The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-14
EBENsBURG, PA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY a

Fiorain, said his mother; ss.you cannot
want it tonight"
"Brt | do want it, it happens" said
Fiorain coolly.
on are just going to fritter It away
IN some OF those gambling places, to drink
yourself stupid again." fretted Mrs. Rich.
Ter "lt's too bad, getting my money
away from rae just to indulge in those
horrld habits Why don't ycu earn
money tor yourself 7"
Easy, mamma, easy" said the 6ut:ful
son, iazily dragging himself to sitting
posture. "Don't lose your temper, for il
isnss worth while. This ten-dollar bill is
gong TO make my fortune. 1t shall take
the lovely Laura to the opera tonight
tsNonsense this fine scheme will fash
IN the pan like all the rest of your castles
In the air. She Woh't have you" "-
ooh, yes, she will, my incredulous
mamma wait and sec. shall bring her
to the point pretty soon. Then III pay
you back the money, with interest, out OF
my lady's bag of sinners"
"Aud will you leave off your gambling
habits! O, FiOrsin, they will be the ruin
OF you yet -
Perhaps yes, perhaps nc" returned
the young man, :nsolently. "That will
be very much as / please"
Both mother and son had entirely for.
gotten the presence OF the young girl, who
was Standing In the dusky shadows near
the door, until this moment, when Mrs.
Riehiey, turning sharply round, saw her
"What are you waiting for ?" she
asked, GROSSLY. 81 have already told you
that II was not conveaiens to pay you the
money to-nighs--why don't you go about
your business?'
Her cheeks were flushed even benesEf
their artificial bloom OF rouge, and her
chill gray eyes sparkled with anger.
Laura Avery composedly advanced for
ward. She took one Cf the wax tapers
from its china shelf and lighted the gas
with steady hand.
81 am sorry that you cannot pay your
just debts, madam" then said she, quiet
Iy, looking the amazed mother and son
full in the face. "But am not sorry for
any occurrence that has had the effect of
opening my eyes TO the true character of
Mr. Florain Richley. will take the ten
dollars, sir,"-tbis to the son--"to my
sick friend, as you will find it entirely
unnecessary to go 10 the expense of taxing
Laura Avery to the opera tonight"
Elorais's handsome cheek had grown
pale, and his knees 9uivered aeueath him
as he mechanically took the bill from his
pocket-book and placed it in the hand of
the Imperative beauty, while Mrs Rich
ley sank back aghast into the cushioned
armchair.
Florain made one desperate effort to
retrieve his lost fortune, even in the mo-
ment of sure defeat and discontinue.
81 am sorry-awkwar1 mistake-hope
You will afford me an, explanations" be
stammereds.
"No explanation is required, sir % was
Laura's cold reply, as she withdrew from
the apartment, naughty and unapproach-
able as a statue Of ice.
She hurried homeward through the
twilight streets, With burning cheek and
when once more she entered Miss Way
nails room, lighted only by the faint
glow Of a coal fire.
''Back so soon, Laura?" asked Ellen,
somewhat surprised.
"Here is the money, Nellie, and the
wine," she said, thankful that the dim
light could not betray her tell-tale fea-
lures, "and now you must get we'll as fast
as you can"
30, Laura, [ am so much Obliged to
you," said Ellen earnestly.
Laura stopped to kiss her friends pale
cheek, inwardly refecting how much she
owed Ellen's indisposition.
But she never tcld Ellen of the diseov-
er't she had unHittingly made while full
filing the gentle mission Of friendship,
aud nc enc ever knew the precise manner
IN which the contemplated match between
Floraia Richley aud Laura Avery was
broken off.