The Blotting Pad.

The Blotting Pad .

A LOVE STORY . BY PROF . F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M . -1-5 , P . Z . 742 . Author of "Saved h y a Puff of Wind , " 'The Four Henries , " " Champai / ne Cheap , " " A Case of Suicide , " § -c .

¦ f ^ S ! g § J - HARRY HASTING S , a thriving young merchant , ll / fflH ilttVw ° ^ Everston , had been busily engag-ed during the i / WW MCTI \\ * | l IE ! psl ) J morning and afternoon , in interviewing * upwards IKO §| \ aj / A , ° f < M lucly candidates , who had 'applied , in answer | g £ La ~ : » -. 5 S ) to an advertisement , for the post of typewriter and secretary , in his ollice . He had been visited

by many maidens of certain and uncertain ages , of every variety of personal appearance , some good looking , others the reverse . All were , however , eager for the post ^ -and professed themselves qualified for the duties required .

Mr . Hastings took down the names of three , or four , but found it difficult to decide . One , however , of the later arrivals attracted his attention . She was a young girl of about If ) or 20 , small in stature and figure , a blonde with fair hair and blue

expressive eyes , of which , however , little could be seen , for she modestly looked down , as if afraid . She said she had , up to Lhe present tinu > , no business experience , she had only learnt typewriting as an amusement , but she thought she might bo able , after a little practice , to acquire facility and be of use .

Mr . Hastings asked her name , and enquired if she had any references to offer .

She replied , she was Lucy Ashford , that she had beeu living with her father and brother , some miles from Everston . Her father had been dead some time , and left her brother and herself in almost destitute circumstances . Her brother had ,

fortunately , obtained employment , but sho determined not to be a burden on him and hoped to be able to contribute to her own support . She gave , as reference , the landlady of the house , at Everston , where her brother and she were lodging .

Now , although prudence and due caution should have dictated to Mr . Hastings to apply to the reference given before engaging the young lady , he did not do so , but informed Miss Ashford that she might commence her duties at his ollice next week ; the fact was he had taken a fancy to her .

Before leaving the ollice , he wrote to those whose addresses he had taken down , saying that the situation had been filled up . Next Monday Miss Ashford commenced her duties . It was uot long , however , before it was seen that the youn <*» lady was not suited to the post , as she herself said , she had had no business experience .

Mr . Hastings was very kind , passed over many glarin * - mistakes she made , and assisted her materially , but at last , ho began to have serious misgivings , that he had acted unwisely , and that his business interests would seriously suffer .

One morning , a week after her engagement , Mr . Hastings called her to his room , and said , " I am afraid , Miss Ashford , I shall not be able to continue your services , you must be aware , yourself , how inexperienced you are . "

"Oh ! Mr . Hastings , kindly grant me your patience for a week or so more , I will do my utmost to improve , I ain sure I shall succeed . " As she spoke , she looked earnestly at her employer , her beautiful eyes pleaded more iu her favour than did her tongue .

The Blotting Pad.

" Well , Miss Ashford , I consent to postpone my decision for a month , from to-day , perhaps , during that time you may be able to improve ; I will help you as far as lies in my power . " She gratefully thanked him , and felt encouraged by his

words . At first , slowly , but afterwards more rapidly , sho made herself acquainted wilh business details , she acquired selfconfidence , so that , long before the month had expired , she was able to perform her duties , with comfort to herself , and to the entire satisfaction of her employer .

It must be owned that Mr . Hastings was very patient and considerate , and materially assisted her . And now that she is fairly settled , let us say a few words concerning Harry Hastings and Lucy Ashford , our hero and heroine .

Harry Hastings was the only son of a prosperous merchant , who , on his death , left him a moderate fortune and a wellestablished mercantile connection , which the son , from his early business training and capacity , was able to improve . He was a , handsome young fellow , about 25 , with dark hair and eyes , well

built form , which had been developed by athletic sports , and a great cricketer in the club to which he belonged . He was of a frank , kindly disposition , and the soul of honour . He was a great favourite amongst the 3 'oung ladies of his acquaintance ,

many of whom would only have been too happy to shave the fate and fortune of one who was so desirable , but , up to the present time , ho was proof against all female attractions , and was , iu fact , heart-whole , how long he would remain so , events would prove .

Lucy Ashford , as we have before said , was petite , but of a graceful figure , she would not , perhaps , have been called beautiful , but her clear bright complexion , her silken golden hair , but above all , her expressive bright blue eyes made her face one that was a pleasure to look on ; her unobtrusive , modest

demeanour added greatly to her attractions . Her early history had been a painful one * her father , who had held a high position , as Manager of a local bank , at Void , about IS miles from Everston , after many years of honoured respectability , had indulged in speculation , lost

heavily , and , to pay his liabilities , appropriated the funds of the bank . When the audit took place his defalcations were discovered , he attempted flight , was arrested , and after

commitment , was tried at the Assizes , found guilty , and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment ; before it was completed he died , leaving to his son . and daughter a legacy of shame and disgrace .

As the people of Void , on the death of the father , looked askance upon the son ami daughter , Lucy was advised by her brother to leave Yold , and proceed to Eveiwton , and when there he proposed they should assume a new name . A . s we have seen , the brother obtained employment , auel the sister , oui *

Lucy , was engaged by Mr . Hastings . Lucy now was i | iiite happy and contented , becoming , day by day , more useful to Mr . Hastings , who appreciated her worth , bestowed his confidence , nnd often consulted her on important points , aud was delighted at her ready , apt discrimination and judgment .

As for Lucy herself , she began to take , great interest in Harry Hastings' affairs . She felt so grateful for his past and present kindness—her gratitude became warm , too warm , indeed , for her peace of mind—but she was careful not to

betray herself by word or look , and religiously kept her secret , unknown but to herself . There was , however , one jarring note of discord—her brother , who held a good , situation , became gradually careless , and unpiinctual in his habits , and , at last , so

Ad04102

•n*tfi*^*v^^ftl^^a*&&' ** AGEDMERCHANTSEAMEN'SINSTITUTION. The ONLY Institution which -jives , ii-rcs |* i-i-t ivo'of rank , ports of service or place of . abode , ; i Home m- Pension to British MCICIKIIII Seamen when Oltl and Destitute . 250 APPROVED APPLICANTS STILL ON THE LIST , Ages 65 to 90 . "Cast me not off' in the time of old ago , forsake me not when my strength faileth . " THE COMMITTEE URGENTLY NEED AND EARNESTLY APPEAL FOR YOUR ANNUAL HELP . OFFICE:58,FENCHURCHSTREET,E.C.*«,i,,^^.,^^,_^