The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-12-20
Iou must love some other man."

Il do" replied Kate.
'Tell me- said Barclay. as it's it
Philip you love?"
You have no right to ask. and have
no right to tell you" answered the girl,
resolutely.
well" said Barclay. its the old, old
story of unrequited love. suppose |
must bear my burden rs best | can. and
assure you | shall do it like a gentleman.
Miss Austin, you have my respect and
admiration, and you must not let this
matter interfere with orr business rela-
tionS, Be assured no further allusion shall
be made to the natter
Philip heaved sigh rs he heard them go
out and close the outside door after them.
Cummings saw Barclayoff 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 a 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 az
itatcd.
Mr. Cummings $" she began, in a voice
calm and exceedingly low. Il cannot un-
dcrstand this letter. You say my services
Will not he required after - o'clock to-
day. May | not beg for an explanation.
Although you say your decision to dis
pense with my services is final and ire
yocable, and | do not wish to appeal
from it, still | think that as | have a
sense Of having performed my duties
faithfully and satisfactorily l have Il
right to an explanation"
Philips face vas a study for mo-
ment.
'4ou rainly have a right to an ex-
PLANTATION, hut | have no right to explain
my action until after II O'Clock If you'll
allow me, | shall be most happy to do
SO then"
Miss Austin said nothing. but returned
to her desk and busted herself with her
duties.
The clock was on the last stroke of II
when Philip arose and went over to
whore Miss Austin was sitting.
You are now no longer in the employ
of this firm, Miss Austin be said. and
| have right to speak. | want you to be
my wife. | love you-l loved you before
| saw you. | 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.
Il have my answer" he said and kiss
ed her. Catherine was silent for mo-
ment, then size 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 | 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 a mo-
ment's reflection.
And why lid you wait until you had
dismissed me before you asked me to
marry YOU" She asked
Philip was about to tell of the compact
between his partner and himself. and
then he remembered Barclays violation
of it and generously forbore
"Nhy?' 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 he
made
That evening Philip told his sister of
his engagement to the beautiful type
writer and expected a storm. but She
only said: Its just as l wanted it to be-
Kate Austin was my chum ut Vassar
Her parents died, having lost all their
money, and as loved her wanted her
in the family. 1t was | who got her to
write to your house for place 1t was |
who directed the letter to you. and it was
| who put the picture in the letter with
out her knowledge, knowing. you dear
old. susceptible fellow, that you could not
resist it. knew that had only to start
the ball rolling and the end would be
happy"
But you dear thing, how did YOU
know she would not fall in love with NV
partner and then you would not have
her in the family after all?"
You just trust girl for that" an
swered Julia. Il had any number of
your pictures at college, and told her all
sorts Of stories about you. Why. | had
her in love with you long before she left
college. Buffalo News.