The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-01-24


overcame his resolution.
She swept past bin with an Of
Tended air, but pansing at the door
she turned. and locking full upoI
him, asked, once more
"Will you explain what caprice
has seized you, and why you play Of
severity and gloom upon me?"
Yes, l will explain, y he exclaimed
springing tc his feet, with white lips
aud shaking form. "Since you de.
mand to know, let me tell you that it
means ruin-utter, entire, complete
ruin was rich man when mar
ried you, and to-day i am beggar.
Not one cent that ! called nv own
can be claimed by me any longer.
The roof over our heads now belongs
to strangers, and we must go forth
homeless and penniless, to begin the
world again
He spoke as he felt, in a high, ex.
cited key /; his frame shook with the
feryor OF bis words.
His wife stood gazing full in his
eyes for moment. like one rooted to
the spot by powerful spell
Her face lost all its color, and her
eyes dilated widely, as if TO take in a
scene impossible for belief.
''ls this true % she uttered, and
her voice sounded low and husky.
Too Irue-too ,rue," be returned.
burying his face in his hands.
She sank into a chair, and taking
of the spleuoil shawl mechanically,
carefully returned it to its original
folds Then she sat still, locking
steadily before ber with vacant
-tare.
Once or twice Egbert looked up
expectantly, aud uneasily. bat there
was no change 10 her expression, aud
bis eyes dropped again.
At length be rose, and going to.
ward her, put bis arm around her
neck, aud bent over her in sad aGsc
tion, to which she offered 10 re-
sponse
81 would to hesven the blow could
have fallen on me alone.n be mOr-
INJURED Il feel that have wronged
you bitterly in sukjectiog you to 50
fearful revegses bar | ans young
yet, Dora, sad if your aunt will re-
ceive You in Paris, | viii work hard
thst you may live with her 10 com
parauve comfort until | have con
quered misfortune aud risen above
this dfeadful crash y
She shuddered aad hid her face
when be spoke thus, bat still made 10
response
He left her side, aud paced the
room excitedly for time, until Der
voice arrested bis frenzied steps
Would it not be best to give up
all at once ~ she asked, quietly.
There was strange and almost
automaton-like ,composure about her,
and her voice was very calm
She looked at him 10 such an earn
est, business like manner that it as
tonished him beyond the power of
replying.
"You said We would give mp every
thing q pay your creditors, she con
tinued ~ he same tone Would it
not be best to do it at once :"
I'VE must have time" be an
swered, hastily. Il cannot see you
toro, without preparation, from the
luxury that has always been yours
| cannot permit you to suffer any
thing that | can shield you from.
Your aunt"
Dora made an indignant gesture
tbst her husband could not compre-
hend.
Before they could say more a ser
vant appeared with message from
the Office for Mr. Walton.
twas long after midnight when be
returned from the counting-room.
His wife was asleep, and be would
not disturb her, bat threw himself on
lounge in bis dressing room, TO
wait for daylight, for in his then state
of mind be locked on sleep as i'm
possible
He was mistaken, however, for
Just before morning be fell into q
slumber that lasted for hours
When be awoke, Dora had break
tasted and gone out, aDd again the
pressure Of business detained him
away from her until after bedtime
10 the day. he had dispatched her
g note, in which be tried TO be as
cheerful as be could. and again be
alluded 10 her aunt and a year in
Paris as a place of refuge from The
present cares and annoysnces Of their
position.
She had no answer, and again
seemed in a deep slumber when he
entered their chamber.
Poor darlingl" be sighed, as be
bent over her lovely face Such
beauty sboaid have nothing to do
with tle coarse, hard, real world.
Would to Goa I could have screened
you from ali its cares and sorrows"
\ bot tear fell on Der smooth, white
brow, and she seemed TO stir for a
moment, but presently she was still
again, and be moved silently away
IN the bury and abstraction Of
bis forced settlements. be had but
little time for other thought; and vet
it panied him bitterly to know that
bis wife avoided Lim-for nearly
three days had now passed since they
had spoken together
Wearily be turned home Sa-d on
the afternoon Of the third day.
By giving up everything be pcs
sessed he would'stsnd free from debt
in the world and bear an honest
name.
He bad at once resolved on this
course, and Immediately afterward
received an effer Of position in the
house of al old merchants friend
of bis fsther's-wbo warmly sp-
pIsgded Eis resolution This would
be terrible change 10 Dora, and be
would make any sacrifice rather than
have her meet il. Paris would be an
escape, and painful as the separation
must prove. be would a.ge il with
all tie s,rssgta OF dis pnsel6sh na-
turs.