The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-04

comfort; there are plenty travelling that
way nowadays. BY the way, things look
pretty dark for Moore, I'm told. Hope
he II pull through"
Yes, but if he don't, there's one thing
sure, he won't let anybody lose by him.
Neither gentleman saw the curtains
near them move as they turned away, or
knew that their host had heard their re-
marks. These words were destined to
recur to him in far different scene,
when he should be struggling nightly
with the powers of darkness and tempta-
| ton.
Commencement Day, with its beauti-
full evening, came. Cornelia Gregg was
bride-like in the clouds of lace and tarle-
tan, Topped up with costly flowers, and
few among the enchanted spectators
knew how near her diploma came to be-
ing a farce, though some envious school
mates whispered of copied exercises and
interlined translations.
Gemella Moore and her cousin Laura
wore the same simple Swiss muslins that
had served the previous summer, taste
| fully made over, with flowers from their
own conservatory. 1t is true, some,
knowing Mr.. Moore's reputed wealth,
wondered at their plain. attire, but it was
the mere thought of moment. Though
the youngest in the class, they received
its highest honors, and words of earnest
praise from their Principal in his ad-
dress, ... ft
''Well, mother" said Mella, that night,
as they chatted over the events of the
evening, before retiring, sit is all over,
just as nicely as it can be, and we are
quite as well off as though we had been
dressed like Cornelia; though | must
confess | felt rather plain and overshad-
owed at first. To tell the truth, l have
felt rather badly about our dresses, all
along, though 1 wouldn't own it; but it
wasn't so dreadful after all, and I'm glad
we did not yield to temptation, and buy
new ones. 1t has taught me good les
SON." f-
YES" replied her mother, smiling,
''you are much happier. You have no
thought of useless extravaganza to cloud
the memory of your Graduation Day, or
vision of unpaid bills to perplex the fu-
ture."
They felt this more fully when, few
days later, Mr.. Moore announced to his
family that he thought it best to close up
his business.
II might keep on little longer" he
said, ''but it would only be protracting
the agony. can pay every dollar if /
close now.
Then do so, my DEAR" responded
his wife, cheerfully, :" and we viii con-
slider what is best for all afterwards"
So, one fine morning the world learned
that Mr. Moore had closed up his bust
ness, but there was little else to say, for
he owed no one.
The homestead was Mrs. Moore's, and,
at her request, it was sold, giving her
husband means to open business, in a
modest way, in the western town of FL
mayne, in whose excellent schools both
Mella and her cousin obtained good po-
sitions as teachers. Their new sphere
was humber, it is true, but full of use
fulness and activity, and they were happy
in it and in each other.
1t is laterin the season; there is party
at the Greggs'. Mr.. Gregg has paid no
attention to the preparations for it
IL.
or in fact any of the family proceedings
for some time; even now, though the
guests are arriving, he is at the Office
busy at work that has engrossed him
for days. Looking over his shoulder you
would observe that he is classifying and
arranging his books and papers, as men
do who see their last hour approaching.
The hours fit by, he heeds them no more
than the gay throng in his lighted ooms.
At last he has finished. 1t is midnight.
He laves his burning head face in cool
water and settles to thought. Presently
he arises, takes from his drawer a revol-
yer, sees that it is loaded and LAYS it
upon the table. Then, as by an impulse,
he turns the gas low, opens the shutters.
and looks out. There is faint sound of
far-off music, the moon is wandering
westward through tilmy haze that
makes all things seem ghostly and I'M
real, as if the looker-on had entered some
new world and the old were drifting out
of sight The feeling grows as he gazes;
some subtle, yet familiar influence seems
to steal upon him; he could almost fancy
the breeze brought some faint fragrance
of roses that seem. somehow, to have
been lately seen, yet to have faded long
ago, long forgotten scenes arise before
him, long forgotten voices are in his ear
The years that were seem to rise up and
stretch out their hands to him, crying
softly, ''forsake us not, forsake us not, y
the calm high-foating stars seem whisp-
ering patience! patience! how little is
your life-the years of God are eternal"
1t is long ere he seeks his desk again
and writes hurriedly, as if fearful of
something. Soon he lays two letters be-
sides the revolver then he turns out the
gas.
To his wife and daughters mingled
disgust and relief, Mr.. Gregg did not
attend their party. Their late breakfast
they were accustomed to take alone. but
neither did he appear at dinner Late
in the day an excited group broke open
his office door. fearful of what they
might find there. A revolver and two
letters lay upon the table--the room was
silent and empty.
One letter said to his creditors: Il
had fully resolved to end life which
seemed such a failure; had, as you see,
made every arrangement to do so; but,
in the end, scarcely know how, better
counsels have prevailed. i WtlL not die a