The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-10
what name did you say?''

What name did you say?
The clerk In the little wooden box that
served as contingencies to New End Fac
tory, stopped down TO the pigeon-hole
through which he had been passing wages
to tho hands" and looked inquiringiy for
a faca to match the voice that had just
spoken to him.
pair of beautiful, weary eyes met his,
and frightened with faint touch OF inter-
est as their owner realized that instead OF
the usual elderly, dry-as-dust paymaster
young man was presiding over the dis
pensement of the weekly salaries.
Revere Halliday" she repeated more
clearly. while a tinge of pink invaded pale
cheeks, and an instant later sovereign
and some shillings were on the circular
sill. AID she had taken them and passed on.
The yard was emptying rapidly now. for
the employees In the accountants office, of
which she was one, were paid last, after all
the workmen had taken their money and
dispersed, so that only another girl or two
shorthand typists like herself, and about
thirty men-cIerks remained still on the
bither-side of the main gate: and as Revere
walked towards IL one OF these hurried
after her, and lifting his cap remarked:
New chap in the box. How's that?" nod
ding towards the little shed wedged into an
angle of the wall that was sponsor for the
name of PAY Corner"
Revsre's face clouded.
"I really don't know" she said, and
quickened her steps. Evidently this dark
browed, thin-lipped man both annoyed and
alarmed her.
But Jonas Marine was not easily rebuffed.
Looks above his work." he continued.
keeping pace with her. "A gentleman by
the cut of his clothes and the look of him.
I wonder what the governors have put him
In for"
cit is really of no interest to me-" said
Revere. IT cannot see how 1t matters to
any OF US who pays. so long as we are
paid You must excuse me. Mr.. Marine. I
want to get home early, and this Is my
way
She turned abruptly down a side street
ard left Marine staring In discontinue after
her.
He was at the head of his batch of fore
men, and but for a black cross standing
against his name from time to time in the
conduct sheet he would have been by now
an one of the most responsible positions of
the factory.
But his violent and overbearing nature
led TO many quarrels, and If there was a
row in the London road Marine was sure to
be in: 1T and to take more than his share
of the fighting. So that though his employ
ers and his mates in the factory alike
feared him, as men of strong natures are
feared, no one made friends with him OF
had a good word to say behind his back.
And since the day when an unguarded
look and speech from him had shown Re-
we're that she was the object of his ad-
miration and possibly of some deeper feel
ing. she had Stunned and hated him, and
would walk a mile out of her way to reach
New End rather than risk his companion
ship.
She did not slacken her. steps until she
was sure that he had not followed her, and
then she stopped to rest by bit of fenced
In waste ground, beyond which the
street of shabby houses where she lodged
Her thoughts followed her eyes to the
smoky haze of real London; for here, in
this hy-way, 1t seemed to be neither town
nor suburb, and she murmured:
II shall have to go. Every day he makes
some excuse to waylay me. I am fright.
enad of him, and I don't know why"
Sine was still bordering over the ex-
traord.nary influence Jonas Marne had be-
sun to exercise over her. when with g
start she became aware that the footsteps
of someone crossing the road had stopped
close to her. Without looking round shs
turned to hurry on. when a pleasant voice
said:
81 beg your pardon. am right for Fac
tory road?"
The relief she felt flushed into her face
as she answered: Eyes; it Is the street
facing you.'
The clerk lifted his hat, and, recognizing
the voice and face that had attracted hin
before, wondered what her expression
meant
at am afraid I startled you," he said
apologetically. but I am new here ano
have not learnt my way about yet. Al
the streets seem exactly like each other
It's a monotonous place."
ut Is a monotonous life," Revere an
swered; six days of factory and one o
rest, week in and week out"
She recognized him also. and wondered
as he had about her. at the incongruity o
his appearance with his position.
Unconsciously, they were already criti
cising each other closely.
Meeting him In the street by chance on
would have said that he was a mar who, i
he did any work at all. worked for tn
sake of having a profession and not to carr
a living. The intellectual, well-bred face
and the tall. well-clothed figure suggeste'
the life Of what the factory hands GALES
swell" Yet he was the new pay-clerl
in q backing factory the outskirts o
civilization!
''You must be very tired Of it." he said
talxiIg in the listlessness of her attitud
and the droop at the corner of her mouth.
They had both stopped, and she wa
again ieaning over the fence and LOOKING
towards ST. Paurs. the dome Of which
glowed In the sunset.
But" he went on. you could easily fin
something better. no doubt. Miss Halliday
Perhaps you have outside interests tia
keep you here?'
She smiled little.