True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-06-04

RaymOnd's tones were cold and severe
for the first time. bul his wife would have
forgotten them, had she guessed the an
guish that lay at his heart.
AS it was her face flushed with anger.
Really she answered, Il was not, until
this morning, aware | was responsible to
you, Mr.. Raymond, for the subjects |
might choose 10 select for conversation
with my acquaintances. Once for all,
what is the reason you refuse me this
party
i do not refuse it, Elsie, | only ask
you to delay it,
And must and wiU have it next week,
or never. l cannot see why you wish
me to postpone it, unless it be because
you know the delay will greatly annoy
me-
The young mans pale face flushed with
The pain her words had occasinned him.
'Elsle,' and his voice was quieter, and
sterner than before, you cannot move
me by these accusations, because you
know as well as do |, there is no truth
in them. | have some heavy payments
to meet this week, and that alone was
the reason ofmy requesting you to defer
this matter. All | have to say is, you
will be quite as likely TO accomplish your
wishes by presenting them in less die
tatorial manner
1t was very unfortunate for Mr.. Ray
mond that he added to his explanation
that last remark for now that he had as
signed a motive for the delay, his wle's
hearl had begun to soften toward him,
but that last speech hardened it again.
i don't believe a word of what you're
saying, Alden Raymond she answered,
pushing back her chair, and bursting into
flood of passionate tears. IF the mon
ey had made any difference, you'd have
told me before this late day; and it's
only because YOU want TO mortify me
now before the world, that you're so stn-
gy this morning. l wish | was back
again in my old home, with grandma, and
dear old Daisy, who would never have
spoken to me the harsh, cruel words that
you have just done. Iwish I aOas back
there again, and that Ihad neUer left Il
for, and that I had neUer seen yOu, AL
den Raymond"
And springng from her seat, the lady
burst out of the room, and her husband
made no effort 10 detain her. He only
leaned his head on his hand, and groaned
deeply. Ii was the last drop in his cup
of bitterness.
An hour later the young merchant was
walking up and down his counting room,
with restless step, and haggard face.
There had come q sudden revolution in
the mercantile world, and his house was
one of the first to feel it. There is nc
chance to sail clear of this, that | see,
murmured the young man, as he struck
his forehead. "A few weeks, and we
m ust all sink. l shall be ruined man,
and Elsie his face worked fear(uly a
moment, and then he resumed, There is
no way to raise the money, unless he
stared anxiously all about him, as though
he feared The terrible secret which lay be.
hind that unless might have revealed it's
elf, though it had never crossed his lips
and for the first time in his life, his face
wore look of co,Oardice and guilt.
Yes; ] could get it so,' he said, lean
ing his head ON his hands; 'and If our
affairs should happen to take favorable
turn, could repay the note before any.
body was the wiser; if not and his voice
grew hoarse, the river or a pistol shot
could settle 1t aU.'
'Esie's little property's all swallowed
up, too. God knows meant to secure
it TO her, but there was no help forit, and
were she TO know this she'd hate me
worse than ever, and maybe | can win
back one of the old ove.smiles to her lips
if he did not finish the sentence.
Elsie, you can give out the invitations
Tor your party next week. There is the
money which will defray the expenses,
and Mr.. Raymond placed note for q
thousand dollars in the lap of his wife.
Ii was dinner time, and Elsie had hat
all the morning to reflect on her conduc
at breakfast, and bitterly had the young
wife reproached herself for the unkint
words she had spoken. But her will wa:
unsubdued still, and when the footsteps