The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-07-05
NATHALIES CHOICE.
BY MRS. EMMY G. BRACK.


usually stern visage could lily conceal.
I. He was apparently i'll at ease, but his
delicate sense of propriety restrained
him from making an inquiry which
q might SO easily carry with it embar-
rassment to his subordinate.
Melville, who had been confidential
secretary to the brokerage firm Of
Warner and Brooks for less than a
year, had elected in that short time
an almost fatherly interest on the
. part of its senior member.
Why man of Warmers peculiar
characteristics should be drawn to a
personality so wholly dissimilar, was
an enigma no one had as yet at
tempted to solve. But that the
brusque old broker had taken a par
ticular liking to the yopng man for
some latent reason, no one could
deny
Nathalie Warner had likewise
found herself irresistibly drawn to
the young man, whose only indorse-
ment of TRY me, sir" had won him
an enviable position in her fathers
employ.
And now in less than twelve
months time, Melville found himself
, in the rather delicate position>of be-
ing in love with this girl, whose So
cial environment was so totally differ
ent from that of his own inferior
station.
His dauntless spirit had aided him
in overcoming the many obstacles
which impede the progress of the av-
erage young man. but he hesitated ii
contemplating a campaign with the
impossible.
Another barrier far more impreg-
nable than either wealth or social po-
sition existed in the person of Wilbur
Brooks, son of the junior member of
the firm, who had long basked in the
sunshine OF Nathalie's smiles and I'M
doubtedly held undisputed possession
of the young lady's heart.
1t was indeed a strange predica-
3 ment in which Melville had become
hopelessly entangled. The au6acity
of it all gradually dawned upon him
and he was on the verge of relinquish-
ing all claim when the girlish smile
again entangled him in it's meshes.
And now for several weeks he
found himself beset by vexatious
questions of doubt and uncertainty
Possibly only a mere friendship ex-
listed between Nathalie and Wilbur
Brooks.
But there was nothing to substan-
tate such an impression, and so his
/, ardent young heart palpitated be-
,twixt hope and despair, while his
overtaxed brain sought in vain to re-
cover from its gloomy distractions to
attend to the duties of his position.
Shortly after lunch Brooks re-
turned and hastily entered his part
ner's private Office and angrily
slammed the door
Melville, aroused from his lethargy
by the harsh tones emanating from
the adjoining room, strolled over to
the window, whistling disconsolate
air.
He was thus engrossed when Nath-
allie entered the room and advanced
to his side.
Zone would think that you had lost
: near relative" she finally began,
seeing that the others thoughts were
beyond the confines of the stuffy Of
fee.
Melville stopped abruptly.
why, Miss Nathalie, 1 beg your
pardon. Have you been here long?"
Long enough to hear you render
that funeral dirge,'' and she burst
into merry laugh in which Melville
gallantly strove to join her.
But quickly restraining herself
upon seeing her companions pale
countenance, she advanced toward
him with outstretched hand.
you are ILL.,"
The soft, solicitous tones brought
flush to Melville's cheeks. He sud-
denly found himself waited to the
highest pinnacle of hope; something
in that sweet glance touched the cords
within his heart and his lips quivered
Auncontrollably as he sought to reply.
Ia The embarrassing silence was al
Abnost Immediately broken by the en-
rance of both members of the firm.
III "Can you give me any information
concerning this matter. my boy?"
Z Visbly agitated, Warner laid his hand
upon Melville's shoulder and looked
him squarely in the eyes.
Melville's pa1lor deepened as he
tremblingly grasped the proffered
sheets.
II expected as much" calculated
Brooks as with triumphant and bit
terly sarcastic smile he turned upon
his heel and disappeared within his
own private office.
Melville averted his superior's
gaze; but his effort to conceal his
anger at the implied accusation of the
junior member of the firm did not
escape the others notice.
You know nothing about this mat
terri" The kindly tones brought a
CLEAN of gratitude from the young
mans eyes.
Evidently Mr.. Melville is between
two fires, father. Why do you seek to
shield Wilbur Brqpks?" This last, to
the dumfounded secretary.
II shield young Mr.. Brooks?"
Eyes. You saw him remove these
sheets while he was in fathers office
yesterday afternoon.
why, Nathalie, what does this all
mean?" Warner sank into nearby
chair as if stricken. Brooks door