The St. Johns herald., 1901-09-07
A WORKING GIRL
. HE sentiments you have been
 oxnrossinO my dear ROv oh-
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 S served Albert Lestrange witt the patronizing manner justified by hii seven years seniority. would be ex cellent in a novel, or might even be suit able for city clerk, but they are quite inapplicable to us"
 "Why sso3" inquired the younger brother.
 Because rank and wealth have du ties as we'll as privileges, replied Al bert. And foremost among them is that of making suitable matrimonial alliance, and not"
 That's all bosh. Bertiep' interrupted Roy. "A suitable matrimonial alliance Poof the sound of it makes one feel H."
 "You are young, my dear Roy," said his brother, pityingly. Wait until you are my age and you will look differ ently at things"
 "I shall never agree with you on that point, that's certain" answered the younger man, flor it's my opinion and always will be that man who marries woman that he doesn't love ought to be kicked"
 "There is displayed the rashness of youth" remarked Albert, sententiously. "And believe me, my dear Roy"
 What he was about to add will never be known now, for at that moment a loud cry for help was heard from Q meadow on the other side of the hedge that skirted the line down which the brothers were walking.
 Come along, Bertie." cried Roy, there's stile few yards higher up."
 In two minutes the young men had 1 jumped the rails and were on the scene Of action, where 2 couple of tramps were standing on either side of we'll dressed young lady.
 "You take the little one. Roy" ex- claimed Albert, 'I'll tackle the other"
 The taller tramp lifted the stick he was carrying, but before he could use 1t Albert's fist caught him under the chin, and he found himself sitting in the hedge, while a moment later Roy knocked his companion into a bed of nettles close by.
 "How can thank you?" observed the girl, whom the young men now had time to notice was uncommonly pretty. 'I had no idea that tramps were so dan gerous."
 "Pray don't mention it." replied AL bert as he wiped his knuckles, ''it was really nothing"
 Ut was a great deal to me 1 can as- sure you" said the girl with a merry, rippling laugh, flor unfortunately was carrying all my worldly wealth with me-"
 Are you returning to Tormouth?" inouired Albert, without noticing the latter part of her speech. Gan we have the pleasure of seeing you home?"
 'I shall be grateful indeed if you will accompany me as far as the Anchor Hotel" was the reply, and then as they walked across the fields she further explained that she had been ordered down to the little seaside town by her doctor for the recovery of her health; mot that there's much the matter with me. only overwork, you know"
 During the three-mile walk Albert be- rame more and more reticent, while Roy. who at first had been quite over come by the unexpected vision of beau tv gradually thawed out under the in- euence of her smiles until when they parted outside the hotel he had made an appointment for the following morn ing to show her the famous Smuggler's Cave.
 For a few minutes Albert was silent, and then he observed gravely, If yeu take my advice. Roy, you will not see that young person again. do not con- sider that she is a desirable acquaint- ance."
 'Why not?' asked Roy, astonished. "She Is evidently lady"
 'sThat she has been we'll educated l will not deny," answered Albert, "but she works for her living. Roy. Did you not hear her say that she was over worked, and that she carried all her worldly wealth in her pocket|
 "She is a charming girl" retorted Roy. "and I am going to see her to- morrow in spite of you or any other old woman"
 This reply hurt Albert's feelings and caused coolness between the brothers, but Roy kept his word, and every day for three weeks he accompanied Miss Lefroy to one or other of the many natural beauties of the neighborhood.
 At length came the fatal day of her departure, and after seeing her off Roy returned home more depressed than bis brother had ever seen him.
 "So your fair friend has gone away at last" said Albert at dinner time. "Thank heaven that she did not en- tangle you in a matrimonial alliance
 -It wasn't her fault, I can assure you" replied Roy. "She wouldn't have me-"
 You actually proposed to herr"
 'Yes, I did. and she has put me off for month, as she says she does not believe I know my own mind, but I've