The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-02-15
:. at least five hundred dollars"

Don't go on so. Eugene can wait a few
days for the investment. Take mine"
"Bless you'll" sobbed out Miss Parmin-
ter-''bless you! 1 will. 1t will. be per-
feetly safe, and I promise faithfully to
give it back. You've saved me from a
lifetime of misery"
The two friends embraced, aud the
very next day the trusting dressmaker
brought five crisp hundred-dollar bills
her whole fortune-from the savings
bank, and laid them in Miss Rarminter's
claw-like hand, which closed on them
sharply. Then there were more en-
bracing and tears, after which Jane went
to her work, while the shrewd old maid
snapped the money into a safe leather
pockst-book. ond muttered: 'tLittle fool!
I'll fix her."
The night after that, when Eugene
called, Miss Parminter listened on the
stairs. The visit was short, and as he
went out he said: ssWell, Jeanette you've
done an imprudent thing, but 1 suppose
the old cat will give it back. FL come
again in a week"
1ssYou suppose the old cat will give it
back, do your" repeated the lady SO
pleasantly designated, as she closed the
shop door just out of Eugene's ear-shot.
Every night poor Josiah hung about
the sidewalk hoping for some news or
encouragement. He never received any
beyond the curt reminder. "Now I'm
dom your courtin'. Don't you med
die"
A week later Eugene came again, and
the guilty debtor. from that convenient
stairway, heard Jane sob and say: 80,
Eugene I couldn't help it-indeed I
couldn't; she's been such a kind friend,
and she was in such trouble! Only wait;
I'm sure she'll give it back soon.".
'Old grifin!T exclaimed the young
man; then added, fiercely: ''Look here,
you get that money back at once, do you
hearp Get it back!r' and he went out,
noisily slamming the door.
Jane rushed down to Miss Parminter
and cried: go, dear friend, do give me
my money! Eugene is so angry because
I shall lose the chance of making my
fortune! Do give it back"
The old maid sadly shook her head,
shed tears copiously, sobbed aloud, and
declared she'd have Mysteries. She
couldn't return the money yet. She
was in great trouble, and oh! oh! ohr'
Jane drew a cup of tea for comfort.
Neither could swallow any; so with more
tears they parted, Jane to cry all night
long, and the other to recover cheerful
ness at once.
A few evenings after this, as Josiah,
according to his wont, was humbly skulk-
ing about to catch some word of COM
fort, his heart leaped up to meet a smile
on Miss Parminter's face, and a gesture
that brought him toward her. She car
ried him behind the counter, and after
curt explanation, a changing of money,
and the doing up of a parcel, Josiah re-
marked:
81 don't grudge the price, but it's
just trash that won't be of no use to
Jane"
"Now," cried the intriguing old per-
son., indignantly, you're a-givin' your
opinion again. Who's a-managin' this
courtin' AFFAIR.""
"You," Josiah answered meekly, and
went home, docile and subdued.
Presently Jane slipped down stairs,
that consorted i'll with her tear-stained,
quivering face: please would you meet
Mr.. Bracket in my o about noon TO-
morrow"
Certainly" responded Miss Parmin-
ter; 81 amt ashamed nor afraid to see
Mr.. Eugene Bracket anytime or any
Uheres."
The next day, promptly at noon, she
entered James room, saying: "This
bein' Valentines Day, there's a pretty
brisk business. Some folks puts of
buyin' till the last minute. Come, now,
what do you want of me, JaneP"
The answer was a rap at the door. and
in came Mr.. Bracket. Hepaid no heed
to James greeting, but turned, with a
business-like air, directly to Miss Par
minter, and said: 81 have to ask you
for the return of the five hundred dollars
loaned to you by Miss Miller some two
weeks ago"
"You have to ask it! And what have
you to do with her money!"
propose she shall be cheated by any ap-
peal to her feelings"
You don't sayr" responded Miss
Parminter, with her W dignified and
scathing sarcasm-s'you don't say!
Well, Mr.. Eugene Bracket, that money
won't be returned. Miss Miller has
nothing to show for it; there wasn't even
a witness to the transaction. Not0,
then?"
Jane burst into tears, and sobbed out;
SHOW can you be so wicked?--how can
you?"
MI. Bracket made his eyes very small
and his action very large as he ex.
claimed: 81 shall have you arrested,
old woman, for swindling." He moved
to the door. She was there before him.
"Softly, Mr.. Eugene. Ease up a bit,
I've got a letter here that's of interest to
you. 1 spent a whole day down town
a-findin' out how to get at the news that
into it. Come now,'' and she opened o
letter that she had drawn from he1
pocket-.come, now, look over with me
and Wen peruse it together friendly and
pleasant. Come" Then she reaG
aloud: There is no mine in Nevada
known as the Paramount. The ~so-called
prospectus is a cheat, and so is the mar
called Eugene Bracket. who, presumine
on his fathers honest NAME, has been il
many fraudulent schsmes for obtaining
money It's signed by two leading mer
of Nevada. Now, young man, what
that glib tongue of yours got to sayp"
Eugene stood silent and very white
for a moment; then Jane rushed to him
threw her arms about his neck, and criet
out: 81 don't believe it, I don't believ'
my poor Eugene"
With some impatient muttering, he
threw her from him.
eugene, Eugene,'' she sobbed, a
say 1 don't believe it." He turned
toward the door. "Are you going t.
leaTe me?"
80, you little fool, yes"
"But you'll come back?'
NO" Numbered the dainty Eugene
and with an oath went quickly dowl
stairs and out of the house.
Jane shrieked wildly. Miss Parminte
caught her as she fell, fainting, and car
ried her to bed. There the judiciou
friend left her to ''cry it out" By even
ing she paid her a short call and re
marked, cheerfully:
"My dear, you see that man ain