The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-03-10

had received In nearly two years II
came with no other address than the
general postotiice. She called there for
letters occasionally during the first two
weeks because there were n few friends
whom she had informed of her inten-
tion before leaving her aunt's home in
Ohio and when she knew not where
she would fad Il roof to shelter her in
the great city.
81 learned by telegraph from your
aunt that you were in New York"
wrote Mr.. Fiske, ''and | send this in the
hope that it may find you. l shall be in
that city from the 21st to the 18th of
this month, and must see you. On the
latter date sail for Europe"
Then followed a timid reference to
the old Jest. from which the writer has
tened on to tell of recent successes. He
had been very fortunate in some min
ing property and had become associated
with men of such Importance that he
spoke of them by their last names only,
as IL they had been Shakespeare and
everybody was bound 10 have heard of
them.
The really essential fact about the
letter was that Carol received it on the
oath of the month about l o'clock in the
afternoon. and Stephen Fiske would sail
next day. Having read the letter in the
postoffice. Carol returned to Harburg &
Wrenn's in a state of high excitement.
Mr. Flske had mentioned the hotel
where he would stay, and Carol called
it up by telephone. Ii appeared that
the gentleman. WAS q guest there, but
was not i'm. Carol gave her name and
address, with some very earnest admo-
| nitions. and every time that the office
| telephone rang during the afternoon
she had great difficulty In restraining
herself from rushing TO the little booth
where it was kept.
| She read Mr. Fiske's letter several
times. to the detriment of her work. and
once Mr.. Harburg caught her staring,
entranced, at the envelope, which bore
the name of n mining company printed
in bold red. She whipped the letter out
of sight. but not In time TO escape the
keen eye OF the lawyer, and she felt her
face burn when he looked at her. 1t
was q peculiar look that he gave her.
The man seemed to be startled. He held
an open letter I'm his hand at the time.
and she had supposed that he came to
dictate a reply to Il. but he returned to
his private room without having said
a word
The days work closed at ) o'clock.
but Carol waited in the hope that Fiske
might come. By quarter past 3 she
was alone In the offices. The day was
fading I'm dull sky without. The room
where she sat was already quite dark.
She leaned back in a swinging chair
and rested her head against the wall.
falling Into Q waking dream.
It must have been near to @ when she
heard Mr.. Harburg enter the outer Of
fee hurriedly and accompanied by sew
Ieral men. Their voices came to her quite
lplainly when they had entered Mr..
Harburg's room, which was upon the
other side of the partition against which
she leaned. The voices droned on for
ten or fifteen minutes, and then sud
denly Afr. Harburg came out into the
room where Carol sat.
"You herey" he cried roughly. What
are you doingt"
Then, with n complete change Of tone
Il beg your pardon. | was startled
I'm O very nervous man. You won't
mind my rudeness. There's no telling
what I'll do when anything scares
me-"
81 was waiting for some one" said
Carol, but it's too late now. I'll g
homen
Don't go till you're ready" respond
ed Harburg cheerfully. "Always glat
to have you in the shop. Wrenn and
agreed the first day you were with u
that you were not only the handsomes
girl we'd ever seen, but the cleveres
too. Yet we never did you justice. W.
will, though"
"You are very kind" replied Carol ii
q tone OF frozen rage.
She put on her wraps hastily and lef
, the Office, going at once to the hote
, where Fiske lodged. He had not re