The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-10-10

uUtuiuS uau udppcHcu. iOu Sou Soh-
ceive how an Nious she is to get back to
them. And there's no other inpedi-
ment. That's comfort
another impeachment would have
upset you rather.
81 couldn't have put up with that"
Mr.. Fitzwalker Tookey looked very
grave and high-minded as he made the
assertion. '.But there's nothing of that
kind. It's all open sailing. Now.what
are we to live upon. Just for begin
ningp'
.Not as things are at present, am
sorry to say. To tell the truth, my
third share of the old Stick-in- the Mud
is gone. / had to raise money when it
was desirable that should come with
YOU"
"Not on my account"
"And then did owe something. At
any rate, it's all gone now. 1 should
find myself stranded at Kimberley with
out red cent "
"What can do?''
swell, Twill explain. Poker & Hodge
will buy your shares for the sum named.
Joshua Poker, who is out there, has got
my third share. Poker & Hodge have
the money down. and when 1 have ar
ranged the sale, will undertake to give
me the agency at one per cent. on the
whole take for three years certain.
That II be f1,000 a year, and its odd if
I can find myself again in that time"
Gordon stood silent, scratching his head.
ssOr if you give mo the agency on the
same terms, it would be the same thing.
don't care straw for Poker & Hodge"
81 dare say not"
'But you'd find me as true as steel"
"What little good l did at the Fields
1 did by looking after my own BUSH
ness"
Then what do you proposeP Let
Poker & Hodge have them, and l shall
bless you for ever To this mild APP
peal MIR. Tookey had been brought by
the manner in which john Gordon had
scratched his head. 81 think YOU are
bound to do it, you know" To this he
was brought by The subsequent look
which appeared in John Gordon's eyes.
al think not"
..Men will say So"
81 don't care straw what men say,
or women"
"And YOU to CONS back in the same
ship with me and my wife! You
I, couldn't do it. The Fields wouldn't
receive you." Gordon bethought him
self whether this imagined rejection
might not arise rather from the char
acte of his travelling companions. ''To
bring back the mother of three little
sa,Ated babes, and then to walk in upon
every shilling of property which had
belonged to their father! You never
could hold up your head in Kimberly
again"
II should have to stand abashed be-
fore your virtue?"
"Yes, YOU would. should be known
to have come back with my poor re-
pentant wife. the mother of three dear
babes. And she would be known to
have returned with her misguided hus-
band. The humanity of the Fields
would not utter a word of reproval TO
either of us. But, upon my word, |
should not like to stand in your shoes.
And how you could sit opposite to her,
and look her in the face on the journey
out, don't know"
ut would be unpleasant.
"Deuced unpleasant, l should say.
You remember the old Roman saying:
Never be conscious of anything within
YOUR own bosom Only think how
YOU would feel when you were swelling
3 it about in Kimberly. while that poor
lady won't be able to buy pair OF
boots for herself or her children. l say
nothing about myself. / didn't think
you were the man to do i'll didn't, in.
deed"
Gordon did find himself moved by
the diversity of lights through which
he was made to look at the circum-
stances in question. In the first place
there was the Journey back with Mr.
.Tookey and his wife-companions be
had not anticipated. The lady would
probably begin by soliciting his init
macy, which on board ship he coult
hardly refuse. With a fellow-passen
ger, whose husband has been your part
ner, you must quarrel bitterly or be
warm friends. Upon the whole, he
thought that he could not travel t
South Africa with Mr.. and Mrs. Fitz
walker Tookey. And then he under
stood what the mans tongue would de
if he were there for q month in ad
vance. The whole picture of life, too
ut the Fields was not made attractive
by Mr.. Tookev's description. He wa:
not afraid of the reception which Nigh
he accorded 10 Mrs. Tooaey, but saw
that Tookey found himself able Il
threaten him with violent evils, simpl,
because he would claim his own. The,
there shot across his brain some remi
niscence of Mary Lawrie, and com
parison between her and her life anC
) the sort OF life which man mus
, lead under the auspices of Mrs. Tookey
Mary Lawrie was altogether beyond hi
reach; but it would be better to hay'
her TO think OF than the other TO know
His idea of the diamond-iields was dis
l turbed by the promised return of nj
late partner and his wife.
And You mean to reduce me to thi
, misery?'' asked Mr.. Tookev.
Il don't care straw for your mis-
cry"
/ ..What,
mot for your picture of your misery
do not doubt but that when you hav
been there for month you will b
drunk as often as ever. and just rs fire.
with your fists when woman comes il
| your way"
"Sever,''
"-lnd donot see that am at all bount
: to provide for you and Tor your wife ant
children. You have seen many ups ant
{ downs. and will be doomed to see man,
: more. as long as you can get hold OF
bottle of wine
81 mean 10 take the pledge-I do. in
deed. / must do it gradually, becaus
of my constitution; but | shall do it.