Army and Navy Weekly — page 36: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

1090 But would it be wise in him to let this opportunity of securing a position slip by? He could try it at any rate, and if he didn’t like it, could leave at theendof the week. Then, when he tried for another place, he could say that he had discharged himself. Thus Guy reasoned rapidly, and then replied: ‘‘T’]l try it. I’m not used to such early hours, but if you’ll let me begin right now, I’ll do my best.”’ ‘‘Very goot. Come back mit me to the desk and gif me your name and where you live, and somepody’s what can speak for your being honest and all that.’’ Guy complied, meutioned Dr. Pendleton for a refer- ence, and then took off his coat, ready to get to work. The other man came back and was introduced as Mr. Feder. The partners then retired to the little boxed-in compartment where the books were kept, while Guy was sent forward to make himself familiar with the contents of the various shelves. ‘*They seem to put a good deal of faith in me,’’ be mused. ‘‘I rather think though that Mr. Traubmann, from the way he looked at me, imagined he has made a very good bargain. I suppose the boy he had in mind was a snialler chap of fourteen or fifteen. Wonder how I’m going to get my _ breakfast by half-past six, though? It would hardly pay me to get it at some restaurant downtown. Perhaps J can make some ar- rangement with Miss Stanwix, though.”’ He resolutely tried to banish from his mind all thoughts of the Fireside Favorite, and to this end be- stirred himself to learn as much as_ possible about his new duties. He took down box after box, examined the shoes inside, as well as the statements of size and prices on the lid, and then made a mental note of the locality in the store in which certain styles were kept. He had been thus occupied for about twenty minutes, the quiet of the place being broken only by the thun- dering past now and then of a train on the Hlevated Road, and the subdued murmur of the voices of the partners, as they went over the books together, when alady entered. She was short and dumpy, had light hair, considerably frizzed up over her forehead, and wore a bonnet in which the combination of colors was enough to drive an artist distracted. Guy quickly pushed back into place the box of Con- gress gaiters he had been in the act of removing, and walking up to her, said in his politest manner: ‘‘Good afternoon, madam. With what can I serve you?”’ She started back, gave Guy a look that seemed to wither all the spirit within him, and then, pushing on past him, exclaimed: ‘‘What impudence is this? Can- not one vife come to see her man without being asked vat she wants.’’ With that she sailed on majestically to the rear of the store where Guy soon heard her demanding of Mr. Traubmann if the new clerk didn’t know a lady from a woman who came to buy shoes. However, the husband did not think it worth while to reprove his recently acquired employee for not recognizing Mrs. Traubmann, who presently departed, stuffing a roll of money into her card case. She had searcely been gone a quarter of an hour, before the sky clouded over and presently the rain began to fall in sheets. Guy was sent to take in the shoes that hung out in front for exhibition purposes, and while he was thus engaged a man hurried by him and entered the store. Guy followed to wait upon him and then saw that it was Mr. Inwood. HH CHAPTER VI. ADRIFT AGAIN. ‘‘Just get me outa pair of rubbers as quick as you ean. I’ve only got ten minutes to catch my boat, and I’ve had so much trouble with my throat lately, I don’t dare——*’ Mr. Inwood had got that far before he looked up and saw Guy standing before him. ‘*Great George, is it you?’’ he exclaimed, so loudly that the attention of Mr. Traubmann was attracted to the spot. e He came hurrving forward, and then, ‘‘Ach, Mr, In- wood,’’ he cried, ‘‘how do you do, sir?’? ‘*Quick, Traubmann,’’ responded the other, ‘‘get me a pair of rubbers. You know my size.’’ Guy retired precipitately to the other side of the store. ‘‘What a perversity of fate,’’ he reflected, ‘‘thatthat ARMY AND NAVY man of all others should happen in here to-day! And yet, I suppose he lives over in Jersey, and is on his way to the ferry, and so passes this shoe store every day in going to and from his office. I dare say it’s all up with me here now. I might as well go get my hat and coat at once.’’ For during the process of trying on the rubbers Mr. Inwood kept up a steady but subdued murmur of talk, and when be roseto go Mr. Traubmann called after him: ‘‘Verra muck obliged to you, sir, for letting me know.’? ; Guy braced himself for the ordeal, which was not long delayed. ‘*T tinks you will not suit us, Mr. Hammersley.’’ Mr. Traubmann came straight up to him after bow- ing Mr. Inwood out, and delivered himself of the above brief sentence. ‘‘Very well, sir,’’? was Guy’s quiet response, and he started to go tothe rear of the store, where he had hung his things. He paused for an instant, however, to say earnestly: ; ‘*Mr, Traubmann, [know very well what is the cause of this. I do not ask you to keep me, but before I go l want to say that I did not take that money.’’ That was all, and three minutes later Guy was out in the storm, without an umbrella, and with a weight of misery upon his heart that it seemed to him then- could never be lifted off. ‘Branded as a thief!’’ was the refrain that kept re- peating itself in his ears. Mechanically he hurried across the street to the Elevated Road Station and boarded an uptown train. It was now about the time he had been in the babit of returning from the restaurant. His mother need not know about the state of affairs for to-night at least. Perhaps in the morning he could get something better. Ix, Pendleton could help him—unless Mr. Burdell should report to him that unfortunate day’s occur- rence. What a nightmare that was! Whichever way he turned he found himself coufronted by something or other in connection therewith, When he reached home he was drenched through, but ‘‘My outward state is only in keeping with my in- ward one,’’ he reflected, with a sort of dismal sense of satisfaction at the fitness of things. — ‘*Guy,’? called his mother, as he stepped past her door to enter his own room first. ‘*Yes, mother; I’m wet, and must change my clothes at once.’’ He hurried through the process, wondering as he paused for an instant to decide which suit to put on, how long it would be before he should be saved the necessity of making a choice by reason of having only one, or at the most two suits left. Then, bracing him- self to try and seem as cheerful as ordinarily, he en- tered his mother’s room. ‘*My poor, poor boy!’? Mrs. Hammersley had clasped her arms about his neck, and was sobbing on his shoulder. ‘‘Why, mother, what is it?’’ he asked, leading her to the sofa. ‘‘Have you felt any ill effects from your accident?’’ ‘*Oh, no, no,’’? she returned, trying to steady her voice. ‘‘It is you, my boy—to think they should accuse you of such dreadful things.’’ , Guy felt a sudden sinking of the heart. His mother, then, knew all. But how had she learned it? Was it possible that Mr. Fox could have sent her word? ‘*But tell me that you cleared yourself, my son, and that they begged your pardon for daring to breathe the least suspicion against your integrity. Sit down here by me and tell me all about it. All I know is what I got out of Eliza by closely questioning her as to what she overheard when she was setting the table for lunch.’? Poor Guy! He thought he had already experienced the. sharpest poignancy of his misfortune. But here was a deeper depth through which to pass: telling his mother that he had not been exonerated, had been dismissed from his position in disgrace, and already deprived of another by reason of the stigma attaching to his name. It was a fearful ordeal, but when it was over Guy was granted that comfort which otherwise he could not have obtained. For his mother, her tears dried by her indignation, became his champion. ‘*This decides me, Guy,’’ she said. ‘‘We will leave New York at the first opportunity. My boy shall not be exposed to such experiences. ’’ CORmmicloo S (C@ + oT