The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-03-08
st when you have drained me of my

just when you nave urH1neu me OF IAy
last cent"
"Let 'em clamor, then, that's my ad
vice." said Florian, without taking the
trouble to move his head.
''Just give me back that $40 bill,
Florian," urged his mother; "you can't
want it tonight.
"But 1 do want it, it happens said
Florian, coolly.
"You are going to fritter it away in
some of those gambling-houses,t to drink
yourself stupid again, fretted Mrs. Rich
ley. It's too bad, getting my money
away from me, Just to indulge in those
horrible habits. Why don't you earn
money for yourself ?''
easy, ma, easy" said the dutiful
son, lazily dragging himself to a sitting
posture. "Don't lose your temper, for
it isn't worth while This $40 bill is
going to help me make my fortune. 1t
shall take the lovely Laura to the opera
tonight"
Nonsense; this fine scheme will flash
in the pan just like the rest of your
castles in the air. She won't have you. -
ooh, yes she will, my incredulous
mamma wait and see. I shall bring
her to the poinc pretty soon. Then I'll
pay you back the money, with interest,
out of my lady's bag of sinners
"And you will leave off your gambling
habits Oh, Florian they will be the
ruin OF you yet"
"Perhaps-perhaps not, - returned the
young man, insolently. "That will be
very much as please"
Both the mother and her son had en-
tirely forgotten the presence of the
young girl who was standing in the
dusky shadows near the door, until this
moment, when Mrs. Richley, turning
sharply around, saw her.
"What are you waiting for2" she
asked, irritably 81 have already told
you that it was not convenient to pay the
money to-night-why don't you go about
your business
Her cheeks were flushed, even beneath
their artificial bloom of rouge, and her
chill, gray eyes sparkled with rising am
ger, as Laura Avery composedly adj
vanced forward. She took one of the
wax tapers from the china shell, and
lighted the gas with steady hand,
whose flash of rich rings filed Mrs.
Richley with astonishment.
81 am sorry that you cannot pay your
just debts, madam, said Laura, Quietly
looking the amazed mother and son in
the face; ''but [ am not sorry for any
occurrence that has had the effect of
opening my eyes to the true character of
Mr.. Florian Richley. [ will take the
so, sir, to my sick friend, as you will
find it entirely unnecessary to go to the
opera tonight"
Florian's handsome cheek had grown
pale-his knees quivered beneath him as
he mechanically took the bill from his
pocket-book, and placed it in the hand of
the imperative beauty, while Mrs. Rich
ley sank back aghast into the cushioned
arm chair.
81 am very sorry-awkward mistake
hope you Will allow me an explanation,
he stammered.
81 require no explanation, sir,' was
Laura's cold reply, as she withdrew from
the apartment, haughtily, and unap-
proachable as statute of ice.
She hurried homeward through the
twilight streets, with burning cheek
and beating heart, and it was nearly dark
when once more she entered Miss Way
nails room, lighted only by the faint
glow of low fire.
"Back SO soon, Laura ?" asked Ellen,
somewhat surprised.
"Here is the money, Nelly, and the
wine," she said, thankful that the din
light could not betray her tell-tale feat
ures. "And now you must get well as
fast as you can.
"Oh, Laura, I am so much obliged te
you," said Ellen, earnestly.
Laura stopped to kiss her friends pale
cheek, inwardly rejecting how much she
had to thank Ellen's indisposition.
But she never told Ellen of the dis
covery she had unwittingly made while
fulfilling the gentle mission of friend
ship, and no one ever knew the precise
manner in which the contemplated mattel
between Florian Richley and Laura Aver,
was broken off.
There are some things that bring thei.
own reward in this world-and the on,
act of kindness had saved Laura from
unconsciously taking the step that woult
have precipitated her into a lifetime o
misery.