The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-11-08

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thought she saw something like a
twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
But in business hours?"
In business hours" said Nellie vir-
tuously, and hoping to goodness he
would take the hint, nothing should
be spoken of but business. And l
don't know who put the horrid
things on my DESK" she added, now
quite convinced that what she saw in
his eyes was gathering anger, and
not smile at all.
Mr.. Dunno looked at the flowers,
and he looked at her flushed, up-
turned face. 1t seemed to him that
the vlolets themselves were not so
sweet and so blue as her eyes, and
sc wondered If he had been blind un-
til that moment
We'll, If someone has been put
ting them on your desk without your
permission, it was confound imperti-
nence," he said, vehemently; land 1
will see that it doesn't occur again
in this office. Will you take this let
ter, please?"
Now he is angry" said Nellie, to
herself, as she struck the keys with
her rapid fingers, never dreaming
how their swift motion had become
fascinating to the silent man who
watched them. The movement
showed her white delicate hands to
advantage, and Mr.. Dunno called
himself an utter fool that he had
never noticed their beauty before.
Nellie was rather surprised that her
employer found it necessary to die
tate in person that day several let
ters, which usually came through the
head clerk. but she would certainly
have doubted the sanity of any one
who had limited at the reason. And
her belief that Mr.. Dunno was very
angry over the flowers was more
than confirmed when she heard him
speaking to Mr.. Findlay about it
with considerable show of temper.
You needn't have given ine thing
away to the governor, Miss Briscoe,"
said one of the juniors to her, re-
proachfully, at the luncheon hour.
He found it out himself" she an
swered, and was very glad, for it
rightly served whoever did it for be-
ing so silly. It's not business-like,"
concluded Nellie, with the air of a
banker.
We'll, no one will do it again."
Srumbled the junior, who was him
self the culprit. having made small
bet that he dared.
81 am very glad to hear it," re-
torted Nellie, with dignity; and later
on that junior expressed very strong
views on the intrusion of women into
business, and their neglect of their
rlshtful, sphere at the fireside
Meanwhile Mr.. Dunno was finding
his mind invaded by some very
strange and unaccostumed thoughts.
He even began to wonder whether
success in business was really the
only aim in life worth pursuing. He
discovered himself entertaining the
most curious feelings towards
young fellow he knew who Just then
was going about with a beaming
face, inviting congratulations on the
birth of his first baby; if it had not
been so absurd he would have called
the feeling ENVY" but he knew that
the foolish man could not be making
more than two thousand dollars
year. And though he had never no.
ticed it before the expensive apart
ments he occupied began to appear
strangely lonely of an evening He
caught himself wondering whether a
bunch of violets on the table would
not make it seem less desolate, and
from that it was but a short step to
imagining pair of blue eyes oppo-
site to him. But here he checked
his thoughts in a kind of panic, and
decided that he had better go out to
a theatre, which he found singularly
unentertaining.
In very furtive manner, and feel.
ing much ashamed of himself, he be-
gan TO make inquiries about Nellie.
He soon discovered that she lived
alone with an invalid mother whom
her scanty wages supported. Only
by the exercise OF much self-restraint
did he prevent himself from doubling
Nellie's salary on the spot when he
heard that, and he felt quite new
glow at his heart, when his inform
ant told him how carefully the girl
tended her mother, though she is
out slaying all day, and might be ex-
pected to want little pleasure when
she comes home"
For another week he watched Mel
lie closely, she all unaware OF his
scrutiny; and then, on arriving at
business one morning, she found
some expensive orchids on her desk.
With heightened color. Nellie car
rled them into the outer office.
Tommy, she said, viciously, call
ing the Office boy, will you please
fling these horrid weeds into the
street,"
Then she retired in high dudgeon
to her own little Office; the other
clerks looked at each other, wonder
ing who was the culprit this time;
and Mr.. Dunno, their stern and
dreaded employer; who had been
! rtanding just by the open door, sat
down heavily on a chair, his face
white as a ghosts.
THAT was meant for me- he said,
despairingly. with all lovers lack
of logic.
And meantime Nellie was saying
to herself;
"Those men are just too horrid,