American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-25


soon after my poor brothers death l
couldn't GO out. And you're to go in
lilac moire-antique, Ell, my dear? III
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 glistening pend
ant, and the bracelets studded with
gems, to say nothing of the great soli-
taires, like drops of dew, that hung
from her earrings.
go Mrs. Parkerson!" she exclaimed,
you'll"
"Look as pretty as you can, my
DEAR said Mrs. Parkerson, good ma
turedly; " that's the way to thank mel"
"Begging your pardon, ma'am, for
interrupting you," said Mr.. Pepper, the
next morning, humbly doffing his cap !;
90 but Mr.. Mellen told me you would let
me have the money on my little ac-
count"
Lottie crimsoned.
"I am very sorry, Mr.. Pepper" said
she nervously; "but you must call next
MONTH"
"Mr. Mellen said you'd pay me with
out delay, ma'am."
81 can't help what Mr.. Mellen said, -"
exclaimed Lottie. 81 haven't the
money. That's enough" II
"But, ma am, was assured should
have it without any mistake. I need it,
ma'am, to send my sick wife out to her
mothers, and"
al have no time to stand here talking
any longer" said Lottie, mortified,
ashamed, yet still trying to persuade
herself that the man had no business to
be persistent. 81 will let you have the
sum as soon as possible. In the mean
time, 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.
Mr.. Bentley Benedict leveled his eye
glasses at her as she passed on, after
the usual presentation to her host and
hostess.
$50 that is the wife of your confiden-
tial clerk, Ell, Joe ?" said he to his broth
er. ga silk gown for q Royal Princess,
point-lace that couldn't have cost less
than hundred dollars a yard, and dia-
monds that blaze like comets! / don't
exactly fancy that sort of a confidential
clerk myself Let me see-how much
did you tell me you paid himp Fourteen
hundred a year?'
Mr.. Joe Benedict looked uneasily at
the brilliant vision.
al can't account for it," said he,
slowly. 81 always supposed Mellen to
be a reliable sort of a fellow, but must
say don't like the looks of this. I'm
afraid we have trusted him too far, al
though the accounts seem straight
enough. I'll look into them to-mor-
row."
He did look into them.
$50 far they are right" he said to
himself. sBut it is better to be on the
safe side. A clerk whose wife dresses
like Duchess can't be altogether
straight. III discharge him!"
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
81 saw your wife at my Brother
Bentley's ball." said he, "dressed in
moire-antique, costly lace, and dia-
monds. 1 bring no accusation-I have
no complaint to make-only, in these
days of embezzlement, forgery, and de.
falcation, one has to look out for him
self. And 'Straws show which way the
wind blows"
When Mr.. Mellen went home, he
found a lawyers clerk in the hall, with
letter from poor Pepper.
He wrote:
My wife is dead. God knows whether II
| is your fault or not. Had you paid the
money you owed, 1 might have sent hel
West to her native air. 1t would at least
have been a chance Of life for her. But she
Is gone now, and have only to say that, il
the bill is not settled at once, shall resort
| to the EXTREMIST measures.
This was the first Mr.. Mellen knew
that the S50-bill had not been applied
to its 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 mel"
And Lottie knew at last how dear q
price she had paid for one night of tri
umph at Mrs. Benedict's ball.