The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-08
And then she tripped around to the

I" A nice place to go, my DEAR" said
she. "Once let yourself be seen at one
of Mrs. Benedict's parties, and your
position in society is settled at once.
have cards myself but, of course, so
soon after my poor brothers. death I
eould'nt go out. And you're to go in
lilac moire antique, eh, my dearP I'll
tell you what want you to look nice,
and I'll lend you my diamonds !"
Lottie's cheeks flushed exultantly as
she thought of Mrs. Parkerson's dia-
mond necklace, with its glittering pend
ant, and the bracelets studded with
gems, to say nothing of the great soli-
tsires, like drops of dew that hung from
her ear-riDgs.
"Oh, Mrs, Parkerson p she ex-
claimed breathlessly, chow can ever
thank YOU"
Look as pretty as you can. my
dear, said Mrs. Parkerson, good ma
turedly. " That's the way to thank
me T'
Miss Mousley, the dressmaker, and
Mrs. Mellen were in deep consultation
as to whether the front of the dress
| should be cut a Ia Pompadour, or with
oorsage, the next day, when the latter
was summoned down stairs. There
stood Mr.. Pepper, the painter, in the
hall.
Begging your pardon, ma'am, for
interrupting you," said he, humbly
doffiing his cap; Z" but Mr.. Mellen told
me you would let me have the money
on my little accountr'
Lottie crimsoned.
"I am very sorry, Mr.. Pepper" said
she, nervously but you must call
again next month !"
"Mr. Mellen said you'd pay me with
out delay, ma'am."
81 can't help what Mr.. Mellen said, -
exclaimed Lottie. "I haven't the
money. That's enough l''
"But ma'am, 1 was assured should
have it without any mistake. 1 need it
ma'am, to send my sick wife out west
to her mothers. and"
sc have no time to stand here talking
any longer" said Lottie, mortified,
ashamed, yet still endeavoring to pur-
suade herself that the man had
no business to be so persistent. "I
will let you have the sum as soon as
possible. In the meantime you must
wait !''
Pepper went away with a sad face,
which haunted Mrs. Mellen for many a
day, and Lottie returned to the dress
making operations.
The lilac moire antique was made and
fitted superbly. Sister Helen, who had a
rich husband, lent the point lace founces
and scarf and Mrs. Parkerson's man.
servant brought around the satin casket
of diamonds early in the afternoon !;
and Lottie Mellen went to Mrs. Bene-
diets ball, in the same carriage with her
sister aud sisters husband.
For once, 1 am equal to any mil
lionaire's wife on the avenue" thought
Lottie, with a thrill of triumph at her
| heart.
Her entrance made a sensation. She
was quite aware of that as she swept
through the brilliantly lighted rooms;
and itwasno small wonder, for she was as
beautiful as a vision, with her golden
hair, deep blue eyes and queenly height,
while the lilac moire antique and dia-
monds set hez off rarely.
Mr.. BentIy Benedict leveled his eye
glass at her, as she passed On, after the
usual presentation to her host and hos
! tess.
$50 that is the wife of your conf
Dental clerk, eh, Joe?" said he to his
brother. GA silk gown for a royal
princess, point lace that couldn't have
cost less than one hundred dollars a
yard, and diamonds that blaze like
comets I don't exactly fancy that
sort of a confidential clerk myself LIE!
me see-how much did you tell me you
paid him? Fourteen hundred year %
Mr.. Joe Benedict looked uneasiiy at
the brilliant vision.
CT can't account for it." said he
slowly. "I always supposed Mellen to
|
must say 1 don't like the looks of this.
I'm afraid we have trusted him too far,
although the accounts seem straight
enough. I'll look into them tomorrow. 8"
He did look into them.
$50 far they are right" he said to
himself. "But It's better to be on the
safe side. A clerk whose wife dresses
like a duchess can't be altogether
straight. I'll discharge him p
So Clarence Mellen lost his situation,
at the beginning of the winter, with
hard times looking him gravely in the
| face.
Mr.. Benedict told him frankly Why.
"I saw your wife at my brother
Bentley's ball." said he, "dressed in
moire antique, costly lace AMI diamonds.
bring no acquisition-I have 10 com
plaint to make-only, in th, Sc days of
embezzlement, forgery and defalcation,
one has to look out for himself. And
straws show which way the wind
] blows.
When Mr.. Mellen went home he
found lawyers clerk in the hail, with
letter from poor Pepper.
"He wrote
"My wife is dead. God knows
whether it is your fault or not. Had
you paid the money you owed, might
have sent her west, to her native air.
It would at least have been chance of
life for her, But she is gone now, and
I have only to say that if the bill is not
settled at once, I shall resort to the ex-
| tremest measures"
This was the first Mr.. Mellen knew
that the fifty dollar bill had not been
applied to it's rightful destination.
81 hope you are contented now, Lot
tie, he said, as he went up stairs to the
room where his wife lay sobbing on the
sofa. You have ruined me !"
And Lottie knew at last how dear a
price she had paid for her one night of
/ A-.-....I - Ne Rapa1fok's I,olI