Louisiana capitolian., 1879-06-21
JUST m TINE.

JUST IN TINE.
When Charles Hollingsworth, then
only young clerk, married . bank
er's heiress, against her fathers will,
and took her home to the few poorly
furnished rooms he was able to hire,
they were very happy for time.
All seemed to 60 smoothly until a
small legacy was left to the husband,
which was expended in furniture far
too fine for their present condition,
and in dresses which were unsuitable
for Q clerks wife. Then, indeed, the
young people began to compete with
more wealthy families, and the young
wife never knew into what terrible
debts they were plunging.
Charles went homo one evening to
find Rosa in tears.
"I've been 80 frightened, love-" she
said. "A dreadful crazy creature has
been here and declared that our great
mirrors are not paid for. ! ordered
him out Of the house, and he shook
his fist at me, and said that we owed
for everything. What did it mean,
Edwards"
"That he was crazy, as you say
"Oh, Pm 80 glad" said foolish little
Rosa, smiling. thought there might
be something ut the bottom Of his
talk; and since it isn't 10, you'll give
me that new garnet velvet dress
spoke Of and a pearl for my hair
pearls become me SO well. You'll let
me have it tomorrow, Charlie, in
time for Mrs. Rushland's dinner p
'IfI can, Rosa" /" said Charles; "but
what if I were to ask you to wear
your old dresses this winter I"
"What a joke I" cried Rosa. "But
you told grandpa l should never want
for anything. You can't be growing
stingy, love-"
"You shall have the money, Rosa
His face had turned very white, but
she did not see it. After awhile he
arose and put on his coat.
~ must go out awhile" he said.
~ have business 10 attend to-" And
she saw him unconsciously take from
his bosom the keys Of his Office desk.
"Going to the Office To-NIGnf ~
she asked.
"No, no. Why should you tn ink
80 I" he said, and turned fiery red.
Rosa felt frightened. She could not
tell why. She went to the door " ith
her husband and watched him down
the street. Then she went back to
the parlor and picked up the morning
paper. The first paragraph her eyes
fell upon was an account Of the arrest
Of the confidential clerk Of q certain
firm for embezzlement.
"He was honest, until extravagant
women made him their prey" added
the writer. "Extravagance is the
road to ruin"
The paper fell from Rosa's fingers.
Suddenly food Of light illuminated
the darkness Of her life.
~ am an extravagant woman"
she said. ~ am driving my dear
husband to ruin. Tonight he may
do something to supply my foolish
wants that will cover him with infa-
my and part us forever. / will follow
him.
A great waterproof cloak with q
hood lay upon the chair near by.
Rosa seized it and wrapped it about
, her and few into the street.
She turned her steps as by instinct
toward her husbands place Of bust
ness. It was large building and the
ianitor stood at the door.
"My husband is in his Office, is he
not I" she asked.
eyes, walk up, ma'am," said the
3 old man, and Rosa flew up stairs. She
opened the door. The gas had been
; lit, and it's rays fell over the head Of
3 her husband as he sat at the desk.
She crept softly up behind him and
peeped over bis shoulder. An empty
! cheek lay before him, and opposite
8 stood a paper bearing the sigma ture
' Of his employer, which he with careful
t strokes was copying letter by letter.
"Charles !" shriekcd Rosa, and he1
It white hand descended upon the pa
: per. "Charles."
r The man started to his feet.
"God led me here, Charles" ," sobbet
his wife. ooh, Charles, is this tn
j. first time I"
It "The very first, Rosa."
h 1T is my fault said Rosa. MY ex
If travagance had maddened you. Bur-
t. that paper and come away
In a moment more the check 'as
II little heap Of ashes, and Ros% ga
,r upon her husbands knee, hiding he
head on his shoulder.
we will sell all the furniture al
70 that we owe. The rest we will Civ