Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-21
(Contipued from FIRST page.)

thrown Mr.. Rothcly into wet chill ana
he sat up in bed, sure that he never could
tell his circumstances to Mrs. Rotheiy,
and ask her for the help her Jewels couiu
afford.
How many time times had he seen her
hold them up to the candelabra, ere she
mt them on her beautiful head y little
aside. while she fairly revealed in the ai-
fuence of their light and tint How many
times had she come dancing toward him,
and, with her white fingertips upon them
told him it was all nonsense about beauty
unadorned being adorned the most, and,
babe him see for himself that she was
twice as captivating as she was before
she had these things of splendor There
she wasnow, sweety sleeping, in the moon
light that filtered between the curtains
and silvered all the rich room, her long,
dark lashes resting on her rosy cheek, a
smile parting her lips-as she remember
ed, perhaps, some of the fatuities whs-
pered by her last partner at the ball.
He felt glow of resentment taking the
place of the cold chill of the moment be-
fore, and he suddenly said to himselftha he
would have her jewels, and she should
never be the wiser. He could not, he
would NOT, he thought, humiliate himself
before her by craving such favor. What
power he had. what supremacy, he ielt to
be due to his granting favors, not begging
them. He would not yield the position,
he never would place himself in such an
abject light Not while this course was
open; for what was there easier than now.
while she was wrapped away in this soft
nimbus of sleep. to steal across the moon
lighted room, to secure the casket, to lock
the safe, and keep the key-that she might
fancy she had mislaid it'll he could put
the casket back again with every splendid
diamond, with every cool, rich emerald
in it replaced by as skillfully cut crystals
as cunning hands could set there, after
which the key could easily be found again.
The law would take them if he didn't, and
would never give them back again, as he
would.
Easy is the descent. The whole affair
shaped itself in swift drama to his eyes,
to his hand And then it was done. And
if in the morning Mr.. Rothely looked worn
and haggard, it was not because he had not
been muttering in his sleep, when by-and-
by his wife, leaning on her elbow bent over
him to hear the words he said; it was not
because he had not felt that he was on the
mending hand, so far as his business diff
culties were concerned; not indeed, that
hundred thousand dollars ready money
would liquidate tenth part of his obliga-
cations, but that, ON that hydrostatic prln-
ciple of balancing an immense weight
with mere trifle, on which much of the
affairs of Wall street is modelled, he saw
that he would be able to pull through.
1t was busy day for Mr.. Rothely-a
dreadful day in some respects, delightful
one in others, for he raised his money and
he saved his name. Yet no one would
have supposed it had been delightful in
anything who had seen his grave face and
observed his wife fastening to meet him.
He shrank away from her welcome before
he knew what he did, and then could but
think of the toad squatting in Eden and
shrinking from the presence of the visit
ing spirit there for certainly there was an
air OF Eden about this place to him-all
was so soft and bright luxurious warmth
and delicate beauty everywhere; and
wherever his wife was there were flowers
in abundance since Mrs. Rothely was much
like Lady Teazle after all, and never con-
sidered it her fault that flowers were dear
in winter.
"Oh, Mr.. Rothely!' she was eXclaim-
ing. as she hurried down the drawing
room. "What do you think The key is
gone! ] have looked for it everywhere,
and have had the servants up to examine
them, and the room has been swept, and
the furniture moved, and Susette has taken
everything out Of the wardrobe drawers
and shaken it and put it back again, and
yet it can't be found"
"What are you talking about. my dear ?"
said Mr.. Rothely, with well-assumed be-
wilderment. ITO what does it refer?"
Eyes, indeed p she cried, paying no at
tention to what he said. ''Oh, am so
worried about it And am positive
locked the door of the safe and put the key
in the place She had done nothing of
he kind you know.
CONTINUED TOMORROW.