Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-01
FOR HER HE SINNED.


His first false step was being taken
captive by the bright eyes of Helen
Clay, his next one was marrying her;
for Helen had been reared in magnif-
icent home, and, during her infancy,
childhood and girlhoOd, not want had
been left unqualified. Consequently,
after her marriage she was selfish with
out knowing it.
Had Philip been sensible enough to
tell Helen the extent of his income be-
fore becoming her partner in the pic
turesque and attractive wedding pro-
cession which one day drew goodly
portion Of the elite to witness and adj
mirc rs it swept up the broad aisle of
the church, their union might have re-
suited differently; for even the giddiest
butterfly of fashion sometimes develops
most wonderful wOmanliness and good
sense when q chance is given her.
But Philips pride sealed his lips SO
efftctually that, up to the date of our
story, Helen had remained in complete
ignorance of his circumstances.
The Young couple had just arisen from
the dinner table, when Helen said, as
she held u lighted taper towards her
husband so that he could light his
cigar:
oh, Phil, | saw just the loveliest
wrap in Arnold's! Every bit of the lace
on it is real! 1t will look lovely with
my brocade dress with jet trimmings.
l told the salesman to send it with the
BILL as | had no money with me.
How much is it, Helen?"
"Only fifteen pounds"
Philip opened his pocket-book, and
assumed look of surprise. Then,
forcing a smile, he turned to his wife
and said:
''My pocket book is in the same state
as yours, Helen. forgot to replenish
it when left the store"
q don't suppose it will make any
great difference, Philip. The wrap
will be sent as directed, of course. But
no one is ever worried about our little
bills. 1t is only poor people that the
tradesmen hesitate about trusting. BY
the bye, did | tell you that madam
bill came in yesterday"
mo, | don't remember your speak
ing of it. But | must hurry away"
said Philip, consulting his watch, ''for
1haye business engagement"
Naughty Philip! not to save even
one evening for your wifen' and Helen
put up her cheek for Philips expected
kiss.
But he took ner pretty face between
his hands, and turned it SO that he
could look straight into her eyes for an
instant before he bent and kissed her
,on the lirS
''Helen, will You always love me?"
he asked i voice that trembled in
spite of all his endeavors to make it
steady.
''Of course [ will. But what makes
you ask me such n strange question:"
just to satisfy my craving heart.
Are you sure that no matter what the
future might bring to us that you will
still have confidence in me? You know
strange things as-are said about peo-
pie sometimes"
You dear boy, nothing could keep
me from thinking you the best and
manifest of any living man in the wide
world.'
Thank you, Helen. Now let me
imagine it is our counting time again,
and let me tell you that love you now
and shall ever love you with the whole
strength of my heart, No matter what
may happen, remember that your hus-
bands fault does not lie in Indifference
TO his wife. Good by, darling"
With q bewildered look upon her
fair face, Helen remained for n while
in mouOnless surprise after Philip had
gone.
Then shaking off the unusual feeling
created by his manner, she went to the
harp and ran her white fingers over the
strings.
But the prelude came to an end, and
she relapsed into reYery without tax
ing up the words of the song which
should have followed.
For the first time in her life q vague
feeting OF unrest and disquiet had tax
en- possession of her soul.
1t was late when Philip returned, and
he then went to the library, and spent
some time writing.
But he was evidently ill-pleased at
his efforts in the epistolary line, for he
tore up sheet after sheet and cast it in
to the flames, at last contenting HIM
self with putting an enclosure into an
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Then, leaving it where her eyes
would rest upon it when she entered
the room, he left the house without the
slightest expectation of ever again set
ting his foot within it.
For Philip had committed q crime,
and would hereafter have to keep in
hiding lest he should be punished.
He had forged the name of the silent
partner in his firm-his mother
brother-an eccentric bachelor OF great
'wealth-and had taken the check bear
ing the well known name to a money
lender, who, having perfect confidence
in Philips integrity, and believing the
story told him of having accidentally
overdrawn his account, cashed it for
him-at a usurious rate it is true-but
Unhesitatingly.