Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-07-20

y
sltion, but Jonas alone was in busi-
ness. Charles lived upon the rent of
his property, and devoted his time to
ladies in general, and to Josie Mer-
rift in particular.
One evening in June they sat to-
gether in the library of Charles fine
house. They had been discussing
some summer plans, and Charles
said:
ssLeave off grinding at that money
mill of yours, Jonas. and come with
me; we shall have pleasant months
cruise"
81 cannot possibly do 1t. To tell
the truth, am in a very tight place,
and it is bad time for raising mon
ey."
''How much do you want"
"About twelve thousand
"Will ten thousand do?"
Eyes; ten thousand would put me
Gut of straits. In fact. ten thousand
now might be worth fifty thousand to
me-
Charles walked to the secretary,
and unlocking it, counted out the
amount in bills, and handed them to
his friend, saying:
''Just give me your l. o. o., Jo-
mas, for two months after date. Will
that be long enough?"
'sYou don't mean this, Charles ?"
"Why, yes, L do, old fellow. 1t
is not much of kindness, after all.
You see, Merritt paid me my quar-
ter's rents to-day, and l shall be sure
to spend all before the quarter is
over if / keep it where 1 can get at
it. In two months / shall be out of
funds, and in the height of the sea-
son. 1t is plan of mine to secure
ten thousand for clearing up in Sep
TIMBER
"Thank you, Charles, will accept
the loan with pleasure, and if you
should need it before, why, just drop
me line. l shall be out of trouble
long before September
The young man then drew pen
and some paper toward him, wrote
out the I. o. u, and handed it to
his friend, observing as he did so,
"Allow me to say, Charles, that il
is foolish to keep so much money
here. Put it with your banker
Certainly. Merritt paid me this
afternoon. 1t was so hot when he
left l thought ! would not go dowr
town until the evening. There is nc
danger. Nobody but you and Mer
ritt and myself knows anything
about it,
Then he lifted the 1. o. u, glanced
at it, and rose TO put it in his secre
tary; but as he was crossing the room
Jonas said: 81 heard that Josie Mer
ritt is to marry Lieutenant Pierce.
In an instant the young mans
thoughts were diverted from his mon
ey affairs. He was much excited a
the information, refused to believe it
and went over and over, with pas
sionate earnestness, his reasons fo
being certain that such thing coult
not be.
"Why," he kept repeating, s.
have known her ever since she was /.
little bit of girl. / carried he
books to school; 1 went with he
to the dancing class; her father has
been my lawyer and adviser / hav,
been as much at home in Merritt
house as In my own. Pooh the thins
is impossible. "Josie, never would
have treated me like that, 1 won't be
lieve it"
$50 and ask her straightforward
question"
81 can't. 1t is too late tonight
and l leave by the noon train to
morrow. ! intended to have tina
matter fully arranged this summer
but l was in no hurry. A love affai
is all spoiled when papa and mamm,
and the lawyer and world come int
it. have told Josie that, and sh
!, and understand one another. Will
you be calling there soon, Jonas?"
81 will try, if you wish it,
"They leave town in few days
but call before if you can, and sen,
me word if you see anything of th
Lieutenant.
81 will. Lock up your secretary
Charles; / see it is still open. ! an
very much obliged-very much"
"All right. You are very welcome
! am just putting ten thousand safe
ly away for when need it."
Charles was much annoyed at wha
g he had heard, but he did not forge
' his secretary. 1t had secret draw
u er, and was capable of being fasten
: ed by three intricate locks. he care
Il fully secured all three, and then sa
down to smoke and think over agai
E the absurdity of Josie caring for an.
y one but himself. In half an hour b