Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-11-22

quiet dignity. 'ilhA@ srle VIVA
I" O-ah-yes; well, I s'pose you'd best
walk in" -u .,,.r t.,r
The servant conducted her up stairs to
a sort of sitting room or boudoir, where
Mrs, Riehley. apOrtly, dame Of about fifty,
gOrgeously dressed in crimson silk, was sit
ting in her easy chaip iiQ front ofa glowing
fire. Laura was giawatdlv grateful that
the gas had not been lighted, lpartie ularlyl
when she observed, Mr., Florian, yRichley
was lounging on velvet sofa in one of the
recesses. Mrs Richley looked up as the
servant ushered in the lnew@ c0merIa1 sinf
''Well, young woman, what do you
want?"
Laura's check tinged at the tone of
coarse einsolencein which she was address
ed, but she commanded herself to reply
meekly: 'a.,-ci ..... ,.',....'.'''. bes,G.
"IGave broughthomecyour dress, u1frs,
Richley.n ..... Iosil EN .,.--..,.,-.- pradi
eWhere is Miss Iyaynall % ,9s,sis' ,,';.
tSl.S Is ILL.," ar-bfW ti7,l.
very well lay downsthe dress; 1t Is all
right" "''''...',. 49, -'.''--- . ,.llu1
But Laura stood her ground valiantly. |. -, 9
''Miss Waynall would like the money
tonight, madam--seven dollars on the old
account and three for this dress.n 8ie. ,l.I. 'mg
1T is not convenient Tonight" ,.lir
''But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Waynall is ill
and needs the money" persisted Laura. 20
petulantly, addressing the young man in
the Turkish dressing gown and elaborately
arranged hair, " | told you just how IL
would be-" az.
"What the deuce is the matter now n
snappishly asked Florian, for the first time
condescending to eVince any interest in
what was going on. &c ....... .....1.. ~.
"Why, these impertinent dress-making
people are always clanloring for money,
just when you have drained me Of my last
cent? .,....... -..t4 a............. fagl''.
"Let'em clamor, then, that's my advice,'
said Florian, without taking the trouble tt
move his head. u .......'..,.'..i i-...s
"Just give me back that ten dollar bill
Florian,n urged his mother. "YOu can't
want it tonight" ..C,,g.
"But do want it, it happens" sale
Florian. coolly.p .,.... .... ss5'sd d..f 1901
"You are agoing to .fritter it away il
some of those gambling houses to drink
yourself stupid again." fretted Mrs. Rich
ley. SITS too bad getting my money
away from me just to indulge in those
horrible habits. Why don't you earn
money for yourself?" Ia. ..-..
easy ma, easy" said the dutiful son
lazily dragging himself TO a sitting pos
ture. "Don't lose your temper, for it isn't
worth while. This ten dollar bill is going
to help make my fortune. 1t shall take the
lovely Laura to the opera tonight"
"Nonsense; this fine scheme will flash ir
the pan just like all the rest of your castles
in the air. She won't have YOU" I.....
"Oh, yes, she will my incredulous mann.
ma, wait and see. shall bring her to thu
point pretty soon. Then I'll pay you bach
the money with interest out of my lady,
bag of shiners.'le ........ ..,.,.a .... n
''And win you leave off your gambling
habits? Oh! Florain, they will be the
ruin of you yet" -4.h
"Perhaps, perhaps not" returned thI
| young man, insolently. "That will be very
much as please.n L n r-IgL
Both the mother and her son had entirely
| forgotten the presence of the young cir
who was standing in the dusky shadow
near the door, until this moment, when Mrs
Richley, turning sharply around, saw her
"What are you waiting for?" she, asked
irritably. 81 have already told you that i
wasnot convenient to pay the money to
night--why don't you 60 aboutyou busi-
ness" ........,,..s = f.-.... ..
Her cheeks were flushed even beneath
their artificial bloom of rouge, and he
chill gray eyes sparkled with rising anger
as Laura Avery composedly advanced for
ward. She took one of the wax taper
from the china shell and lighted the ga
with steady hand, whose flash of ricf
rings filled Mrs. Richley with astonish'
ment. -iroooati1a s;I .f --., -r...t,..,, n
II am sorry that you cannot pay you
Just debts, iiladam,"' said Laura, quietly
looking the amazed mother and son in the
I.hnf ( n for
renee that has had the effect of opening
my eyes to the true character of Mr.. Flo
rian Richley. will take the ten dollars
sir, to my sick friend, as you will find it en-
tirely unnecessary to go to the opera to
night ,..-t..-......- t.r.....--... 49,.
Florian's handsome cheek had grown
pale-his knees quiVered beneath him as h
mechanically took the bill from his pocket
book and placed it in the hand of the i'm
perative beauty, while Mrs. Richley sanl
| back aghast into the cushioned armchair
Florian made one desperate effort to re
treve his lost fortune, even in the momen
of sure defeat and discontinue. ,,,,.5, T.
81 am very sOrry-aWkward mistake
hope you will afford me all explanation,
he stammered.y fD- F.i ~l"i ,d5uus
81 require no explanation, sir" wa
Laura's cold reply, as she withdrew from
the apartment, haughtily and unapproach
able as statue of ice. 5uH tu1tf l9bilr
She hurried arduthrough the twi
light streets, with burning cheek an
beating heart, and it was nearly dark whel
once more she entered Miss WaynalP
room, lighted only by the faint glow off
low fire. .zqy Jgl
| Back so soon, haura?" asked Ellen
n. :. -. -