The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-03-14
Love
and Graft.
Ole
Perrin Contract
or

tnat he nau Deen OtherWlSe employed
on the evenings that Evison had seen
him at Erkon Beacon.
The rest of the conversation only
plunged Jerrard deeper and deeper in
to the mire, although he was quite
unconscious Of it. However, it left
Evison strongly determined to watch
his fellow-clerk's movements, for he
began to feel that there was some
treachery afoot.
During all this time Evison was
growing every day to care more and
more for Dorothy Perrin, until at last
he found it impossible to keep it to
himself. He saw Dorothy frequently,
and on every occasion his passion be-
came more intense. He found it very
hard to refrain from telling all to her,
but out of feelings of respect to his
employer he deemed it his duty to
speak 10 Mr. Perrin first.
Accordingly Arthur managed to get
alone with his chief one evening after
the other clerks had gone, and i'm
mediately began to broach the sub
ject.
Il want to ask great favor OF you,
sir" he commenced, and then paused.
The fact is, want-er-" he paused
again. for, although he had definitely
decided beforehand what to say, the
words failed him at the auspicious mo-
ment.
MY dear fellow" said Mr.. Perrin,
for Eyison was a great favorite with
him, ''if l can possibly help you will,
but l hardly know yet what you are
in need of. Is it money!"
mo, sir" cried Evison, his face
flushing: I-er-I want to get mar
ried."
"oh, is that it?" returned Mr.. Per-
rim, cordially, I'm pleased to hear it;
who is the LADY,"
We'll, | haven't spoken TO her yet;
don't know whether it is advisable"
why not? She will be a lucky
girl, in my opinion"
I'm glad you think so. sir" con-
tinued Evison, because it is your
daughter l want"
On. wi. Itlllll ldCt q
very different expression. He became
thoughtful, and gazed meditatively at
the papers before him. Arthur waited
in trepidation for some moments, un-
til at last Mr.. Perrin began to speak.
"Im sorry, my boy" he said, but
it cannot be. Forgive me for saying
it, Arthur, but I have other views for
Dorothy"
II suppose you mean my position
is not good enough?" said Evison. bit
terly.
Not exactly that, Arthur" replied
Mr.. Perrin, but" He became silent.
Then / suppose it is useless, sir?"
81 am afraid so, my boy"
And so they settled matters without
dreaming of consulting Dorothy.
Arthur Evison left Mr.. Perrin's Of
flee and went out into the cool even
ing air. The decision of his chief af-
fected him considerably; he felt
choking sensation, his brain was whirl-
ing and everything around seemed to
dance before his eyes
there was no doubt of that; he could
not live SO near to Dorothy and know
all the while that she could never be
anything to him. He decided that he
would ask Mr. Perrin to let him go to
the firms Office In London and take
up an appointment there.
All the while he was stumbling for
ward through the twilight, crossing
an unfrequented part of the common
which led to Erkon Beacon. Presently
he sat down by clump of furZe and
again commenced to think over his
sudden misery. At that moment the
wind carried the murmur of voices
to him. Presently the speakers drew
near, and Evison distinguished the
voices of Walter Jerrard and Morti-
mer, the clerk in the employ of Josiah
Grey AS they passed by Evison's re-
treat, Jerrard was speaking.
THAT will be it, then" he was say.
ing. You meet me at the back door
in Iston lane at 10 O'Clock tomorrow
night, and I'll let you in. You can
get the tender and" their voices died
away
Arthur jumped to his feet and stared
into the gloom s,fter the retreating fig
ures.
Ten o'clock tomorrow night? The
tender, What did it mean? Did Jer-
rard mean treachery?
All thoughts of his own troubles
were driven from his head. There was
evidently some scheme on foot to get
at Mr. Perrin's estimate for the two
| new liners. Evison knew that if the
estimate or copy of it, got into the
hands of the rival firm they would un-
derquote Mr.. Perrin and so secure the
order.
"I'll be there at 10 o'clock as WE'LL"
he said to himself, "and see what goes
on
On arriving at the Office on the fol-
lowing morning he found that Mr.. Per-
rim would be away for the day. Jer-
rard was there. as usual, but very pale
and preoccupied The day seemed 10
pass by with leaden wings, and Evison
| uas heartily clad uhen tho hour of