The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-08-22

inc you to give up your place, he asked.
Il am ready to leave at any moment,
she quickly remarked.
wait, please, he said. Il wanted
You to leave because meant to offer you
what hoped you would consider better
position"
She looked at him with startled expires
sion.
Il have hesitated, - he went on, "be-
cause l wished you to know me better first.
You have really had no chance to get ac
quainted with me. | am afraid you re-
gard me as a mere money grubber. You
had no reason to suppose there were any
tender qualities in my makeup. And yet
| want You to know that you attracted me
the very day you came into my employ.
That attraction has grown stronger aud
deeper. 1t has been a great pleasure to
know that you were within call, and |
dreaded to speak the words that might part
Us. But this morning | saw my error.
saw that il was better to put the matter
to the test and learn my fate. | say this
to You because | want to excuse my alb
ruptuess. | am not tactful | am only
practical-and | love YOU. Will you be
my wife,
The Girl had been regarding him with
a troubled look. The hand that held the
tablet trembled. Then her gaze was sud
denly averted aud a rosy flush crept across
her pale face,
Your wife, she murmured
Yes, my wife
There was bewilderment in her eyes as
she slowly raised them to his face.
But never dreamed You cared for
me.
II fancy, laughed Andrew, that |
have been reprezsing my natural emotions
TOO long But I'll promise to make
amends In the meantime my question
soes unanswered.
She hesitated. Then she shook her
head, and the tears filed her eyes.
My father would never consent, she
Your father
Yes you do not know him. He-he
has very strange ideas. He-oh, it is
impossible
Wait, dear. Ihaye seen your father.
You have seen my father
She gasped a she said it.
Yes. Indeed he Is not 80 terrible. You
see, | make up my mind to say to him
boldly. .Mr Rawdon, love your daugh
ter VIII YOU give her to me?'
lie raised his voice little at these
words
Did you say that to my father?' She
gasped again.
Il said it to him,
And he-what did he say?
Andrew suddenly smiled
Well, he said quite enough to con
vince me that | had nothing 10 fear in
that quarter There-the only obstacle
has gone Is it yes, Anna
She drooped a little.
1T is yes, she softly answered
lie caught the trembling hand that held
the tablet and pressed it to his lips
You make me very happy mau, he
murmured There, now, 20 back to
your desk aud gather up your belongings
and collect what Is due you from the
cashier You are discharged. If any
body asks You why you are going tell them
you have accepted a half interest in the
Barton Manufacturing Compay, Tonight
YOU may expect me al your home And
tell YOUR father to have his consent and
his blessing ready Good-by until this
evening.
.'Good.by, the girl murmurei as she
hurried out
Andrew looked toward the door Of the
storerOom.
The coast is clear, he called.
The door was pushed open aud Rawdon
appeared He came up to Andrew and
put out his hand. His look had sottened.
The hand he extended slightly trembled.
1t all right, he said, 1t all right.
He choked little. Il know you Il be
good TO her. The money can't hurt my
Anna. And now | II get out of the way
a soon as | can.
Andrew smiled
There was a way to find the proof, "
he said
Yes, nodded the older man. The
best way of ALL "
He grasped Andrew hand again and
was gone.