South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-07-18
~ s T IN TIM e


~ a young clerk, married n bankers
heiress, AGAINST her fathers will and
took her homo 30 the few poorly furnish
ed rooms he was able TO hire, they were
very happy for while.
ALI seemed 10 40 smoothly until
small legacy was LEFT TO the young hus-
band. which was expended in furniture
far too fine for their present condition.
aud in dresses which were unsuitable
for a clerks wife. Then, indeed. the
young people began 10 compete with
more wealthy families. and the young
! wife never knew into what terrible debt
! they were plunging.
J Charles went home one evening TO And
Rosa in tears.
I've been so frightened. love- she
/ said. ~ dreadful crazy creature has
been here, declaring thai our great MIR
rovs are not paid Tor. 1 ordered him Gu.
OF the house and he shook his fist at me.
lie said he mo,slt. DO pGid. aI,i that we
owed him foc everything. What dill 1t
mean, CharlesS'
/ That no was crazy Won say, dearest
oh I'm SO glad said foolish little
Rosa. smiling. Il though. there might
be something at the bottom of his talk !:
and since it isn't so, you will give mo
that new garnet velvet dress that spoke
OF, and new pearl spray for my hair
pearls become me SO well. You'll let
mo have It tomorrow, Charles, in time
for Mrs. Rushlanis dinner2'
III can, Rose said Charles: but
what would you say if / were TO ask YOU
to wear your old dresses this winter
What joke cried Rosa. But you
told grandpa should never want for
anything. You can't DO growing stin-
gy, lover
You shall have the money, Rosa,
said Charles.
Ills face had turned very white. but
she did no! see it. After while he
arose and put on his coat.
Il must go out awhile, he said, i
have business to attend to- And she
saw him unconsciously take from his
bosom the keys of his office desk.
Going TO the office tonight she ask.
no, no. Why should you think so?
he said, and turned fiery red.
Rosa felt frightened. She could not
tell why. She went TO the door with
her husband. and watched him down the
J street. Then she went back u the par
lor, ard picked up tue daily paper. The
hrst paragraph her eyes fell upon was
the arrest Of the confidential clerk OF a
certain firm for embezzlement.
lie was honest until eXtravagant wo.
men made. him their prey, added the wri
ter. 'ExtraVasance is thc rpad TO RUN.
The paper fell from Rosa's fingers
Suddenly Hood OF light seemed to llu
inmate the darkness OF her life.
Il am an eXtravagant woman, she
said, Il ain driving my dear husband tC
ruin. Tonight he may do something
to supply my foolish wants that will
cover him with infamy and part US for.
ever. | will follow him.,
a great waterproof cloak with hood
lay on chair near by. Rosa seized il
: ana wrapt it about her, and flew out In
TO the street.
She turned her steps "a if by instinct
towards her husbands place ofbusness
1t was large binding, and the janitor
stood a, the door.
My husband is in the office, is he not (?
she asked I'm to meet him here.
yes. Walk up. ma arn,' said the old
man and Rosa flew up stairs. She ope n.
ed the door. The gas bad been lit and
its rays fell over the head OF her hus
band as he sat ut his desk. She creDi
softly up behind him and peeped over
ms shoulders. Nm empty cheek lay be.
fore him, and opposite stood paper
bearing the signature Of his elaploye en-
which he with careful strokes was copy
, ing letter for letter.
Charles = shrieRed Rosa, anl her
white hand descending upon the paper
Charles =
The man started to bis feet.
God led me here. Charles. sobbed
his wife. 'Ob Charles, is this the first
timer
The very first. r )sa.' said the man.
1t is my fault : said Rosa MY ex-
travasance has maddened YOU. Burn
that paper and come away.
In moment more the check was a III.
tie heap OF ashes, and Rosa sat upon her
husbands knee, hiding her head on his
shoulder.
We will sell all the furniture. all that
We own. The rest we will give back .-
My jewels shall go. will wear calico.
We will be honest and forget our vanity. >
said she, and I will be true helprnate
70 You instead OF being your bane and
curse rs I hove been.
fhon they went home together.
Neither ever forgot that eyeninp. 49,
And though people piticd. The bankers
daughter for humble surroundings, she
was happier than she had ever been I'm
her life.
Always have book within your reach,
which YOU NAV catch NO AZ your odd