The Democratic advocate., 1883-07-21

r
his pocket in a half-despairing way.
"What is it father?" Emily drew her
hands through his arm, and looked up anx-
iously into his face.
Nothing that you can help deal" re-
piled the father, endeavoring to rally him.
self and assume an Indifference which he
did not feel. Then he kissed her, and went
hastily out, to founder through the days
dreaded business. We say "founder, for
Mr. Hamilton was in embarrassed circum-
stances. In the morning, when he went
forth to business, it was not often that he
knew where the money to meet the day s
payments was to come from, and usually
one-third of his time was spent in seeking
discounts. The bill just received was from
jeweler to whom he had given his two
eldest daughters, Isabel and Kate, permis-
sion to 90 for few articles, and they had,
in the course of six months, run up an ac-
count of nearly fifty pounds. No wonder
that its receipt by Mr.. Hamilton occasioned
an ejaculation of surprise and pain.
What hope was there of release from
embarrassment under the steadily accumu-
lating pressure of debts like this ?? 1t was
only on the day before that milliners bill
of twenty pounds had given him shock,
from which his nerves yet had low, sick
ening CULVER Like man struggling IN
deep water, he felt that even the smallest
additional burden laid upon his shoulders
must bear him under.
Half an hour after her father went out,
Kate was on her way up stairs to dress for
a walk, when she heard the bell ring. The
sound arrested her steps. Would Emily
90 to the door? Scarcely had the ques-
ton formed itself in her thought, when she
saw Emily emerge from the parlor.
Emily" she called, in low, warning
voice.
But Emily, giving no heed to her sister,
opened the door. A rough man, with
cold, hard features, looked steadily into her
face for a moment or two, and then draw
ing from his pocket folded paper, said
''Be sure that you give this to MIR. Ham
ilton.
Something in his look and tone chilled
her. She felt that, in some way unknown
to her, this man had an evil power over her
father
"What is it" she asked, as the color
left her cheeks.
ut is a summons" answered the man.
"a summons = and she stepped back,
shutting the door almost in the man face.
"Who was it?" asked Kate, calling
down from her position ON the stairs.
"a man to see father" replied Emily,
as she glided into the parlor, where she sat
down trembling. Kate went up stairs to
demonstrate with her mother against the
right of Emily to compromise the family
dignity, while Emily unfolded the paper
Just received at the door, and sought to ex-
plore its meaning. 1t was an ordinary
writ, or summons, giving notification that
an action for debt had been commenced
against Mr.. Hamilton by some creditor
whose patience was exhausted; but poor
Emily explored its written and printed
sentences, and its mystic phraseology, fol
some clear meaning, in vain.
"We shall be the talk of the whole neigh
borhood, mother" These words, spoken
on the stairs, and accompanied by the sound
of feet, caused Emilyto to rise and thrust the
summons into her pocket. AS she did So
her mother and Kate appeared at the door
"There is no need of your going to the
door," said Mrs. Hamilton, kindly. "But
what is the matter, dear?'' The mother 5
voice changed, for she saw that Emily's
face was pale and troubled.
Emily, not yet clear in her own mind as
to what was best to be done in regard to
the summons, evaded the question of her
mother, and turning aside, commenced
dusting the piano, saying as she did so: 81
like the exercise. It's good for ME.
Now, that was a reason against which
Mrs. Hamilton had not a word to say,
YOU'D better wash and iron" said
Kate, with asperity, "if exercise is what
you want"
Emily did not reply, but went on dust
ing the piano.
81 wouldn't go to the door, suggested
Mrs. Hamilton, "that is Ellen's duty.
And your going so often annoys your sis
ters They don't regard it as genteel.
People are so observant, and we must act
with some regard to public sentiment.
''This was left at the door just now, ="
said Emily, acting from the moments i'm
pulse, as she drew the summons from her
pocket, and handed it to her mother.
Mrs Hamilton unfolded the paper in a
hurried manner, and turned pale as she
glanced at the contents
What is it ?" asked Kate.
Something for your father" replied
Mrs. Hamilton, in subdued voice, as she
went from the room. Kate stood a few
moments, and then followed, leaving Emily
without further interference.
Two hours later in the day, Kate and
her sister Isabel, two snowy girls, dressed
in costly and attractive manner, went
forth to exhibit themselves and win admi-
ration. They did not fail to win atten-
ton; as to the admiration, we cannot speak
with assurance. After promenading for
an hour, they stepped into the shop of a
jeweler-the same who had, on that very
hIOlHln 1uI HLSHcu GlGlT ldIuGr WIFI d lOuS
BILL Heretofore the jeweler had been ex-
ceedingly polite, and anxious to have them
purchase; but he seemed rather Indifferent
on this occasion, and displayed his goods,
as asked for, in almost total silence
Both Kate and her sister felt this change;
but not the remotest suspicion of the cause
entered their mind.
"Isnt this elegant?'' said Kate, taking
up an opal ring.
Beautiful p replied Isabel.
''What is the price ?" asked Kate.
Give guineas,' answered the jeweler,
reaching out his hand to take the ring.
But Kate slipped it on her finger, and
gazed, like one fascinated, into the fame
that quivered in the heart of the gem.
II must have an opal, she said. "And
this is such very fine stone!''
eyes, miss, for small opal, one of the
finest 1 have seem
"Charge it to my father" said Kate
But the jeweler answered. "Hadnt