The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-11-25
A ROMANCE OF HARD WORK,

sane.
AS Amabel spoke her vocie had sharp
ring of pain as well as anger. She was
very proud Of her brother-proud of his
handsome face, proud of his talents-and as
she considered he was about to degrade
himself socially if not morally, by the stand
he had announced himself to have taken.
Seeing her passionate outcry had not moved
him, she said. pleadingly:
Have you no pride left? You who had all
the old Thurston pride once?'
i have just so much pride left, Amabel,
he answered that cannot sit here eating
the bread of idleness another day
You know you are more than welcome
here
4 do know it. appreciate your hus-
band's kindness at its full value. Amabel.
hope the day will come when l can prove it.
And Sis, ! am only too thankful that you
have his true love and strong arm now,
when we have lost SO much. Now, darling,
don't try to hold me back from honest en-
ployment'
But, Raymond, you can surely obtain
some gentlemanly position?'
i have been trying faithfully for six
months, you know with what success.
There, don't look at me SO pitifnlly, it will
come right one OF Cnese days.
1 wonder what Bertha Haines will saw
when she sees you perched upon the drivers
seat of an express cart
For the first time the forced composure of
Raymond's face was stirred. A dark red
flush crept to his very hair and he rose
and walked up and down the room. Glad
to have him moved at last she said:
with her arstocratic ideas and the pride
that is Unborn in her family, she will never
recognize you again, Raymond
Then must lose the honor of her friend
ship, Raymond said hoarsely. Don't saw
any more, Amabel.' And unable to bear
any further remonstrance he left the room,
and little later the house.
The Thurston pride of which Amabel had
spoken was singing him sorely, in spite of
the brave face he carried to cover it. He
was a man of IS, and his life had held only
the pleasures of wealth, the opportunities
money gives for the development of intel
lect for twenty -seven Of these years. His
parents died when he was n boy, and ANA
bel, his only sister, Is years his senior
married before she was 20, ami gave her
brother home. whenever he was not trav-
cling or i'll some seminary or colenge
While he considered hims If rich man,
Raymond had accepted this hospitality as
freely as it was offered, and Amabers Jewel
ease, her husband library, and her child
ren's play room bore witness of her broth
ers generosity. But suddenly, without
warning, there swept over the country one
of the financial crashes 80 overwhelming in
this land of speculation. and Raymond was
recalled from Europe by his bro,her-i in law,
informing him that his entire patrimony
had been swept away. Investments that
had seemed to the young man, ignorant in
all business details, as secure as they were
tlattering, had fallen to ruin, and q few
hundred dollars only were left Of what had
been noble fortune.
A, first Raymond did not realize the ex-
tent of his misfortune. lie was still
young, well educated, in perfect health, and
certainly the world had some niche where
he could earn an honest living. But week.
OF seeking tor employing gave him q keen
err knowledge of his misfortune. Friend.
: who had been willing to smoke his cigars
and drink his wines, who were yet willing
to extend every social greeting, shook theil
h,ads when asked to confde any portion o
their business into his keeping.
Brought up to study, TO live life of ele
: CANT leisure, Raymond Thurston at Is knew
Z
studied any one branch sufficiently to quail
r ify himself for = teacher. He tried faith
fully to find some employment, spending
what little remained of his fortune with tn,
r lavish hand that had not yet learned econo
$ my.
f Society welcomed him home after TIVE
: years of wandering, for Amabel Barclay
/ kept open house for her friends and Ray
mond was q favorite in her circle He,
e husband. many years older than herself
, had long retired from business with . large
A income. and while he gave Raymond cordia
welcome, he had no opportunity to aid il
finding occupation. =
And Bertha Haines, the friend from
whom Raymond had parted two years be-
, fore, in this renewed intercourse became t
$ him more than ever was friend before
A They had not thought Of love in the days
when the girl was Q debut ante in society
5 and Raymond one of its favorite beaux; bu
$ when they met, after the long parting. som,
G new emotion stirred both hearts. They die
not know what made the hours pass 81
: quickly when they were together, nor re
q cognize the subtle charm that dwelt fol
each in the others presence, for many
: week
Raymond was the first to awake to ths
knowledge that love was the charm tha
$ bound him to Bertha's side whenever sh.
was present; that it Was love that made hel
! eyes, the dark. sparkling eyes, so beautiful
in Their expression; that love tuned he,
0 voice so musically; that love made her the
e dearest of all women in his eyes.
, Amahel was delighted. Bertha was ons
I of her own fast friends, and Bertha's faith
! Ter . merchant Of standing and influence
e Aside from this the girl had inherited mon
!, ley from her mother. Altogether. Amabe
! decided the match would be charming
e But hint to that effect met one of RAY
1 mond's sternest frowns, such as had neye,
e visited his face in the old sunshiny DAYS.
$ Never speak Of it again. Amaber' b,
. said. i am NO fortune hunter to live upos
e the money Of rich wife. III carve on
e my own way first
pl But carving his own way proved tediou.
q work ill., desperate y his many failures, b