Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-04-07

Lamar. SneltOn is on the verge OF DanK-
aMalk Shelton? Impossiblel He is
considered one of the staunchest mer.
chants in the city,"
"And was But he has lost credit
somehow. He has been on the streets
for days trying to raise money to canoe
most of his urgent debts; end I would
not be surprised if his wife had TO give
up her stylish home before the winter
is over"
"5he is nobody, anyhow. Her father
was only a soap chandler, and have
often wondered at MarkShelton's choice
in choosing her for wife," remarked
Mrs. Lamar, vino had once decided
fancy Tor Mark herself.
Soap chambers are as good as othel
men, provided they are sober and re
spectacle" returned the lady with dia
monds. whose father had once been &
peanut vender, while Mrs. Lamar
ancestors were famous for blue blooc
and reckless dissipation.
81 don't pity Mrs. Shelton, though,
went on Mrs. Lamar, ignoring the eldel
Iady's home thrusts; flor / expect she
is Just like other women In the same sit
uation; Mark made oceans of money
and she spent il"
Doubtless. Just give any woman
that never had anything some money tC
splurge on, and see how fast she'll &C
through with il" laughed the elder lady
as she glided out of the library, her ricf
silks sweeping after her like purple bill
lows, while Mrs. Lamar followed bel
like shadow, in her pale colored tarla
| tan robes.
Poor Alice Shelton had heard every
word, and sat perfectly still, With hei
thin white fingers clasped tightly to
/ gether. Every faculty of her nature
seemed paralyze by the intensity of hel
emotions. Her honest conscientious
heart was shocked at the hypocrisy Of
| two of her most intimate society friends
and with the bitterness was mingled a
feeling of intense pity for Mark, who
had kept all this from her ears, that she
might hear It from some uncharitable
lips. Verify, she thought, tbs world is
a vain show, and those who love 1t are
| but moths huttering about its dazzling
pleasures, only to have their wings
singed by the cruel tongues of flame,
that leap up from envy, malice and
deceit.
MARK shall not fail" she said, rising
up with white, determined face. 81
will show them that his wife is worthy
of him."
Needless of the gayety and warmth
around her, of the binding snow-storm
that was raging without, or the loNe
snow-bound walk that lay between the
Austin mansion and her husbands
warehouse, she hurried up to the dress
ing-room, and wrapping herself up in
cloak and furs went out into the storm
| and bravely faced the binding sheets
of snow that the wind dashed into her
face-a face almost as CHASTITY as the
snow that fell so swiftly and silently on
the half-deserted pavements. The gas
flared cut through murky gas lamps
with y dull, sickly glare hacks and
carriages went whirling by like sheeted
ghosts, and once in while some beiated
pedestrians almost walked over her; but
Mrs. Shelton walked on, her heart too
hard and anxious to think of fear or
fatigue.
When she reached the warehouse
the clock ON distant steeple was just
Ginning / /, and Mark was standing In
the dimly lighted Office, putting on his
overcoat. The porter dozed in chair
before the stove in the outer room, and
Alice stole softly past him and stood
before her husband.
"Alice r.
His eyes dilated in astonishment.
Alice dropped into chair and looked
up at him with a glitter in her blue
eyes that held him spell-bouud
mark, do you think I'm fool p
Her voice had a raspy ring that
startled him. He glanced at her snow
covered wraps and then made dash
for the soaked boots peeping out from
under the edge of her betrayed silken
skirts.
"Alice l"-one boot came off with a
jerk insane whim drove you
out into the street such night as this?''
He flung its mate to the furthest end OF
the room.
'0h, Mark, Mrs Shelton's Temporal
ry strength and courage was swiftly
vanishing, "are you going to fail?'
Mark instantly comprehended the
situation. She had heard the story OF
his financial troubles, probably in some
distorted form, and the knowledge had
almost crazed her He blamed him
self severely for keeping her in ignor-
ance of the truth. He always had i
repugnance to womaniy interference
III business matters, but felt, in Justice
to his wife's general worthiness, he
should have trusted her in this emer.
gency
bush, Alice f" for she was begin.
ming to sob Historically, you must not
be alarmed. If | can raise the money
to pay on a note that falls due to-mor-
NOV | may weather the panic yet"
How much will you need?"
Her little face was uplifted eagerly.
-Four thousand dollars y
is that all ?" with little hysterical
laugh. Then you won't fail; for |
nave five thousand all my own, saved
out of the money you gave me to spend
on the house and myself. All, Mark,
you thought spent it all"
Alice !" Mark took the little shiv-
ering form i'll his arms. "You are
worth your weight in gold ~
Il know it" slyly retorted Alice: but
II has taken you Eve years to find it out.
And, Mark, ifyou cannot cancel the rest
of your debts we will sell the house and
live IN a room or two until the panic is
over, for you shall not fail"
Mark sent for carriage, and they
went hone through the white, noiseless
streets, Alice recounting rs she went the
story she had heard in Mrs. Austin's
periumed library. At the conclusion
she said
1T was cruel of you to kesp me SO
long III The dark, Marx. And never treat
me like fool or child again, for if am
a soap chambers daughter have sense
and feeling and judgement enough to
save something for rainy days"
tits needless to say that Mark redeem
cd his note, TO the chagrin of some Of his
business rivals, who had secretly gloat-
ed over his difficulties; and although
his affection for his wife was never
demonstrative, the care he took of her
was wonderful, for he has found that
the price of good wife is above rubies.
Dangers of busting