The Holbrook news., 1911-07-21

Things began to happen in JohI Doris hitherto quiet life. He had been head draughtsman ten years Then, one June morning, Foster, the senior partner, called him to the in ner office. Tauton, the other firm member, was grinning in his happy fashion.
 You're junior partner, Dorr, from this time forthl How do you like it?'
 Both older men rose and shook hands with him. Their friendliness was personal as well as in business.
 Doris steady dark eyes lighted happily. He was probably thirty three or four, of the slow-going but absolutely sure sort He said nothing could be better And then they dis cussed the financial side. An hour later he was leaving them, when Tauton stopped him jocularly.
 We've only one fault to find with you, John. You're not quite human with that woman-proof heart of yoursi You seem never to even see a girl-and they all see youl Marry and be one of us, and have some real life in that little cottage of yours. Eh?"
 Dorr laughed, but his reserve was not broken. Some marry, like you; some, like me-do not I consider myself a successful bachelor" He left them, not saying that love had seemed to pass him by. He would marry, if ever, because love came and found him, not because other men married.
 The next astounding thing hap pened the next morning. Miss Gray, always at her desk early, was wait ing for him. No one else was down yet, and she followed him to the in- ner room and closed the door, In the year she had been in the office she had spoken to nobody there save on business, and almost never to Dorr. Now she laid a shining hand ful of jewelry on the desk before him, and stood, tall and slender, her face grave, her gray eyes serious She spoke as if conferring rather than asking favor.
 Could I get-$200 on these? I know nothing about pawning things"
 Through his amazement he noted the depth of her clear eyes, the way her fine, smooth brown hair framed her face, the little lines at her tenn ples- She could not have been much under thirty. He examined the heavy old watch of fine gold, two diamond rings, one very good; a little sap phire, like a blue eye, and other trinkets
 "I-should think SO. Why not let us-the frm-advance the money?"
 She shook her head firmly. That would not-do. And need the money this afternoon, too. I thought you could tell me the best place to go."
 "They are all-horrible places. Properly managed, some of them might lend it. Pll-go for you. You couldn't go to a place like that"
 She turned as if the matter were settled. Thank you very much" she said pleasantly and went back to her desk.
 He liked it that she did not ex- plain, that if she had troubles she did not mention them, and that, what ever 1t was, she came to her own firm But it set his thoughts upon her. How came she to have such ex- pensive things? Why did she need money? She had a good salary, lived very quietly, and inexpensively-he knew where she boarded, and had a vague idea that all her people were dead He thought he would-why, he would quietly keep her jewels and give her the money himselfi Then he knew she would not accept it. He was driven to deceit. He pawned the watch only, as less personal, and when he gave her the envelope of bill merely showed her the ticket, explaining that he would keep it and get the things when the 50 days were up.
 But the matter disturbed him, and he wished it had not occurred. He furtively studied her. She was lady. The quietness of her dress and manner, the perfection of her toilet, above all, her reserve, showed that Her voice was cultivated, and her work showed the grasp and accuracy of a trained mind.
 As the hot June days passed he saw change in her. Miss Taylor, the bookkeeper, had gone on her va cation, and as business was light, Miss Gray did her work in her ab- sence. Was it too much for her? Dorr noted that for the first time since he had known her, she seemed worried. Her eyes were shadowed, her face pale. He spoke to her about It one Saturday noon after the others had left and were not to return. She was bending over a ledger.
 Miss Gray, it's pretty hot in here. You'd better not stay-let 1t go until Monday. Shall work at 1t for an hour? I can"
 She seemed to shrink from him. and protested.
 NO" she said, let me do 1t I'm IoornfnC-vo1f knOW Pm mt an ov-