The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-08-25
NATHALIE'S CHOICE.
BY Mrs. EMMY c. BRACK.

Warner gaZed upon the pale coun-
tenance of his secretary with an al
most parental solicitude which his
usually stern visage could lily conceal.
He was apparently i'll at ease, but his
delicate sense of propriety restrained
him from making an inquiry which
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
year, had elected in that short time
an almost fatherly interest on the
part of its senior member.
Why a man of Warmers peculiar
characteristics should be drawn to
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 young 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 ay-
erage young man, but he hesitated in
contemplating a campaign with the
impossible.
Another barrier far more impreg-
nabe 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 un-
doubtedly held undisputed possession
of the young lady's heart.
1t was indeed a strange predica-
ment in which Melville had become
hopelessly entangled. The audacity
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-
tiate such an impression, and so his
ardent young heart palpitated be-
twiXt hope and despair, while his
overtayed 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 a disconsolate
air. 81
He was thus engrossed when Nath-
allie entered the room and advanced
to his side.
"One would think that you had lost
a 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, l 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
CALAMITY 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
a flush to Melvile'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
uncontrollably as he sought to reply.
The embarrassing silence was al,
most Immediately broken by the en-
trance of both members of the firm
"Can you give me any information.
concerning this matter, my boy?J
visibly agitated, Warner laid his hand