The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-01

am to be klnQ OF Dalt anu Dllnu W
Mr.. Roper. The only thing is that, if he
is as cautious as you describe, he will
certainly ask to see the accounts, and l
hardly know how they can be so man.
aged that he will not discover anything
of the true state of affairs"
Mrs. Beloe colored guiltily.
Peoples books do not always betray
them," she answered evasively.
"You mean to say that the accounts
are sometimes crookedF
Mrs. Beloe paled little now, and her
daughters stern eye seemed to take severe
note of her confusion.
"Not exactly, my dear, but CONNER
cial men"
"Have separate code of morals alto
gether to ordinary people, it seems" re-
piled Euphemia, scornfully. | suppose
any amount of deceit is justifable from
commercial point of view"
"I never said that"
"But you implied it, mamma"
81 meant only that it would not be
necessary always to represent things at
worst, in these cases. A panic is always
to be avoided, as it involves Others and
exposes your affairs in such way that
you can never raise your head again.
The other alternative is the better OF the
two, and the one most generally adopted,
| believe. | have heard my father say
that he had been on the brink of bank
ruptcy twenty times at least during his
commercial career, but by perfect discre,
ton he had managed to keep up the
confidence of his friends, and SO waded
through"
Euphemia sighed little.
I don't think people would ever want
to deceive others if they knew beforehand
how painful the effort would be-" she
said, more feebly than Mrs. Beloe could
understand. "It is better to endure any
amount of present humiliation, than to
live in the shadow of a great deceit,
which must inevitably poison all youl
future days"
"Really, Euphemia, I never heard you
talk in this odd way before! [ always
thought you would listen to reason"
81 hope | have never done or said any
thing to prove the contrary"
"You have disappointed me exceeding
ly. 1t would be hard thing for YOU
father at his age, to have to begin thu
world anew. I am sure he would sinl
under anything like privation."
Euphemia dropped her head, an(
seemed to be in deep reflection.
"Ihe very thought of what you pro
pose fills me with dread" she said, pre-
sently. 81 would rather die at this yer,
,, minute, than be called upon to contem
> plate seriously such marriage as yol
describe"
y "Mr. Roper is good man."
81 know that. 1t is another reasol
why he should not be so cruelty de
ceived."
"Of course, Mr.. Roper is at liberty
}, investigate our affairs if he chooses,
said Mrs. Beloe, with deprecating smile
T "Your father is not bound to tell hil
4 anything at all, especially if he gives hil
" full opportunities of discovering matter
- for himself"
Il 81 wish, mamma, you wouldn't Tux an
explain away what is so very obvious.
j. is no use binding man first, and the
), blaming him because he can't see.
j. suppose papa means to take care that MI
Roper's investigations shall not be {
T much use to him"
at sounds very odd, Euphemia, to sa
# the least of it, to hear you talk in TIA
way of your own father"
d II speak because am obliged; and
papa were here he would be the first
recognize the truth of my words; for
q am sure he could never be guilty Of Il
o least fraud, without suffering for it bi
terly in his own conscience"
J. "You don't know anything abo1
q trade, that is certain. If all people we
= as scrupulous as you are, | don't kno
r. how they would ever get on"
"Honesty is the best policy, mamma.
a. "But your father is not dishonest, E
We phemia.
$, Euphemia sighed bitterly.
m "1'here is so much going on one c;
60 not approve" she said, "and | expect t
D. only way is to shut your eyes to VIII
as a. you can not remedy"
As "And, Euphemia," continued M
Mt Beloe, returning to the subject that W
so near her heart, "you will try and Ii
VI Mr.. Roper?'
~ 'I already like him" replied the daug
I'd ter, coldly.
o. o. "And if he proposes?"
ct "I shall refuse him."
va "And ruin us allw
Euphemia hesitated moment, and
es- dark shadow Of care crept across her pt
of ciled brows.
to Then she said very gently:
Use "The alternative seems terrible enoul
oe Surely, you must be exaggeratingw
ut. "On the contrary, | have told you
/ is than I might have told you. A very f
to days hence, unless your father has so
prospect that will reassure his creditc
nd we shall be beggars."
nd "Do you feel sure that my mari;
in with Mr.. Roper would avert the d.
ce, ger?" asked Euphemia, in a calm,
yo. liberate voice.
, a . "Your father appears to be positive
that point, and he ought to know"
er- Euphemia was silent full five minu
uoAon onJ d,,r;pn 4b;c +i,na N