The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-01-03

upon the desk.
81 should have consulted you in any
event" she murmured.
And | should have been prepared
when you came" he said. Perhaps.
he added. with a faint smile, you hav,
come on that very errand today"
IL am not quite sure" said Eleanor
softly.
The managers cheeks paled slightly IA
he looked at the girl. Then he spoke
hurriedly.
perhaps you came to ask an account
of my stewardship he said in ton,
that was half banter. half serious
when | looked up at the sound of youl
voice, might have fancied you were
about to say: The keys and the books
What have you made of the talents III
trusted to you?"
The girl looked up quickly.
'"rhis isn't nice Of you, John" she
said. You know that no such idea en-
tered my head.
But he persisted.
by a strange coincidence | had just
filled out a little summary of the condi
ton of the business. 1t is just six years
ago that your father placed this RESPONSE
bility ON my shoulders. | want you to
know that | have not shirked it," He
arose and bent over her and picked a
paper from the desk. There are the
totals then. and here they are now" and
he placed the slip in her hands.
ut seems like a lack of confidence in
you to even look at them" said the girl
as she glanced down at the figures. She
gave a little gasp. why" she cried.
''you have doubled it,"
81 have been very fortunate" he said
You have worked like Il slave" cried
the girl And for WHAT"
For love of-the work perhaps" he
answered Besides. am not carrying
out the trust placed in me by your ia
Their? Do | not owe everything to him:
He took me up when was a poor.
friendless boy; he advanced me. step by
step, and when he died he showed his
confidence 10y making me sole trustee of
his property and your guardian. | am
trying to justify that confidence"
The girl looked up at him and her
eyes grew moist.
Il am sure father would approve of ali
you have done" she softly said II know
that his daughter does" and she held OUT
her hand He took it tendcrly and held
it Il moment John" she added. 81
don't suppose could marry withou,
your eonsentT
He gave Il little start.
"Yes." he said gravely. you could"
''No. I'm quite sure couldn't" and
she laughed softly.
II am glad you rerose such confidence
in me-" he said MAY | ask who the
fortunate man is?"
His voice was true and steady. He
certainly had remarkable control over
himself
She gently laughed.
Il can't tell you yet" she said lyon
see. he doesn't know"
81 do not understand" said the man
ager,
81 am not surprised at that" murmur
ed Eleanor
There was a little silence.
John" she said, "are you getting care.
less with advancing years." He looked
at her wonderingly. Gould it be possible
that quite by mistake a letter could slip
into a packet addressed to me? A per
sonal letter. unfinished and unsigned"
The hot blood surged to his cheeks.
what do you mean" he asked.
She opened her purse and drew forth n
folded letter. opening it as she passed ii
to him. His face paed and his hand
trembled as he read the few lines. 1T is
declaration of love. is it not, John?'
ut is a declaration Of folly" he muir.
INJURED But you know never meant
you to see it,"
But you meant 1t when you wrote il.
John?"
''God knows meant it." He looked
up ut her with sudden fire in his eyes.
81 will tell you the truth. Eleanor, and
perhaps you will pity me- 1t seems to
me have always loved you. But | kept
it well concealed till now. Your father
never dreamed it. am sure you never
did. 1t is for you that have toiled. You
haSe inspired my every effort. Hopeless.
yes, but the toll was sweet | never for
get the gulf between us-a gulf both of
years and social poSition-the gulf be.
tween the petted heircss and her fathers
hired man. AT times | may have fanciecl
love could span the chasm One of these
fits of folly came upon me two months
ago. | went to Paris to tell you my
love. and then my courage failed me-
came home and began that letter A
wiser impulse seized mo. and | tossed il
aside. What unfortunate chance placed
it in your hands ! cannot imagine That
Is all"
He tore the sheet of paper to minute
fragments and flung them into the waste
basket. There was a little silence He
did not look at her
John" she said very softly, lit is a
shame about old Pope Gregory. isn't il?
You know what he did When he fixed
over the calendar, he cut US out of a leap
year. think, John, that am quite
justified in refusing to accept his correc
ton and in assuming that the old Julian
system is still in force"
He looked up at her wonderingly.
Her eyes dropped.
"You know told you, John" she went
on still more softly, that | would have
to ask your consent as guardian when |
wanted to marry 1t is true Because
John. if this year of 1900 were leap
year ! should feel quite justifed-quite
justified, John-in asking your consent as
guardian toto my marrying-oh. can't
you see dear John, that THAT will be
your wife,"
And She stretched out both hands to
him.-Cleveand Plain Dealer.
On the Free List.
Some years ago there was a tollgate