The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-28
FLOOD AND FIRE.


ASSURE YOU, my uear DOy. l dln eX-
tremely sorry to appear unkind in this
matter; but believe me, am acting for
the best"
''But surely may see Rosie as usual %
asked.
Il am afraid not, replied Mr.. Temple.
1T would be very injudi cious. You are
both too young and too romantic at pres
ent. Besides your means are utterly in
adequate to maintain wife
May | not bid Rosie goodbye, them
! persisted. "One more meeting cannot
hurt either of us"
Rosie is not at home" replied her ia
fher. gently, almost sympathetically, as
he shook me by the hand. ''She went to
stay with some friends yesterday. Good
night; and hope for better days"
Good night" | replied Il suppose
you don { mean to be unkind, Mr.. Temple,
but you have made me very miserable"
My dear young friend" he replied,
putting his hand kindly on my shoulder,
were you in position to maintain a
wife, | would sanction your engagement
IN time; but now such a course, though
painful to us all, is the only one Mrs.
Temple and can in justice adopt. We
shall be pleased to see you again after our
return from the continent Good night. ="
made no reply-lndeed. | could not
have spoken just then. My throat was
choked with tears and big drops welled
slowly from my eyes as | walked away
across the open space facing the house
This was TO be the termination of our en-
gagement, then. Rosie Temple and
had fiattered ourselves that series of
dances, picnics, and charade parties, with
very good knowledge of lawn tennis and
croquet, constituted housekeeping. We
had only $500 a year between us. and
dear Rose always spent e40 at least on
her dress annually. She had lately been
very economical In the matter of gloves,
and had made herself bonnet which was
IN every sense becoming; still, we were
not much nearer to matrimony then: and
now.
SO pursued my way across the common,
and do not mind confessing that shed
tears as walked in that dark evening be-
meath the trees and into the gloomy and
desolate high road, caring for nothing and
for nobody except for Rosie, my pretty,
piqnante Rose; wondering whittier she
mad gone-or had she really gone. Was
il not pardonable subterfuge on the part
of Mr.. Temple to induce me to leave the
neighborhood.
AT that time had, unfortunately no &C.
cupation. | had been clerk in a bank
ing house, but the bad times" had neces-
STATED reduction in the staff" and ]
was one ofthose sent away at months
notice, and months salary. True. |
had small income, derivable from leg
acy, but this was scarcely enough to keep
me IN bread and cheese and clothing.
II Will therefore be seen that MIR. Tenn
pie was quite right. Matrimony was a
luxury ! could not afford. acknowledged
it even then, as went home despondiDg.
When ] reached my lodgings | found
two letters awaiting me. One was from
my brother. who was commanding a de-
taehment of his regiment in Ireland. the
other was from my late fathers solicitor.
opened the Official note first.
1t contained only few lines, requesting
me to call on him IN London in day or
two. as perhaps | might be able to 10
some work for the good-natured lawyer.
The other letter was the most cheerful,
and bore warm invitation to share nv
brothers country quarters for a fortnight
''or longer If ! liked. next month.
Before went to bed | replied TO both
my KIND correspondents, accepting both
invitations.
Next day went up to London, and in
the afternoon ] called upon the solicitor
nervously.
His business was simple. Did know
French? did. Was | acquainted with
book-keeping2 was.
We'll, then" said he. "Will you 90 to
Geneva, and transact this business, partic-
ulars Of which ! will give you tomorrow?
You shall be paid as my clerk. and have
your expenses and something besides
Agreed. | said gladly; Il will go.
When am to set out?''
AS soon as you can get ready. If You
do tins well ! think can help you to
something better"
! wrung his hand and left him. took the
first tram home, packed up, and next morn
ing at ii o'clock was at the office in London
again. | wrote TO my brother telling him
the facts, mastered my instruction. and
next morning was in Pans
found the business at Geneva much
more complicated than expected 1t was
liquidation case. Day after day passed:
the days ran into weeks. and at last, after
six weeks hard work and run To Cha
mount. ! was on my way home again.
well done," was the verdict passed
upon my efforts. and was very welcome.
accompanied as IT was. with a check for
fifty guineas.
Call on me when | return to town."
sand my friend. I'm about FIVE weeks
time, and will tell you something think
you viii be glad to hear
My thoughts immediately flew to Rosie.
Not that | had by any means forgotten
her; but now ! was idle again felt even
more detected than ever. Liquidation
cases are not romantic.
was now at liberty to join my brother.
telegraphcd ut once, and AT IL O'Clock
that evening was knocked up TO take in
the reply.
1t was short and TO the point II ran
thus: Come along, old fellow; stay rs
long as you like"
went. lived with the detachment:
and what fun we had. Fishing in a fine
river close by: cricket; a little shooting.
tor September was upon us now: rowing
up and down the stream, and dining with
the hcspitable Irish residents. made up the
total of our days after parade or inspec-
ton.
One guest night-for we had our little
social parties occasionally-we were sit
ting at the open windows. when the sub
of the party exclaimed:
w hat glare there is yonder, It's a
Gre, believe"
"Bedad. your re right" said one of
our guests. Its down by Sir Johns: he
has house full. | lope it's not the
house itself."
Shall turn out the pickett" asked
my brother. why, look. It's increasing:
they may want assistance"
As he spoke the flames mounted up.
and the lurid smoke rose high into the
glare above.
Sound the 6re-cali and turn out the
p!ckets, Hamblyn." said my brother.
Take the men down at the double.
Wen drira o,...r Gn.,na A.. LII /