The daily gazette., 1875-06-25

10 very nicc, Ellen, very nice, indeed, ;
J. quoth the spinster, taking her appoin
ted chair. Gift was only all paid for !
she thought, cycling the dainties witt
serious face. But there-I know
what can do to help her, for once in
way, if she is in a fix"
And Miss Roxy ate and drank an6
praised the viands till the hospitable
heart of the fair widow glowed within
her with delight.
!, 1T IS so pleasant to have selpe nice
little thing like this. and then share IL
with friend," said she, as they left
the tea table II often wish / was
rich, Cousin aoxy-I should so like to
entertain people all the time, and get
nice meals ready for them to eat"
Cousin Roxy was silent. She was
wondering howwithout seeming ungra.
cious after the welcome and the treat
meat she had received, she could intro.
duce the subject that was lying heavy
at her heart. Just then the gate latch
clicked. Mrs. Gray looked out of the
window.
why, here is Mr.. Richards from
the store" exclaimed Mrs. Grav.-
Surely he is not bringing that flour
all the way by himself. But I don't
Roxy ?' ~
Miss Sanderson shook her head.
'It is coming upon her now without
one moments warning. Pm glad am
here, for Ellen is no more fit to meet
trouble than baby six months old
would be-"
GOOD evening, Mrs. GRAY" said the
voice at the door, where the widow
was now standing. "Mr, Morton re-
quested me to hand you this bill, and
TO say that as the account had been
running long time, he would feel
greatly obliged if you could settle at
once. He has heavy bills of his own
10 meet next week, Or he would not
trouble you"
"'oh, it is no trouble at all, Mr., Rich
ards" said Mrs. Gray, fiushinp n little
as she took the paper. "If Won will
walk il, l have some mouey in the
house, and will pay it now.i'
Sne sshered the middle aged ba che
iol lwho seemed strangely agitated and
nerVo9sl into the sitting room and
opened the folded paper to glance at
the amount.
.,, Twenty dollars" " said she quickly.
WHA b Cb tiiC Dll i 1OE TOu,'
she bad just that amount in her
POCKET book. 1t was all that she had
to depend upon till the next payment
OF her pension, and the three months
must elapse before the remittance
would arrive. s''"'0
1et she would not seem to hesitate
since Tue merchant had asked for his
money he should have it at any incon.
venience to herself She turned TO
leave the room.
- beg pardon, Mrs. Grayp'
Mr.. Richards, turning yery
M ,eu; ~ think you read the figures
wrongly at the loot of the column. 1t
two hundred. 'o'
Two hundred dollars
one glanced ut tho sum total again.
she bright color fading from her cheeks
ana leaving an awful grayness and pal
lor in its stead,
les, mere We're the horrible llgures
staring her in tle face
Two hundred dollarst had She been
mad! Every penny OF her pension
aioheF aiSF must pe taken to satisfy this
claim And Mr.. Morton wanted bis
money al onCe-this very evening ,poY.
aaps--aho 1t was out of her power to
give IL TO Inn lorthree long months to
;ome. " nat would they do TO hor?
Put her in Jail: - ''e'
i have not so much money as that
u ~ 'he mouse, she began, looking upat
me clerk with Will and harassed
glance. 10 ''''''u
And then the ringing in her cars and
co., .oo oe@r.ns at hef heart increased, the
pom turned black before her ewes, and
ne next thing she was conscious Of
nas nos that she was supported in Mr..
nlehards' arms, with his anxious face
1o,oklng down helpessly at her, while
yoasin Roxy scolding vigorously, was
'Prink!lng her temples with camphor.
'ne directing him to lay her on the
'o1a as carefully as he could.
ana then go; don't let her see YOU
y Tnen sne comes clear to" she heard
ne splnster say. "And JOHN Richards
10 you Keep still tongue about this
BUSINESS, II you have the heart of q
"lll never breathe word" an ear.
lest voice replied. ''But NAV I cali
ater a IN the evening, just to ask if She
Come at nine, and I'll speak to YOU
hrough the door," said Roxy in
"And as for your bin, ri
&c that il is all right.
ut isn't the bill-it's her." replied
he agitated voice.
And then the doof closed, and Con
IN roxy took the slender little figure
'p III her arms and went back INTO the
'9sJ !1t'le Kitchen, where, lathe fami,
iar glow and comfort OF The fire, the
catered senses of the widow soon
,ame back.
"oh, Roxy, what shall | do!u eaid
he weeping, after she dad related to
ler t4e story of the bill. 81 had no
uea owed much over twenty dollars
mere, Two hundred just fancy!
III, how could | have been so foolish
s TO get things charged! Ii once get
ut OF the scrape, I'll never buy anoth-
/ thing In my life unless have the
aoney in my hand to pay for it.''