The Osceola times., 1876-02-19
HARD WORK.

Raymond Ihurston, i believe you
are insane."
As Amabel spoke her voice had a sharp
quiver Of pain as well as anger. She
was very proud of her brother-proud
of his handsome face, proud Of his tai
cnts and she considered he was about
to degrade him 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 1hurston pride onceg"
81 have just 80 much pride left, Am
abel, he answered, "that cannot sit
here eating the bread of idlencss another
day."
"You know you are more than welcome
here" Ff
81 do know it. ! appreciate your
husbands kindness at its full value,
Amalel. hope the day will come
when ] can prove it. And, sis, am
only too thankful that you have his true
love and strong arm now, when we have
lost 80 much. Now, darling, don't Try
to hold me back from honest employ
ment."
But, Raymond, you can surely OBJ
tain some gentlemanly position?"
81 have teen trying faithfully for six
months, you know with what success.
There, don't look at me 40 pitiiill, ii will
come right one Of these days"
" i wonder what Bertha Haines will
say when she sees you perched upon the
drivers seat Of an express cart"
For the first time the forced compo.
sure of Raymond's face was stirred. A
dark red flush crcpt TO his very hair, and
he arose and walked up and down tho
room. Glad 10 have him moved at last,
his sister said:
with her aristocratic ideas and the
pride that is inborn in her family, she
VIII never recognize you again, Ray
/" Then ] must lose the honor of her
friendship" Raymond said hoarsely.
Z" Don't say any more, Amabel!" And
unable to hear any further remonstrance
he left the room, and a little later the
house.
The Thurston pride of which Amabel
had spoken was stinging him sorely, in
spite OF the brave face he carried to
cover it. He was man of twenty-eight,
and his life had held only the pleasures
OF wealth, the opportunities money gives
for the development of intellect, for
twenty.seven years. His parents died
when he was a boy, and Amabel, his
only sister, fifteen years his senior, mar
ried before she was twenty, and gave her
brother home, whenever he was not
travelling, or in some seminary or college.
While he considered himself a rich man,
Raymond had accepted this hosritality
rs freely rs il was offered. and Amabefs
jewel case, her husbands library, and
her children's play-room bore witness of
her brothers generosity. But suddenly,
without warning, there swept over the
country one Of the devastating financial
crashes 80 overwhelming in This land of
SPECULATION, and Raymond was recalled
from Europe by his brother-in-law, in
forming him that his entire patrimony
had been swept away. Investments that
had seemed TO the young man, ig-
norant in all details, as secure as they
were hattering, had fallen to ruin, and a
few hundred dollars only were left of
what had been noble fortune.
At first Raymond did not realize the
extent 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 weeks of seeking for employment
gave him a keener knowledge OF his mis-
fortune. Friends who had been willing
to smoke his cigars and drink his wine,
who were yet willing TO extend every
social greeting, shook their heads when
asked to confide any portion of their
business into his keeping.
Brought up to study, to live life of
elegant leisure, Raymond Thurston at
twenty eight knew absolutely nothing of
business, nor had he studied any one
branch sufficiently to qualify himself for
a teacher. He tried faithfully TO find
some employment, spending what little
remained of his fortune with the lavish
hand that had not yet learned of economy.
Society welcomed him home after two
years of wandering, for Amabel Barclay
kept open house for her friends, and
Raymond was favorite in her circle.
Her husband, many years older than her
sell, had long retired from business with
large income, and while he gave Ray
mond cordial welcome, had no oppor-
tunity to aid in finding occupation.
And Bertha Haines. the friend from
whom Raymond parted two years before,
in this renewed intercourse became to
him more than ever was friend before.
They had not thought of love in the DAYS
when the girl was debutaute in society
and Raymond one Of its favorite beaux
but when they met, after the long part
ing, some new emotion stirred botl
hearts. They did not know what mad,
the hours pass so quickly when they wer,
together, nor recognize the subtle charm
that dwelt for each in the Others pres
ence, for many a week.
Raymond was the first to awaken I,
the knowledge that love was the charm
that bound him TO Bertha's side, when
ever she was present; that il was Low,
that made her eyes, the dark, sparkling
eyes, No beautiful in their expression
that love tuned her voice 50 musically
that love made her the dearest of al
women in his eyes.
Amabel was delighted. Bertha wa
one of her own fas. friends, and Bertha
father merchant of standing and in
nuencc. Aside from this the girl ha,
inherited money from her mother. Al
together, Amabel decided the mattel
would be charming. But hint TO tha
effect met one of Raymond's sterncs
frowns, such as had never visited his fac
in the old amusing days.
Never speak of it again, Amabel,