Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-04-24


4 ployed in her fathers office a month
when little Thomas Cleary applied
for work as an office boy, and listen
ing to Celia's persuasions, Mr.. Gilman
had engaged him. But he was not
favorably impressed with Thomas,
and later on reminded Celia that
from the first he had not liked the
boys looks.
Thomas was nearly twelve years
old, the oldest of four children, and
his father was serving out a sentence
In the State prison. The boys ap-
pearance was not wholly prepos-
sessing, although Celia declared that
when Thomas smiled he was the best
looking boy in the block, but no one
else seemed to take note of his claim
to beauty. His shock of black hair,
which apparently never could be
brushed into smoothness. the small
black eyes under the low forehead,
he large mouth and heavy chin did
iot make Thomas an attractive lad.
Here are your corals, Celia" said
Mr.. Gilman one morning laying
small package on his daughters desk.
I had the clasp mended; your moth
ar thought you would want them to
wear at your class reunion tonight. y
@oh, yes" responded Celia.
Thomas, Just put my corals in the
Iafe, please" Thomas obeyed, won
iering what 4corals" were. but asking
40 questions.
Il must go out of town this morn
ng," continued Mr.. Gilman, drawing
roll Of bills from an inside pocket,
and when you go out for lunch,
Celia. want you to take this Haeney
Town to Browns bank and get their
receipt for it. | want it to be in
their hands before 2 o'clock to-day. &"
Celia looked up from her type
writer. "All right, father" she re-
Piled.
Il shall not come back to the
affice to-day" concluded Mr.. Gilman;
you and Thomas will have to look
after things. Ill put the money with
FOUR corals, and then you won't for
get it,"
How much is it. father?" asked
Celia, as Mr.. Gilman stopped mo-
ment beside her on his way out.
at is just $4,000. my dear, and
lust as soon as you-get the banks re-
eeipt for it. it will mean that we are
entirely out OF debt"
well, now you can raise Thomas
pay, can't your" said the girl laugh
lngly.
Mr.. Gilman made no response, and
the office door closed behind him.
Every time that Thomas went near
the safe that morning he thought
about the money it contained. Two
thousand dollars" he said to. himself.
sThat would buy most everything
1t would buy me mother a house. and
loike as not 'twould buy shoes for all
of us, and piano for Maggie.
1t was nearly noon when a clang
Of bells rang up from the street.
sThere's a firel" exclaimed the boy,
rushing to the window that looked
down on Washington street. Gee!
1t must be near herel. and he opened
the window and leaned out in search
of further information. Celia did not
look up from her work. She wanted
to finish early that afternoon, and
had no interest in fire alarm. She
was thinking, too. of her class re-
anion and of the dainty gown earned
by her own work that she was to
wear that evening.
Say and Thomas brought him
self back into the room with a spring.
a hopeful light shining in his black
eyes. Say. Miss Celia. there's an
awful crowd on the street, and two
engines" A loud Changing Of the
bells sent the boy back to the win
dow
Celia smiled at his excitement as
she went on with her work. Say,
Miss Celia. can I go to lunch now.
and see where the fire is?s asked
Thomas; Its past 70.
Celia nodded, and grabbing his
cap, the boy disappeared. As she
worked steadily on Celia became con-
scious of an unusual commotion in
the building. Doors slammed, and
she could hear people running
through the corridors. She noticed
the burr of the fire engines. and just
then her office door was flung open
and some one called:
Anybody in this office? The place
is on fret"
Celia sprang up and rushed into
the corridor. As she did so. fire.
man met her.
All out! Take the stairsir he
called. Hurry up, young woman.
Don't stop for your hat. as he saw
Celia turn back toward the open door
of the office. Hat" Celia repeated
scornfully. remembering the econo-
mics practiced to save the money that
lay in the little safe, and resolved
that she would not leave the building
without it. But she reekoned with
out her fireman. Before she could
reach the office he was beside her,
and his grasp was on her arm.
you haven't time to go back.
How came you to lInger up here. A
boy is having fits about you down on
the sidewalk
As he talked he hurried her toward
the stairway.
Il can't go till | get that money.
she screamed, as on the next landing
vel Of smoke swept around them.