The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-12-30
THE GIRL FROM
RROWNT. Owls

emporium that bore his name, laid aside
one letter from the mornings CORE
spondence as deserving his personal at
tention, and when the manager appeared
he indicated the batch with a jerk OF
the head
"You can attend to all that lot your
self. Norton he said. "There is moth
ing important excepting this Crewson
is returning from abroad after three
year business tour, and asks us to fur
nish The Hollies at Nutford-regardless
The thing has TO be done il a months
time. and everything must be in readi-
| ness for habitation. Bringing wife
home with him, expect. Now, who do
you suggest shall have charge and see
the thing through?''
The manager considered thoughtfully
"There is Miss Gordon" he said hest
tatingly.
"Gordon?" queried the director.
Eyes. You remember Gordon, the
merchant? He failed about two years
ago. and causetr sensation by putting
an end to his life"
"How long has she been with the
firm?"
Nearly two years. Perhaps you would
like to see herr"
Right Show her up!"
Brownlow scrutinized the girl as she
nervously entered the private Office. i
''We have an important matter here,
Miss Gordon, and as l hear good re-
ports of your abilities, feel disposed to
trust you with the execution of it. Are
you willing to undertake the response
bility,"
She nodded.
"'Very good. There must be nothing
snowy and gaudy. | know our clients
family. and if there is comfortable,
artistically furnished home in Lancashire
it is the Oaks"
"The Oaks!" The girl let the words
slip out with little gasp.
"Yes: the Crewsons," he replied. And,
he added, more kindly, Did you know
them ?"
Eyes" Her eyes filled.
''Never mind the past" continued
Brownlow, with touch of sympathy
that surprised him. "See this thing
through all right, and We'll look after
you in the future"
She thanked him in a broken voice
and staggered through the doorway.
At last she reached the little room she
rented. On the mantelpiece was a pho
tograph of a young man, whose smiling,
handsome face had cheered her through
long months of bitter struggle. But
now the smile was smile of mockery.
With white face she gazed long and
steadily at it, and presently sobs con-
vulsed her.
Its not just because he promised, ?
she sobbed. That's all over now. But
to be forced to prepare the home for
him and her-it's too hard!"
The next three weeks passed in a
whirl. Brownlow, for once, found him
self contradicted, and his suggestions
politely, but none the less decidedly, re-
fused. Miss Gordon objected to be
guided.
Before the stipulated time all was in
readiness, and she would have returned
to the shop. But Brownlow refused the
permission, and, though she was terri
fed at meeting her old lover, she was
forced to remain.
One morning the bell rang. Crewson
had arrived. She started forward to
obey the summons, and stopped, clutch
ing the table for support. The bell rang
again, and the little maid of all work
seized the opportunity of showing her
self at the door.
Crewson entered with Brownlow, and
made tour of the principal rooms.
eyes, [ am very pleased with the
house-very," she heard him say.
Everything has been done beautifully,
and reflects great credit upon the per-
son you put in to superintend matters.
Only, unfortunately, it will have to re-
main unoccupied for little time"
"Indeed?'
'Yes Things haven't turned out
quite as I expected, and if you could
arrange for one of your people to act
as caretaker for a few weeks, it would
relieve me immensely.
"And"-he approached the door-'you
might instruct her to arrange the few
things photographs and ornaments I
have picked up-as she thinks BEST"
The next moment he had gone, and
she sat down with mingled feelings of
pride-proud satisfaction that she had
pleased hinl-and hopeless despair.
Two days later box arrived and, I'M
packing it, she found his photo. With
a stifed sob she arranged it conspicu-
ously upon cabinet, and gave her at
tention to the remaining articles.
The next morning the little maid was
cleaning outside when Crewson ap-
peared.
els the caretaker in?" he questioned,
and, receiving an affirmative reply, he
entered unannounced At the drawing
room door he stopped. The caretaker
had her back toward him, but in her
outstretched hand she was holding his
photo, and it seemed to him she was
scrutinizing his pictured features with
more than idle curiosity.
presently she took silver frame and
fixed the photograph in it; then, plac-