Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-15

ly, ARE you trying to ruin me? Where
do you suppose l am to get three hun
dred dollars at moments notice
for this note of Callahan s contains an
insolent postscript to the effect that
if the money is not paid within twen-
ty four hours, legal measures will be
resorted to!'
Isidore quai1ed before her husband $
sternly reproachful gaze.
'They-they have sent it in twice
before, confessed she.
And why was | not noticed of this
fact !
was-oh, Martin, do not look at
me SOL was afraid you would be
vexed.
'Vexed He bit his lip. We'll,
it's of no use to talk now. Of course,
the emergency must be met. But for
the future, remember that wife
should be hel pmate to her husband,
instead of clog chained around his
neck.
Never before in all their marrid
life, had Martin Holt spoken thus to
his wife, and Isidore shrunk back as
if every word had hit her blow.
oh, what shall do? she asked
herself, wildly, when the door closed
behind him. I have no mother no
sister to consult. Whom shtll | 90
to for help and sympathy in this
strait
And even a, the unsyllabled Ques
ton huttered across her mind, the
door opened, and Martin IIoIts step
mother stood before her
'Isilore YOU are weeping You are
in trouble. My poor child can't YOU
contile in ne?
Her eyes full Of tender pleading
were fixed upon the girls wan face
her open arms were held out, lsldore
hew to her bosom and hid her face on
the tender shoulder.
Oh | must speak to some one,
she cried, or | shall die.
1t was nearly dusk, that evening,
before the last clerk was gone from
the gloomy counting house of Goldie-
man g. Co., in whose firm Martin Holt
held the position Of cashier. For
some time Holt had been leaning
mo51iv back in his seat, with folded
arms and eyes fixed intentIy or the
door. But the instant the door closed
behind the latest of the lingerers, he
hurriedIy unlocked the safe and took
ont some bank notes.
Three hundred dollars, he NUT
TERED to himself They were paid
in after business hours. GoIdieman
knows nothing of tnem-need know
nothing, if am wise enough to keep
,nv own courcil until ! ain ready 20
repay this temporary loan-for it is
o tlv aloan after a|l--and with this
money can pay eff Callaha1s bill,
and save my credit in the mercantile
world
Looking furtively around, aithongi.
he knew perfectly we'll that there was
no one but himself in the room, he
slippel the bank notes into his breast
pocket and skunk like a criminal from
the building, avoiding even that caus-
ual glance Of the night Waterman as
he gave him good evening" sir, on
the stairs.
For Martin Holt felt that he had
crossed the debaraUle land that lay
between honesty and crime. Within
himself he knew that he had taken
his first step on life's down bill, and
it was his wife that had driven him tc
it.
Mr.. Callahan met him with a broad
smile as he entered the we'll lighted
shop.
i was just going to send my boy tc
your house with this receipt, Mr.
Holt simpereI he, obsequiously.-
Much obliged for your promptness
Shall hope for the favor of your fu-
ture custom.
Martin Holt took the receipted bill
extended towards him, and scrutinlzet
it closely before he could convince
himself that it really was recelpted
And then almost believing in the mi
raculous interposition OF some super