The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-08-30

one guest UeSlueS nluSclI laQ De6Q DlUu6n,
none other than DIR. Ames, who of late
had been almost constant visitor
Supper had been served. While Jean
and the doctor conversed in low tones at
one end of the long drawing room, Tom
sat at the other with Mr.. Jameson and
exchanged mutual condolences on the bust
ness aspect of the coming season. Yet he
was not wholly Indifferent to the scene be-
fore him. The little lady looked peculiarly
bewitching and altogether disdainful, and
TO his eye she was playing her cards with
the young medical with a tact and grace
which apparently absorbed his entire at
tention. The hour was wearing slowly
along, to Tom especially, and then hur-
ried summons at the door brought Mrs.
Jamison from the regions of the dining
room in answer A sudden noise, as of
people scurrying past, followed, and Tom
realized that the call of fire had been
raised Mrs. Jameson cried out in
frightened voice that it was the mill, and
then Tom had passed her in the hallway,
and was out on the street.
Already the flames, caught by the storm
that howled without, were lighting up the
town like new sun.
The scene of indescribable confusion
which ensued could never be forgotten by
those more intimately concerned. The
crude Gre-hghting apparatus frozen solid,
refused to work, and as the red streamers
wrapt about the mill and swept across the
roofs of the warehouse and stores adjoin-
ing, the people knew that Josiah jamie
son worldly possessions were doomed.
Tom, looming out in the released mettle
of college athlete, made herculean efforts
to stay the ruin. Followed by number
of men he thawed the hose, directed the
streams of water, helped to throw out the
goods from the store, cleared the Office of
its precious books and papers. In fact,
storm or heat mattered little to him then,
for covering female, wrapped in mighty
fur lined cloak, had looked up into his
grimy face through mist of tears and had
said something. He never tarried to hear
what it was, but leapt again into the battle
royal
In the early morning smoldering heap
of ashes and half burnt woodwork alone
marked the spot where Jameson store
and mill had stood, and around it in
jumbled up mass was the merchandise
which had been saved. Only one small
building which had been used as an Office
had missed the fury of the flames, and
that was only through the gigantic efforts
of the men and fortunate veering of the
wind.
Josiah Jameson had been seized with a
paralytic stroke during the destruction of
his property and lay at his home with two
doctors in constant attendance, and to Tom
fell the task of managing this almost mex
tricable condition of affairs. Suddenly
from a quiet Office man he had assumed an
air of general manager and gave his orders
and went about his work as if it was his
own. And how he strove. Two, three
and four weeks pass and the insurance had
been settled, warehouse hastily erected,
new goods bought, and plans for much
more pretentious store of brick considered
and selected. As soon as possible business
had been commenced and everything that
could be done was done, and all this time
Josiah Jameson could not move hand or
foot, but lay in his home and thanked
heaven that such man as Tom Burrows
lived. In the office new bookkeeper sat
diligently fathoming the mysteries of the
files of statements and sheets of figures,
and when Tom came in after his day s
work and examined the efforts of his
Junior and oftentimes with studied severity
corrected this or disentansled that, Jean
Jameson blushed and held her face closer
to the books. Thus they spent night after
night.
Then letter came to Tom from home,
and it contained news of much import to
him. His father, by some lucky disposal
of property, had tided over the depression
and was again in a financial position to
assist his son, and even dictated what that
son should at once do. All day he moedily
pondered over the contents which, strange
to say, had brought no joy to him, but in
the evening he threw his whole mind into
the office work with such fervor that Miss
Jean had to stand idly by in wonder. At
last the task was completed and he turned
about and looked his helper squarely in the
face. With woman's perception she
read trouble in his gaze and her cheeks
blanched to a winter hue. The deep
traces of the unaccustomed worry and toll
were painfully apparent.
'tMiss Jean, he began, looking away
into space, Il have news from home today,
and perhaps it is bad news for somebody,
too You can get johnson from the store
to take my place as he knows the affairs
more clearly than any of the rest, and then
as spring comes on and your father gains
in strength, you can vacate this hoyel and
enjoy well earned vacation.
Burrows could not repress feeling of
humiliation almost akin to shame, as he
repeated this last sentence, and also dis
cerned tear slowly gathering in those
saucy blue eyes out of which the fire had
well-nigh burnt itself.
Perhaps we can get along without you,
Tom-or Mr. Burrows | should say, she
repeated absently Then. with sudden
return of her old spirit, she stamped her
pretty foot. ''If were only man-just
for one year; but | can't master those
horrid books and my head aches and I m
sick, too
A sob had broken in upon her speech
and she laid her golden head upon her arm.
Tom felt as if he would appreciate a
sound kicking. Instinctively he placed
his hand upon her hair and in fatherly
way he stroked it sootLingly.
A few minutes of silence passed and
then she was herself again, and as she re-
gained her composure her angry eyes shot
dangerous glances. 'sYou may go away if
you like, and we can live without you.
We did so before you came and We will do
SO again as long as | can see to write.
A smile crept into Tom face at the de-
iance and he almost whispered, ''Do you
want me to stay, Jean p
s'No, you horrid beast of man, a thou
sand times no. - The words were strongly
put, but the face belied the meaning, and
Tom caught her in his strong arms and
there after momentary struggle, she al
lowed herself to stay, while he asked her