NOT UNSEEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 30, 26 July 1890, Page 19

NOT UNSEEN.

J ESSIE Faxon had a reading ticket to a library near her home, and there she spent many delightful hours. Her mother was one of those wise and careful women who do not allow their daughters to visit public places unattended ; but a library seemed the one spot where a young girl could browse about undisturbed, and it never occurred to her to curtail Jessie’s freedom in that direction.

It happened, one day, that Jessie sat in the alcove with a handsome young man. He picked up her pencil, then he found her a newspaper for which she was looking, and in less than a week they were ‘ acquainted.’ Then for months they had an exceedingly interesting time, -whispering in a retired alcove, and often writing notes. They always talked about books, and Jessie thought the conversation very instructive, but she decided not to tell her mother.

‘ Mamma was so particular !’ Finally it happened that more serious things claimed her attention. Her father died, and it was evident that although her school course was still unfinished, she must do something for the family support. ‘ Don’t worry, dear,’ wrote an old family friend to her mother. ‘I am sure Jessie can get a situation at the P—- — Library. They need another attendant, and the librarian is one of my oldest friends. I enclose a letter to him. ’ This was charming, and Jessie lost no time in taking her letter and seeking out the librarian, whom she found in his office at the top of the building. ‘ And are you the young lady ?’ he asked looking at her keenly as he finished the letter. ‘Yes, sir,’ answered Jessie, her heart a-flutter. ‘ 1 am sorry to say we could not consider you at all.’ ‘ But I thought there was a vacancy !’ cried she, too disappointed to keep silence. ‘ There is, but we could not consider you. My dear young lady, perhaps I ought to tell you why. For several months you have been noticed by the attendants as a visitor who used the library as a place for meeting a young man. Complaint was made to me, and I had thought of speaking to you, but as you were quiet, and did not annoy others, I refrained. But those things cannot be carried on unseen. They are always noticed, and they make a woman unfit for a place of trust. Good-morning.’ Jessie crept out with bowed head and scarlet cheeks. Had her stolen acquaintance been worth this ? She thought not.