The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-28

Counterpart and made VOW never Il
desert-baby. She would as soon have
thought of promising never to desert
her own heart. She promised never.
never to desert Tom. She had yaghe
fear that evil was advancing upon Tom.
She knelt there till she had persuaded
herself that she had no right to censnre
Tom. All young men fell in love, and
all wanted to marry. She could not
expect Tom to be a sacrifice to her and
baby.
When she had thus decided, she sat
up and began to plan her future.
There seemed only one thing for Ivah
to do; to take some boarders.
Before going to bed she went to the
Tribune office, with an advertisement
for the morning paper.
BY the time that Tom had vacated
his room and gone to Mrs. Hills an
elderly man and wife were ready to
move into it. Table-boarders also
came. That first day lvah cooked for
seven boarders. She had young girl
to look after baby, wash dishes, run err
rands, etc.
Ivah's rule was to have few dishes,
well prepared, and having a home
flavor. As she had reckoned, this
pleased. The seven boarders brought
in others. Before the month was out,
there were more applicants than her
table would accommodate.
At the months end, with a throhbing
heart, Ivah carefully cast up her &C.
counts. When this was done, 81 = - ~
the little book, caught baby to herknee,
kissing and hugging the child. The
little landlady had come out ahead,
There was balance of thirteen dollars
in her favor.
She knew that her boarders were so
well pleased that she could venture q
small advance on her prices. Very
small it was, only seventY-fve cents a
head, on the week, but it told on the
returns.
Before five months had passed. Ivah
decided to take a larger and better
house, more conveniently situated for
business people, and to put up her
prices. The house was nearer Tom s
quarters, and before Ivah was settled,
Tom came around with his books.
&C 1t will be so pleasant to have you
near" he said.
Ivah discerned the sadness in his
smile. She had remarked before that
Tom was looking thinner and more
worn.
Whenever you are belated in your
work, you must come and let me help
you, Tom," she said, beginning to cast
up column of figures.
When they had finished the work, she
inquired about Marie.
"She's at the theater," said Tom,
with dash of bitterness in his voice
and in his face.
"Why didn't you go with her?" Ivah
asked.
81 couldn't afford it." said Tom;
"besides, have to work. You know
l keep Mrs. Webber's books beside Har-
ris Brothers books"
Il suppose you're laying by some
thing, but you mustn't overwork.
Couldn't Marie help you someP"
"Marie?' Tom cried, with derisive
laugh.
Ivah was greatly PANIED that Tom
could use such tone toward his wife.
"There is nothing Marie can do ex-
cept to spend money. am not laying
up anything. She keeps me in debt
every hour of my life. l am owing
ninety-six dollars board now"
"Why, Toni" cried Ivah, shocked.
"Why don't you go to a cheaper board
ing-houseP'
Il can't get away from Mrs. Hills
till l have settled arrears, unless leave
my trunks. Think of that humiliationr'
go Tom, l would do anything. 1
would live on parched corn, before /
would live in debit
"But you could not help the debt if
you were bound to such person as my
wife"
That night she lay awake, planning
for Tom, remembering her vow to
stand by him-to desert him never. He
needed her now.
The next day she called at Mrs. Hills,
and by becoming surety for the pay
ment of Toms arrears, she had his be-
longings moved to her boarding house.
AS this was now a stylish establishment
Marie made no objection to the move,
especially as some of the ladies at Mrs.
Hills had begun to cut her.
Ivah believed with Tom that the Sc
cret of Marie's extravaganza and dis
content and dissipation was the want of
useful employment. Ivah set herself
to meet this want. seas
"The Frenchwomen have such a
knack at making things look their best,
and you have such taste, Marie, that it
would be real favor to me if you would
see to the setting of the table," Ivah
said, with her prettiest manner, which
was very pretty indeed.
So Marie, her skill and self-esteem
t1attered, went to the dining room, and
did her best at spreading the table, and
lvah praised the result. BY some SIM
liar f'sesse Marie was induced to take
charge of the ladies' parlors.
Then Ivah beguiled Marie, who was
really good-natured, to learn cake
baking. Marie became positively in
fatuated with the work, and every
morning, right after breakfast, she
would go the kitchen and make the
cakes for the following day.
Time which belonged to her own af-
fairs and to baby Ivah gave to attend
ing Marie to lectures and concerts and
other amusements less dissipating than
the theatre.
To tell how Ivah's work for Marie