Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1910 — The Girl from Brownlows [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Girl from Brownlows

Brownlow, managing director of the emporium that bore his name, laid aside one letter from the morning’s correspondence as deserving his personal attention, and when the manager appeared he indicated the batch with a jerk of the head. “You can attend to all that lot yourself, Morton,’’ he said. “There is nothing important excepting this. Crewson is returning from abroad after a three>ear business tour, and asks us to furnish The Hollies at Nutford —regardless! The thing has to be done in a month's time, and everything must be In readiness for. habitation. Bringing a wife home with him, I expect. Now, who do you suggest shall have charge and see the thing through?” , The manager considered thoughtfully. “There is Miss Gordon,” he said hesitatingly. “Gordon?” queried the director. “Yea You remember Gordon, ,the merchant? He failed about two years ago, and caused a sensation by putting an end to his life.” “How long has she been with the Arm?” “Nearly two years. Perhaps you would like to see her?” “Right! Show her up!" Brownlow scrutinized the girl as she nervously entered the private office. “We have an important matter here. Miss Gordon, and as I hear good re

ports of your abilities, f feel disposed to trust you with the execution of it. Are you willing to undertake the responsibility.” She nodded. “Very good. There must be nothing showy and gaudy. I know our client's family, and if there is a comfortable, artistically furnished home in Lancashire it is the Oaks." “The Oaks!” The girl let the words slip out with a little gasp. “Yes; the Crewsons,” he replied. And, he added, more kindly, “did you know them?" “Yes.” Her eyes filled. “Never mind the past,” continued Brownlow, with a touch of sympathy that surprised him. “See this thing through all right, and we’ll look after you in the future.” She thanked him lu a broken voice and staggered through the doorway. At last she reached the little room she rented. On the mantelpiece was a photograph of a young man, whose smiling, handsome face had cheered her through long months of bitter struggle. But now the smile was a smile of mockery. With a white face she gaxed long and steadily at it, and presently sobs convulsed her. 4 lt'B 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 himself contradicted, and his suggestions politely, but none the. less decidedly, refused. Miss Gordon objected to be guided. y" Before the stipulated time all was In readiness, and she would have returned to the shop. But Brownlow repermission, and, though she was terrified at meeting her old lover, •he was forced to remain. One morning the bell rang. Grewson bad arrived. She started forward to ®bey the summons, and stopped.

clutching the table for support. The bell rang again, and the little maid-of-all-work seized the opportunity of showing herself at the door. Crewson entered with Brownlow, and made a tour of the principal rooms ~JL “Yes, I am very pleased with the house—very,” she heard him say. “Everything has been done beautifully. and reflects great credit upon the person you put In to superintend matters. Only, unfortunately, it will have to remain unoccupied for a little time.” “Indeed?” “Yes. Things haven't turned out quite as 1 expected, and If you coqld 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 him —and hopeless despair. Two days later a box arrived and, unpacking It, she found >his photo. With a stifled sob she arranged it conspicuously upon a cabinet, and gave her attention to the remaining articles. The next morning the little maid was cleaning outside when Crewson appeared. “Is 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 a silver frame and fixed the photograph in it; then, placing it upon the cabinet again, she set beside it a similar frame without a photograph. “For his wife!” she muttered sadly, and turning, she found his eyes fixed upon her. She uttered a little scream, and recovered her composure. "Nell—you?” he questioned bewildering! y. “Yes.” She bowed to hide her flushed face, and leaned heavily against the mantel to hide the fact that she was trembling. “And you—you have furnished this house for me?” “Yes.” She choked back a sob, and continued. “I had to do it or—or leave Brownlow’s. And I couldn’t do that without the probability of starving again.” “To think you have come to this!” *‘We will not discuss my position, please.” The tears were filling her eyes, but she spoke determinedly, and indicated the empty frame. "I have left that for—for your wife's photograph. And, now, can you tell me when my service! will be no longer necessary?” “Ah! Who told you I had married?” “Mr. Brownlow said you were bringing a wife home from abroad." 'And knowing that, you—you ” "I did my best tor —the firm." For a moment there was a tense silence. She stood with downcast eyes, vainly endeavoring to conceal her emotion, whilst Crewson took from Ms letter-case the photo of a girl. “I presume that unless you obey my instructions now your position with the firm, as you call It, will be jeopardised?” he said. »

That is so. If there is anything——” Must one thing, please. If you will plgcfrdhat photograph in the stand you have^reserved for my wife’s, I think that will be all.” She got a glance at him, and swayed dangerously. For a few seconds she hesitated, and then stretched out her hand for the card. - “If you Insist,” she commenced, and stopped. The room appeared to whirl round, and her sight .was blurred with unshed tears, but dashing them away, she looked at tire photograph in her hand again. There was no mistake. It was a picture of herself. “You mean you want me?” she sobbed. For a moment he did not reply. He took her in his arms and kissed the tear-stained face until it glowed with eager happiness.—Answers.

"YOU MEAN YOU WANT ME?"