Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-06-19

hia work as II it was his own And
how he stroye Two, three and four
weeks passed and the Insurance had
been settled, a warehouse hastily
erected, new goods bought and plans
for a 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 a man
as Tom Burrows lived. In the office a
new bookkeeper sat diligently faith
oming the mysteries Of the hles Of
statements and sheets Of figures. and
when Tom came in after his days
work and examined the efforts of
his junior, and oftentimes with
studied severity corrected this or dis
entangled that, Jean Jameson
blushed and held her face closer to
the books. Thus they spent night
after night.
Then a letter came to Tom from
home, and it contained news Of much
import 10 him His father, by some
lucky disposal Of property. had tided
over the depression and was again in
financial position to assist his son,
and even dictated what that son
should at once do. All day he mood
ily 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 a woman's per-
eeption she read trouble In his gaze
and her cheeks blanched to a whittier
hue. The deep traces of the unaccus-
toned worry and toll were painfully
apparent.
Miss JEAN" he began, looking
away into space, 81 have news from
home to-day, 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 va
cate this hovel and enjoy a we'll
earned vacation"
Burrows could not repress a feeling
of humiliation almost akin to shame,
as he repeated this last sentence, and
also discerned tear slowly gather
ing in those sauey blue eyes out OF
which the Are had well-nigh burnt
itself.
Perhaps we can get along without
you, Tom-or Mr.. Burrows / should
say" she repeated absently Then
with a sudden return of her old spir-
it, she stamped her pretty foot. III
were only man-iust for one year;
but l 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 il
a fatherly way he stroked it sooth
ingly.
A few minutes of silence passed
and then she was herself again, anC
as she regained her composure hei
angry eyes shot dangerous glances
you may go away if you like, and W,
can live without you. We did so be
fore you came and we win do Sc
again as long as can see TO write.
A smile crept into Toms face a
the defiance and he almost whis
pered, do you want me to stay
Jean?"
"No, you horrid beast of a man, 1
thousand times no." The words wer,
strongly put, but the face belied tn,
meaning, and Tom caught her in hi
strong arms and there after a mo
mentary struggle, she allowed hersel
to stay, while he asked her to re
peat that again II she dared.
"Then yOu1l stay, Tom?" she aske'
in well-feigned surprise.
"Yes," he answered, and she kisse,
him then and there and that settle,
che bargain.
And so Tom Burrows had founi
himself.-Canadian Magazine.