Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-29
THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE

THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE.
II assure you, my dear boy, | am ex
tremely sorry to appear unkind in thi
matter, but, belive me. I am acting TO
me best
"But surely may see Rosie az usual?
] asked
~ am afraid not" replied Mr.. Temple
''It would be very injudicious. You ar,
both too young and too romantic at pres
ent. Besides, your means are utterly in
adequate to maintain wife"
MAY I not bic Rosie goodbye, then?
I persisted. "One more meeting canno
hurt either of u.s."
"Rosie is not at home,n replied her ia
Their gently, almost alphabetically, a.
he shook me by the hand. "She went t.
stay with some friends yesterday. Good
night and hope for better days"
"Good-night," 7 replied. 81 suppose
you don't mean to be unkind, Mr.. TEN
pie; but you have made me very miser.
able.''
my dear young friend" he replied
putting his hand on my shoulder, ''were
you in position to MAINTAIN wife, ]
would sanction your engagement Mt in time
but now such course, though painful fol
us all, IS the only one Mrs. Temple and !
can with justice adopt. We shall be
pleased to see you again after our return
from the continent, Good night"
I made no rapIy-indecd, could not
have spoken just then My throat was
choked with teara, and big drops
welled slowly from my eyes as walked
across the open space facing the house.
This was to be the termination of our en-
gaoement then,
Rosie Temple and had fattered our
selves that series of dances, picnics, and
charade- parties, with very good knowl-
edge of lawn-tennis and croquet, cousti-
tuted housekeeping We had only e30O
year between us, and dear Rose always
spent $40 at least on her dress annually.
She had lately been very economical in
the matters of gloves, and had made her
self bonnet which was in every sense
becoming. Sill, we were not much near
OF 10 matlimony then; and now
30 pursued my way across the com,
mon, and Go not mind cnnfessing tia.
shed tears as I walked in that dark
evening beneath the trees and into the
gloomy and desolate highway, caring for
nothing and for nobody except Rosie
my pretty, piquant wondering
whittier she had gone or had she really
gone. Was it not a pardonab!e subter-
fuge on the part of Mr.. Temple to induce
me to leave the ueiQhborhood?
At that time had, unfortunately, no
occupation. had been clerk in
banking house, but the ''bad times" had
necessitated {. reduction in the 'staff,"
and was one OF those sent away at
months notice and months salary
True, I had q small income derivable
from a legacy, but this was scarcely
enough to keep me in bread and cheese
and clothing.
It will therefore be seen that Mr.. TEN
pie was quite right. Matrimony was a
luxury could not afford. I acknowI-
edged 1t even then as | went home de-
spending.
When I reached my lodgings found
two letters awaiting me, One was from
nay brother, who WAS commanding de-
tachment OF his reg iment in Irland, the
other from my fathers late solicitor. I
opened the "otHciHl' note first.
It contained only few lines, request
ing me to call on him in London in a
day or two, as perhaps might be able
to do some work for the good natured
lawyer
The other letter was most cheerful,
and bore warm invitation to share nv
brothers coun ~ quarters for a fort
night, cor longer if liked,' next month.
Before ! went TO bed replied to both
my kind correspondents, accepting both
invitations.
Next day I went to London, and in
the afternoon | called upon the solicitor
nervOuslv.
His business was simple. Did know
French2 did. Was acquainted with
bookkeeping2 I was.
swell, then,' said he. twill you 90 to
Geneva and transact this business, partic-
ulars of which 1 will give you tomorrow
You shall be paid as my clerk, and have
your expenses and something besides
agreed" said, gladly;"I will go.
When am to set out?'
GAS soon as you can get ready IF you
do this well think l can help you to
something better"
l wrung his hand and left him, took the
first train home, packed up, and next
morning at eleven o'clock was at his Of
flee in London again. 1 wrote to my
brother, telling him the facts, mastered M
instructions, and next morning I was in
Paris.
found the business at Geneva much
more complicated than / expected. 1t
was liquidation case. Day after day
passed; DAYS ran into weeks; and at last,
after six weeks hard work and run to
Chamouni, | was on my way home again.
swell done |" was the verdict passed
upon my efforts, and it was very welcome,
accom- panied as it was with check for
fifty guineas
"Call on me when return to town.
said my friend, in about five weeks time,
and will tell you something think you
will be glad to hear"
My thoae hts Immediately flew to Rosie
Not that had by any means forgotten
her; but now | was idle again felt more
detected than ever. Liquidation cases
are not romantic!
was now at liberty to join my broth