The Placer herald., 1871-09-16
Mr.. De BKUWNE'S EXpEK;NEAT.
BY CELIA MANDRCI,

The subject Of his cogitations was wife, OF
rather how to get one. There were enough
young ladies who would be glad to bless
their lucky stars Cor lie privilege Of becom-
ing mistress Of his home, as he well knew
out he also felt .olerably well assured that
The home was all they cared for. Fer the
fortune they would we'd its owner.
''Dcuce take the money!! he exclaimed
II wish I'd never had far'hing, and hen--
But bo,hera,on, then should have been toe
poor TO marry anyway. Why couldn't |
have had Just wealth enough for all NY
wants, and nothing mere? I'll foil them
though, the mean adyenturesses
A furious pull at The beI-ropc brought The
housekeeper TO the room in a hurry.
"pack up your traps. Mrs. Rmklc," he
exclaimed abruptly, "for am going to
close the house"
1t was evident that he had come to some
conclusion.
"Shut up the house, Mr.. De Browncr'
sjaculated the housekeeper, almost believing
hat she had lost her reason. "Why, such a
hing has not taken place since your lamentcd
nnce took possession five and twenty years
ego.'
"Thqt makes no difference, madam; am
master here now, and sh II close it for h,
present. Meanwhile your pay can still e
On, and Of such domcstics az You cons:de,
indispensable. Have you no relatives YOU
wish TO visit?" lie made inquiry.
That settled it. The proiIet of continued
pay removed Mrs. Kinklc's 7crupies quite
4fectualiy. She then remembered she had
some friends shc had not seen for years.
Three days later Mr.. IIcrbcr. De Browne
was safely donicled ina quiet lodging house.
md shortly afterwards he began to sell his
dianond-rings and seals, and other para
phernalia Of fashionable life, as well as dress
hinseif in palmer clothes. \ rUmor that
his property had been lost through an un-
lucky speculation was soon afloat.
He lost friends rapidly. BY twos and
hrecs they ceased 10 know him when The,
met him in the street. II only laughed and
snapped lis fingers at them behind ther
backs
Had this adversely been real, he would
not have !c.t like laughing.
Then came the time when this circle o!
4cquainlances was narrowed down to three.
Bur three of his former friends still clung to
him, true in advcr-ity.
1t was no wonder that le grew riisan-
;hropic.
Out in tle street one day he met a car
riagc containing some Of his former acquanf-
.nccs, Who had been absent from the cit
since lie had closed his housc. lie thought
;hcy would rot notice him, but each inmate
of lie carriage bowed politely as Of cid.
"Ihey have not heard the ncws!" he
mutorei cynical.y.
lie WAS mistaken. That night the owne'
OF the carriage came to see him.
"Rati!er ciosc quar'ers, my good friend. :.
he said, as he took close survey OF Her
uevt s not very prctcntlons surroundings
''Prctty close, that's fact, ;" said Mr. Dt
Browne, ''but since lost my properiy-oi
~ Inch, suppose you haven't heard-l have
become very economical"
but have heard" cried his auditor ab-
rup!iy; "and this is why came; | knew
you needed friends now, if ever, and the facl
ls-we!i--my daue eh!er-l mean, l came to
offer you tie position Of head clerk in NJ.
,ountns-louse. VIII YOU accept it?'
"la.heml We'll, III ihink of it. But it,,
| long way fron NY lodgings.
deuce take your lodgings. You car
board in my family as awell, as a sort o.
guest, you KNOW
Herbert looked him over closely. join.
Brandard was Il wealthy man-very wealthy
lie was called and in his face there was
noihng to warrant the suspicion that he had
learned 1lerbert's secret, and wished to curry
favor, aiding him while under an apparent
cloud; so that idea was speedily dismissed.
OF course he quickly thanked him and ac-
cepted.
Once costly snuggled in the Brandard nan
sion, it was not long before he wondered why
he had not noticed Susie Brandard Leiore
She did not seem to feel above him, not
w.hstandirg the wide difference in THEN
positions, and demeaned herself toward him
as cordially-norc cordially, he thought
than before the change in lis fortunes.
He would not have been human had he
not learned to love her.
The climax came when she gave a grand
party. Then, before the elite of the city,
she did not hesitate to receive attentions
from him, on which but one construction
could be placed. lie thought her quite q
heroine, and asked for no further proof that
she could love him.
The next afternoon they met in her father :
library, where he had waited to see her.
"Snse, he said, as soon as the usual
courtesies had been exchanged, 81 come 10
you this morning to learn my fate. know
.he difference in our positions, and would not
urge you-only let your heart decide. My
heart | lay before you.
She bushed pre,tIy, and seemed confused
for moment; then she gave him her hand
81 have loved you. oh, SO long!' she said j,
"and feared that you would neyor love me-.
You were SO jealous before you lost your
wealth that you thought all women were
mere adventpresses, ] was heartily glad
when pana said yos had lost it, apa l=+" :.