Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-10-29

the money. He found Dis vile IN her
own room, with their little Eddie on
her lap, the traces of tears were fresh on
her face, and she was singing to the ba-
by IN Il low tone.
Forgive me, my precious, for having
been so Grabbed just now" pleaded
Falconer in penitent tone, as he bent
over and kissed her, at the same time
placing the money in her hand. "Will
that be sufficient for what You want ~
"More than sufficientw she exclaimed
delighuedly. separating the roll Of hank
notes. "Ill take what's left over, and
get You a perfect duck Of dressing
gown and materials to work the lowell
est pair Of slippers you ever saw"
Falconer began to protest that he
stood in need of neither dressing gown
nor slippers, but a reproachful glance
from Louis blue eyes arrested his words.
"Not when / am going to make them
with my own little fngers" she said,
and Edward was subdued instanter.
The following week LOUIS mother,
Mrs. Townsend, arrived, and was atfec-
tionately welcomed by her daughter and
son-in-law. She was thoroughly SEN
sible, reasonable woman, with deal Of
penetration that seemed to divine things
at a glance, and was an acquisition to
any household,
"Don't you think, LOU" she said to
her daughter one day, when the latter
had, in her usual coaxing, half-pouting
style, been urging Edward to some fresh
extravaganza, .'that you may push your
opportunities just too far! Mr.. Falconer
looks very much perplexed and worried
to-day, i think"
"Oh, Edward is the dearest and most
amiabls of men,"
"Yes, Lou, but for the very reason
that your husband is amiable and indul-
| gent to a fault, you should be merciful
and not press him too far. Now con-
slider that baby's cloak which you coax
ed him into getting for Eddie quite an
unnecessary piece of extravaganza.
/
Now, take my advice, and be a little
more reasonable IN your demands"
Mrs. Falconer knew better than to
pout at her mother so she resolved not to
ask her husband for anything in her
presence again; but no sooner was Mrs.
Townsend gone than the old practice
was renewed. Too much occupied with
her own selfish little aims, she did not
notice that her husbands manner was
often strangely furried; there was a
recklessness in his very tenderness; he
refused her nothing that she asked for,
and the little lady availed herself to the
very utmost of his propi tious disposition.
"Oh, Edward" she said to him one
day, as they sat together over their de-
sert, "the charity ball comes off next
Wednesday, and have been made one
OF the lady paUronesses. ] must have a
| pretty dress for the OCCASION"
"Order what you will" he said, lacpn.
ieally, as he arose and left the table.
The evening of the ball Lou was dis.
appointed that her husband did not
come home in time to see her dressed,
but she conld not keep her party wait.
ing and was obliged to 60 away without
seeing him.
Half an hour later Falconer came
home. He inquired of house-m aid
who had been aroused from nap by
the violent Jerking OF the parlor bell, il
her mistress had gone out; and sleepy
as the girl was, she was startled (as she
afterwards averred) "by the look of bi:
| face" as he dismissed her.
He went to his room where little Ed.
die lay asleep, but turned abruptly from
the peaceful picture. The heavy ice Of
despair lay on his heart. Falconer 4
Frost had failed, and he was defaultel
10 the amount of more thousands than
he could ever hope to repay; his good
fortune was gone nothing but beggary
and sin lay before him, and the disgrace
would be reflected on his wife and child
He passed TO his dressing room, turned
the key on the inside, and ten minutes
later the neighbors We're startled by the
the report Of a pistol. They forced the
door and found that to the name OF
"bankrupt" and "swindler," which had
been applied TO him as soon as the failure
was made public, lie had added that o.
suicide.
| They were fearful tidings that reached
his wife in the midst of the festivitie.
and hurried her home; and vainly might
she, in the frantic accents, call on thai
] lifeless form "only to speak to her once
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