrong and you
we're iiSHt Gan 1 come ana be forgiven?
l have fine business offer from house in
st Paul; If l do not get a favorable reply
from you tomorrow l shall accept it, and
go Immediately. Life without you is unen-
durable here. FRANK"
lou will get no answer to-mor-
row, Weaver muttered; land once
safe in the west my coast is clear.
What an idiot to intrust all his happi-
lnft
terribly proud; he thought it would
hurt his dignity less to write a note
than seek an interview"
On the day after Weaver obtained
tbis letter, he watched Hepburn mar
r0wly, and saw he was restless and
nervous, and by night that he was
pale and wcaH. The next day he did
not appear at the office, and word
came that he was sick.
Packing up for st. Paul" Weaver
sneered to himself. Its just an ex-
.cuse'
But Frank Hepburn's was no as
stunned illness. "A bad case of brain
fever" the doctor said, as he gazed
with more than professional interest
on the young man lying before him.
H's brown eyes were wide open, and
restlessly flying from one face to an
other, as if in search of one that
never came, while his parched tongue
constantly formed the word Bertha u
gently and pleadingly spoken as long
as his strength permitted him to ut
ter it, Then, as he became weaker
only half inarticulate murmur
greeted the ears of tho anxious
watchers who bent above him.
'-Who is Bertha?" the physician at
last asked the weeping, gray-haired
mother, who had come from a distant
city to care for her only son. 1--WE
must find her. | have done all | can
for his body, but only her coming can
relieve his mind. And" he added
softly, ''she must come soon"
At the Office things went on as usu-
al Weaver noticed Franks desk re-
manned vacant, but he said to himself
when the clerks spoke of his illness:
-Men don't die of broken hearts
and be will recover, cured of his
fancy"
He could not, however, bring him
self TO destroy the stolen letter, but
when alone, constantly took it from
his pocket and glanced at it.