Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-29
" THROUGH FL0OD--..THR0UGH
FIRE"
Cassell,s MagazIne.

CaSStlls Magazine.
! assure you, my dear boy, am ex-
tremey sorry to appear unkind i'll this
matter; but, believe me. | am acting
for the best"
But surely l may see Rosie as usu-
alp | asked.
"Iam afraid not, replied Mr.. Temple.
" 1t would be very injudicious. You
are both too young and too romantic
at present. Besides your means are
utterly inadequate to maintain a wife. ="
May ! not bid Rosie goodbye, then? ?"
| persisted Gone more meeting can
not hurt either Of us"
Rosie is not at home" replied her
father gently, almost sympathetically,
as he shook me by the hand. "She
went to stay with some friends yester-
day. Good night; and hope for better
days
Good night" replied Il suppose
you don't mean to be unkind, Mr.. Tenn
pie, but you have made me very mis-
cradle"
My dear young friend" he replied,
putting his hand kindly on my shout
der, "were you in a position to main
LblIl a. WIZ hOulNl SdIlCtlOIl NOuI 0Il-
gagement in time; but now such u
course, though painful for 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-indeed could not
have spoken inst 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
engagement, them Rosie Temple and
| had flattered ourselves that Il series Of
dances, picnics, and charade parties,
with very good knowledge Of lawn
tennis and croquet, constituted house
keeping. We had only E300 n wear
between us. and dear Rose always spent
t40 at least on her dress annually. She
had lately been very economical i'll the
matter of gloves, and had made herself
bonnet which was i'll every sense be-
coming; STILL we were not much nearer
To matrimony then; and now
SO | pursued my way across the com
mon, and | do not mind confessing that
! shed tears rs | walked in that dark
evening beneath the trees and into the
gloomy and desolate high road, caring
for nothing and fornobody except Rosie
my pretty piqtdnte Rose; wondering
whether she had gone-or had she real
~ gone? Was 1t not u pardonable sub
tertuge on the part of Mr.. Temple to
induce me to leave the neighborhood.
At that time / had, unfortunately, no
occupation. j had been clerk in n
banking house, but the chad times"
had necessitated Il reduction in the
stall, and ! was one of those sent
away at 4 months notice with d months
salary. True, | had i small income
derivable from legacy, but this was
scarcely enough to keep me in bread
and cheese and clothing
1t will therefore be seen that Mr.
Temple was quite right. Matrimony
was luxury | could not afford. | ac-
knowledged it even then, as | went
home Responding.
When ! reached my lodgings / found
two letters awaiting me. One was from
my brother, who was commanding a
detachment Of his regiment in Ireland,
the other was from my late fathers
solicitor. opened the "official" note
first.
1t contained only few lines, request
ing me to call on him in London in
day or two, as perhaps | might be able
70 DO some work for the good-natured
lawyer.
The other letter was most cheerful,
and bore warm invitation to share my
brothers country quarters for fort
night, cor 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
il the afternoon | called upon the So
licitor nervously.
His business was simple. Did know
French? / did Was | acquainted
with bookkeeping? was.
We'll, them said he, will you goto
Geneva, and transact this business, par
ticulars Of which ! will give you to-mor-
row. You shall be paid as my clerk,
and have your expenses and something
besides"
Agreed | said gladly; J viii 70.
When am 70 set out?"
As soon as YOU can get ready. If
YOU do this well | think can help you
to something better
| wrung his hand and left him, took
the first train home, packed VI, and
next morning at II o'clock vas at the
office in London again. ! wrote % my
brother telling him the facts, mastered