The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-04-04

years old the next time it dawns."
Twenty-Five. You are three years
my senior, then"
"Are you not going?"
'No, must wait to see my uncle.
want to anticipate my salary
again. Now, you need not put on
that wise look, Al, / know that in
your calendar of vices extravaganza
stands conspicuous, but / can't get
along without some comfort in life.
l hear uncle now coming across the
store"
"Well, as l have no special busi-
ness with him will CO."
"Adieul"
1t was not very long conference
between the bachelor uncle and
nephew, who was dearer to him
than any other human being. The
business was soon transacted, and
the kindly head of the firm took
out his pocket-book to replenish
that of his nephew.
"He will have it all when / die, "
he thought, "why grudge him lit
tie of his inheritance now?" He
was about returning the pocket
book to its place, when paused, and
took from it a fifty dollar note.
"Look at that, Ned," he said, pass
ing it to his nephew, chat is the
most perfect counterfeit have seen
for a long time"
Counterfeit ! 1t is admirably
done"
"Put it in the desk. Pm afraid
if l carry it in my pocket-book I
shall pass it, as somebody has pass
ed it on poor Brookes, who is in
great trouble about it."
"Brookes is not often mistaken in
money.
"Not often, but he did not detect
this. 1t was returned to him at the
bank, when he made yesterdays
deposit. There, put it in the desk.
Are you ready to go?"
"All ready, sir. We are engaged
to Mrs. Rutherford's for this even
ing, l believer"
eyes you young scamp, you are
a pretty fellow, trotting me about
at my age to balls and parties"
"Your age! 1 am sure it is disin-
terested benevolence, for I cannot
get a young lady to look at me
when my dear, charming uncle is
present"
Nonsense !"
But while his employer and fel-
low clerk took their way homeward
jesting and cheerfully conversing, it
was in a far different mood that
Alfred Sears sought his humble
home. There was no evening en-
gagement to a fashionable reunion
to hasten his steps, yet he walked
swiftly, his brow clouded by anxiety
and heavy sighs breaking often
from his lips. 1t was long walk
from the crowded city to the small
house on its outskirts, that the
young man called home, but his
step never varied till he crossed the
threshold. Then he paused. In a
moment the door of the sitting-room
opened, and sweet faced girl, some
five or six years younger than him
self, came softly out to meet him.
GAN well ?" he questioned anx-
iously.
"You look very pale, Frances"
at has been one of mothers bad
days, Alfred"
"Sicker?"
"No, but restless and sorrowful.
She has cried nearly all day, walk
ing the room, and wringing her
hands, see again all"-here the voice
of the young girl failed.
"Yes, yes, | know" said her
brother, hurridly. "Are the child
rem here?"
"In the dining-room. Come, your
tea is ready, and mother is a sleep"
"Opiate?"
II had to give it to her"
"Another weary day for you then
tomorrow"
"What is my WEAKNESS compar-
ed to yours? And, Alfred-oh how
l hate to add to your burdens-Mr.
Watts was here to-day"
"Well2n
"He says if he is not paid before
the fifth of the month, when he has
heavy payments to make himself,
he must take legal measures"
"Sell us out Well, it is only one
more disgrace and pain added to
the long list. We must bear it as
we can"
"Is there no way to raise the
money!"
"None, l have exhausted every
resource"
There was painful silence, and