The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-02-06

She came forward with her tablet
and pencil and took the chair by his
desk. Andrew gave her a quick
glance. She was pale. And somehow
the pallor became her.
Miss Rawdon," said Andrew, fare
you quite satisfied with your position
here?"
She gave a little start and dull
red flushed her cheeks.
II have no reason to complain she
answered.
Andrew hesitated.
For some time / have thought OF
asking you to give up your place. he
asked
II am ready to leave at any mo-
ment," she quickly remarked.
wait, please" he said. II wanted
you to leave because I meant to offer
you what I hoped you would consider
a better position"
She looked at him with startled ex.
preston.
81 have hesitated," he went on, .'be-
cause / wished you to know me better
first. You have really had no chance
to get acquainted with me. am
afraid you regard me as mere money
grubber. You had no reason to sup
pose there were any tender qualities
in my makeup. And yet I want you
to know that you attracted me the
very first day you came into my en-
ploy. That attraction has grown
stronger and deeper. It 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
it was better to put Wle matter to the
test and learn my fate. / say this to
you because / want to excuse my alb
ruptness. l am not tactful. am only
practical-and I love you. Will you be
my wife,"
The girl had been regarding him with
troubled look. The hand that held
the tablet trembled. Then her gaze
was suddenly averted and a rosy flush
crept across her pale face.
your wife, she murmured.
Eyes, my wife,"
There was bewilderment in her eyes
as she slowly raised them to his face.
But l never dreamed you cared for
me-
II fancy" laughed Andrew, ''that
have been depressing my natural emo
tons too long. But I'll promise to
dc
question goes unanswered"
She hesitated Then she shook her
head, and the tears filed her eyes.
my father would never consent"
she murmured.
Your father?''
eyes; you do not know him. He
he has very strange ideas. He-oh, il
is impossible"
wait, dear, I have seen your
father"
you have seen my father?"
She gasped as she said it.
Eyes. Indeed he is not so terrible.
You see, l made up my mind to say
to him boldly, Mr.. Rawdon, l love
your daughter. VIII you give her to
me?'"
He raised his voice a little at these.
words
did you say that to my father?" she
gasped again.
II said it to him.
"And he-what did he say?"
Andrew suddenly smiled.
well, he said quite enough to con-.
vince me that 1 had nothing to fear
stacle has gone. Is it yes, Anna:"
She dropped little.
"It is yes" she softly answered.
He caught the trembling hand thai
held the tablet and pressed it to his
lips. i
You make me'a very happy man, !"
he murmured. 'There, now, go back to
your desk and gather up your belong
ings and collect what is due you from
the cashier You are discharged. If
anybody asks you why you are going,
tell them you have accepted half In
terest in the Barton Manufacturing
Company. Tonight you may expect
me at your home. And tell your father
to have his consent and his blessing
ready. Good-by until this evening"
"Good-by," the girl murmured as she
hurried out.
Andrew looked toward the door Of
the stOreroom.
1.-THE coast is clear" he called.
The door was pushed open and Raw
don appeared. He came up to Andrew
| and put out his hand. His look had
softened. The hand he extended
slightly trembled.
Its all right" he said, s'it's all
| right" He choked little. II know
you'll be good to her. The money
| can't hurt my Anna. And now iii get
out of the way as soon as can"
Andrew smiled.
"There was way to find the proof"
| he said.
eyes," nodded the older man. ''The
best way of ALL
| He grasped Andrews hand again and
was gone.-W. r. Rose, in Cleveland