Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-02
THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE.

tremely sorry to appear unkind in this
matter, but, belive me, am acting for
the best.''
But surely l may see Rosie as usual9"
] asked.
a am afraid moi" replied Mr.. Temple.
ut would be very injudicious. You are
both too young and too romantic at pres
ent. Besides, your means are utterly in
adequate to maintain wife"
MAY not biz Rosie good bye, thenl"
persisted. "One more meeting cannot
hurt either of u.s."
Rosie is not at home" replied her IA
ther, gently, almost alphabetically, as
he shook me by the hand. "She went to
stay with some friends yesterday. Good
night; and hope fo1 better days.
Goodnight" replied. II suppose
you don't mean to be unkind, Mr.. Tenn
pie; but you have made me very miser-
able"
"My dear young FRIEND" he replied
you in position to maintain wife. 1
would sanction your engagement in time
but now such course. though painful Tor
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. Goodnight"
made no reply-indecd, could not
have spoken just then. My throat was
choked with tears, and big drops
welled slowly from my eyes as l walked
across the open space facing the house.
This was to be the termination of our en-
gagement, thenl
Rosie Temple and l had hattered our
selves that series Of dances, picnics, and
charade-p parties, with very good knowl-
edge of lawn-tennis and croquet, consti-
tuted housekeeping. We had only e3OO
q 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 a bonnet which was IN every sense
becoming. Still, we were not much near
er' TO matrimony then; and now
So pursued my way across the com,
mon, and Go not mind confessing that
shed tears as l 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 Rosie-wondering
whittier she had gone, or had she really
gone. Was it not a pardonable subter-
fuge ca the part of Mr.. Temple to induce
me to leave the neighborhood2
AT that time had, unfortunately, no
occupation. l had been a clerk in q
banking house, but the ''bad times" had
necessitated a reduction in the staff, >
and was one OF those sent away at a
months notice aud a months salary
True, had small income derivable
from 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. l acknowt
edged it even then as I went home de-
spending.
When I reached my lodgings : found
two letters awaiting me. One was from
my brother, who was commanding de-
tachment of his regiment in Irland, the
other from my fathers late solicitor.
opened the official" note first.
It contained only few lines, request
ing me to call On him in London in
day or two, as perhaps might be abb
to do some work for the good-naturet
lawyer.
The other letter was most cheerful
and bore warm invitation to share m,
brothers country quarters for fort
night, ''or longer if liked" next month
Before / went TO. bed replied to bot
my kind correspondents, accepting bot
invitations.
Next day went to London, and i
the afternoon l called upon the so.icito
nervouslv.
His business was simple. Did knoy
French7 did. Was acquainted wit
bookkeeping9 was.
swell, then,' said he. twill you go t
Geneva, and transact this business, partie
ulars of which l will give you to- morrow
You shall be paid as my clerk, and hav
your expenses and something besides.
agreed" / said, gladly;"I viii! q
When am to set out9"
t'As soon as you can get ready. If 70
do this well / think can help you I
something better"
l wrung his hand and left him, took tn
first train home, packed up, and ne1
morning at eleven o'clock was at his O
fee in London again. I wrote to m
brother, telling him the facts, mastered m
instructions, and next morning / was i
Paris.
] found the business at Geneva muc
more complicated than l expected.
was liquidation case. Day after da
passed; days ran into weeks; and at las
after six weeks hard work and run
Chamouni, l was on my way home agar
swell done ~ was the verdict passe
upon my efforts, and it was very welcom
accompanied as it was with check fl
fifty guineas.
s'Call on me when return to town
said my friend, in about five weeks tim
and will tell you something think yc
will be glad to hear"
My thoughts Immediately flew to Rosi
Not that had by any means folgotte
her; but now was idle again felt mo-
detected than ever. Liquidation cas-
are not romanticl
was now at liberty to join my brotl
er. And / telegraphed at once, and
eleven o'clock that evening I was knoc1
ed up to take in the reply.
II was short and to the point. 1t ri
thus: Come along, old fellow; stay
long as you like"
went. IliVed with the detachmen
and what fuDwe had Fishing in iii
river ciose'bys cricket; little shootin
for September was upon as now; rowil