Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-01-26
ROMANCE OF hard WORK.

are insane"
As Amabel spoke her voice had a
sharp CULVER of pain as well as anger.
She was very proud of her brother
proud of his handsome face, proud of
his talents--and 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 tho old Thurston pride once? 2"
81 have just so much pride left, Am
abel" he answered, .that I cannot sit
here eating the bread OF idleness an
other day."
"You know you are more than well
come here"
st do know it. I appreciate your
husbands kindness at its full value,
Amabel. I 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 SO much. Now, darling, don't try
to hold me back from honest employ
ment."
"But, Raymond, you can surely OBJ
tain some gentlemanly position ?"
II have been trying faithfully for six
months, you know with what success.
There, don't look at me so pitiful, it
will come right one of these days"
st wonder what Bertha Ha1nes will
say when she sees you perched upon
the drivers seat of an express cart.
For the first time the forced compos-
ure of Raymond's face was stirred. A
dark red flush crept to his very hair,
and he arose and walked up and down
the room. Glad to have him moved at
last, his sister said:
"With her aristocratic ideas and the
pride that is Unborn in her family, she
will never recognize you again, Ray
mond"
"Then I must lose the honor of her
friendship" Raymond said hoarsely.
"Don't say any more, Amabel9" 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 il. He was man of %, 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 boy, and Amabel, his
before she was 20, and gave her brother
q home, whenever he was not travelling,
or in some Seminary or College. While
he considered himself rich man, Ray
mond had accepted this hospitality as
freely as it was offered, and AmaOel's
jewel case, her husbands library, and
her children's play-r0om bore witness
of her brothers generosity. But sud
denly, without warning, there swept
over the country one of the devastating
financial crashes SO overwhelming In
this land of speculation, and Raymond
was recalled from Europe by his broth
or in-law, informing MIN that his entire
patrimony had been swept away. In
vestments that had seemed to the young
man, ignorant In all business details, as
secure as they we're fiattering, had fall
en- to ruin, and few hundred dollars
only were left of what had been noble
ortune.
At first Raymond did not realize the
extent of his misfortune. He was still
young, well educated, in perfect health,
end certainly the world had some niche
where he could earn an honest living.
But weeks of seeking for employment
gave him keener knowledge of his
misfortune. Friends who had been
willing to smoke his cigars and drink
his wine, who we're yet willing to extend
every social greeting, shook their heads
when asked to confde any portion OF
their business into his keeping.
Brought up to study, to live life of
elegant leisure, Raymond Thurston at
Is knew absolutely not ing Of business,
nor had he studied any one branch sui
ficiently to qualify himself for a teacher.
BE tried faithfully to find some employ
ment, 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 hcnse for her friends, and
Raymond was favorite in her circle.
Her husband, many years older than
herself, had long retired from business
with large income, and while he gave
Raymond cordial welcome, had no op-
portunity to aid in finding occupation.
And Bertha Haines, the friend from
whom Raymond parted two years be
fore, in this renewed intercourse be-
came to him more than ever was friend
before. They had not thought of love
in the days when the girl was de-
butante in society, and Raymond one Of
its favorite beaux, but when they met
after the long parting. some new
emotion stirred both hearts. They die
not know what made the hours pass sc
quickly when they we're together, mol
recognize the subtle charm that dwell
for each In the others presence, fol
many week.
Raymond was the first to awaken tx
the knowledge that love was the charm
that bound him to Bertha's side. when
ever she was present; that it was love
that made her eyes, tie dark, sparkling
eyes, SO beautiful in their expression
that love tuned her voice 80 musically
that love made her the dearest Of al
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