Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-08-06
THE LOST OBLIGATION.

Some men seem to take naturally to
whatever promises to be unfortunate
TO them. and il must have been in
blind obedience to this law that Char
les Day insisted on regarding Jonas
Terry as his friend. There was moths
ing in common between the men but
a love for Josie Merritt, and such a
circumstance is not usually coudu-
Give to friendly feeling.
Charles had wavy brown hair,
pleasant face and fine tenor voice.
Jonas kept his hair cut after some
penitentiary fashion, his features were
thick and commonplace, and he had
a short, stumpy figure. Their mental
differences were quite as great. Char
les was rapid and bright, Jonas slow
and secretive; Charles also was af~
fectionate aud prodigal, Jonas saving
and prudent, and inclined to make a
merit OF always looking out for him
self. Both were young men Of some
fortune and position, bat Jonas alone
was in business. Charles lived upon
the rents Of his property, and devoted
his time to the ladies in general, and
to Josie Merritt in particular.
Que evening in June they sat to-
eethcr IN the library Of Charles fine
house. They had been discussing
some summer plans, and Charles said;
leave of grinding at that money
mill of yours, Jonas, and come with
me; we shall q pleasant months
cruise.
81 cannot possibly do it. no tell
the truth, | am in a very tight place,
and il is a bad time for raising
money"
GLOW much do you want9'
"About twelve thousand.
"Wlll ten thousand dol"
Eyes. ten would put me out of
straits. In fact ten thousand now
might be worth fifty thousand to
me"
Charles walked to hissecretary, and
unlocked it, counted ont the amount
n bills, and handed them TO his
riend, saying;
Just give me your | 0 y, Jonas,
or two months after date. VIII that
be long enough|
"You don't mean this, Charles9"
"Why. yes, do, old fellow. 1t is
not much of a kindness, after all.
You see, Merritt paid me my quarters
rent to-day, and shall be sure to
spend all before the quarter is over il
/ keep the money where | can get 1T.
In two months / shall be out o. funds
and in the height of the season. 1t is
a plan Of mme To secure ten thousand
forccaring up in September
"Thank you, Charles, | viii accept
the loan with pleasure, and if you
should need it before, why, Just drop
me line. | shall be- out Of trouble
long before September.
The young man then drew pen
and some paper toward him, wrote
out the O u, and handed 1t to his
friend, observing as he did so "Al,
low me TO say, Charles, that it is fool
ish to keep SO much money here. Pat
it with your banker. -
Certainty. Merritt paid mo this
afternoon IL was so hot when hJ
left | thought would not go down
town until the morning. There is ac
danger Nobody but you aud Merritt
and myself knows anything about IT,
Then he lifted the / @ U, glanced
tATtltSHlY al IL, anu lDNC W pAl ~ IN
his secretary; but IS he was crossing
the room Jonas said: Il heard TO day
that Josie Merritt is to marry Ljeuteu
ant Pierce
In an Instant the young man.
thoughts were diverted flom Ris mon
ey affairs. He was much excited a
the information refused to believe II
and went over and over, with pass
tomato earnestness, lis easons for be
ing certain that such : thing coulC
not be.
"Why," lie kept repeating, Il have
known her ever since she was litti,
bit Of a girl. | carried her books tC
school; / went with her TO the dane.
ing class; her father has been my law
yer and adviser;I have been at hom,
IN Merritt's house as in my own
Poohl the thing is impossible Josi,
never would treat mt like that.
won't believe it. p"