A Business Career

XIV

98 and happiness and hope.Shesawbefore her alonely, childless future, and a grave by which there would be none to weep. "I am growing old," she said with a sob; then, with aflash of intuition, "There is some other woman, some younger woman." XIV. Stella found a boarding-place, after a little search. Since her brother was working in the city, she would have preferred a house where they could board together. She had seen him during the earlier part of the week and suggested such an arrangement. "Well, Stella," replied George,with visible hesitation, "the fact is that Mrs. Johnson's is quite full, in the first place, and in the second place she doesn't take women." "My idea wasto find a boarding-house where they would take us both," said Stella. "You can no doubt run across a place whereyou'll be comfortable ," he rejoined,"and whereI can seeyou often; and after a while, when it's convenient for me, we can get together. I'd rather not leave Mrs. Johnson's this month. In fact, I've paid my month's board in advance; and there are other reasons why I should n't care to changejust now. In the meantime, if you need money or want anythingverybadly,why, call on me, Stella, and I'll help you out." 99 Stella thought her brother must be doing very well in his business, to be sofreewith his money.Sheknewwhathissalary had been a fewmonths before,and had not been informed of any recent increase. She made no remark, however,upon the subject, and simply thanked him. "Let me know your address," he said, as he left, "so that I can call when you are settled." Upon consulting Mrs.Paxton with reference to a boardinghouse , her friend recommended a certain home for young women, a very select institution, of a partially eleemosynary character, where board and lodging were furnished at cost, with refinedhome influencesthrown in for love of humanity. "I don't think I'd like it, Mrs. Paxton. I'm not a subject of charity—not even the most delicate and unobtrusive sort. The Merwin's have cherished their independence above every earthly thing. And I don't care to become too widely acquainted. Some of the boarders might find out my real name, which would be embarrassing, to saythe least." "Why, Stella Merwin!" exclaimed the little woman in astonishment, "you're surely not going to work permanently under Miss Smith's name?" "I certainly mean to borrow the 'Smith' part of it, Mrs. Paxton, from her or some other one ofthat family—that is,if you'll keep my secret." "But why,Stella?It was all well enough as a joke, or for a day or two, when your name was a matter of no particular consequence. But to go to work permanently on a salary, 100 under an assumed name, looks like masquerading. But of course if you wish it"— "Dear Mrs. Paxton! I wouldn't for the world do anything you disapproved of, and I shall have to explain why I prefer to use some other name than my own, at least in the beginning , while I'm at work for Mr.Truscott.When a young man, Mr. Truscott was in my father's employment, and when my father died Mr. Truscott took charge of my father's affairs, which were in some confusion. My mother and he quarrelled about the estate, and arenot on good terms. PersonallyIwould be nothing to Mr. Truscott, and he is nothing to me. Mama does not object to my entering his employment; in fact, there are reasons why she would like me to work there for a while. My name can be of no possible concern to Mr. Truscott. He wishes to buy my services, at the market price, and I'm willing to dispose of them on the same terms. I don't wish the situation to be complicated byanyintrusion of matters personal, or old animosities. Soif you'll keep my secret, I'll retain my business name for the present. If I only work for Mr. Truscott during the summer,he need neverknow anymore about me than he learns during that period. If I'm any judge of character, the names or other private affairs of his clerks are matters of supreme indifference to him. I'm really surprised that he doesn't number them...