The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-07-22
THE LOST OBLIGATION.

SlolSu VII requiring Jpl'lN i'llg d0 ho
friend. There was nothing in common be-
tween the men but love for Josie Mer-
rift, and such circumstance is not usually
conducive to friendly feeling.
Charles Ii ad wavy brown hair, pleas
ant face and fine tenor voice. Jonas
kept his hair cut after some penitentiary
fashion, his features were thick and COM
monplace, and he had short, stumpy
figure. Their mental differences were
quite as great Charles was rapid and
bright, Jonas slow and seCretive; Charles
also was ailcCtionate and prodigal, Jonas
saving and prudent, and inclined to make
merit of always looking out for himself.
Both were Young men of some fortune and
position, but Jonas alone was in business.
Charles lived upon the rents of his prop
erty, and devoted his time to the ladies in
general, and to Josie Merritt in particular.
One evening in June they sat together
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 have n pleasant months cruise"
81 cannot possibly do it. To tell the
truth, am in a very tight place, and it is
a bad time for raising money"
GLOW much do you wanR'
"About twelve thousand"
"Would ten thousand dor
eyes; ten would put me ont of straits.
In fact, ten thousand now might he worth
fifty thousand to me"
Charles walked to his secretary, and I'M
I locking it, counted out the amount in bills,
and handed them to his friend, saying
Gust give me your |. q. t., Jonas, for
two months after date viii that be long
enough?'
"You don't mean this, Charles
"Why, yes. do, old fellow. 1t is not
much OF Il Kindness, after all, You see,
Merritt paid me my quarters rents to-
day, and shall be sure to spend all be.
fore the quarter is over if keep the
money where can get at it. In two
months shall be out of funds and in the
height of the season. 1t is plan of mine
to secure ten thousand for clearing up in
September
'rhank you, Charles. | will accept the
loan with pleasure, and you should need
it before, why, Just drop me Il line. | shall
be out of trouble long before September
The young man then drew pen and
some paper toward him, wrote ont the |
o. T., and handed it to his friend, OBJ
serving, rs he did so; "Allow me to say
Charles, that it is foolish TO keep so much
money here. Pit it with your banker"
Certainly. Merritt paid me this after.
noon. twas so hot when he left thought
| would not go downtown until the morn
ing There is no danger. Nobody but
you and Merritt and myself knows any
thing about it,
Then he lifted the |. o. L., glanced at it
and rose to put it in his secretary; but a!
he was crossing the room Jonas said: 81
heard to-day that Josie Merritt is to marry
Lieutenant Pierce
In an instant the young man
thoughts were diverted from his money
3 affairs, He was much excited ut the inior
nation refused to believe it, and wen
over and over with passionate earnest
, ness, hi3reaaons for being certain that sucl
thing could NOT be,
"Why," he kept repeating, 81 hav'
known her ever since she was little hi
: of girl. | carried her books to school
/ | went with her to the dancing class; he
, father has been my lawyer and adviser
: have been as much at home in Merritt
; house as in my own. Pooh! the thing i
" impossible Josie never would treat m
like that. won't believe it,"
"Go aud ask her straightforward ques
, ton
y If can't. 1t is too late tonight, and
a leave by the noon train tomorrow ! in
tended to have that matter fully under
4 n. l,,t l IN,
A love affair is all spoiled when papa AM
= mamma and the lawyer and the worl
t come into it, have told Josie that, AM
n she and understand one another, VII
|, YOU be calling there soon, Jonas ?'
II will try, if You wish it,
: "They leave town in u few days, bu
/ call before, if you can, and send me wor
t if you see anything of the Lieutenant"
J. ~ will. Lock up your secretary
+ Charles; see it is still open. | am yer
e much obligcd-very much"
; "All right You are very welcome,
70 am Just putting ten thousand safely ava
S for when need it,"
g Charles was much annoyed ut what h
s heard, but he did not forget his secretary
l. 1t had a secret drawer and was capable {
Is being fastened by three intricate locks III
{ carefully secured all three, and then 81
II down 10 smoke and thinl, over again tn
Is abslIrdity of Josie caring for any one br
If himself In half an hour he was Statistic
c that the thing was impossible, and he ros
y rather YEARLY, determined to sleep upo
J. his faith in her love
d As he passed the table he saw a piece {
IS paper that attracted him ii was Jonas
.. L. lie had forgotten to put II ava!
and it was too much trouble to unlock tn
i secretary again. lie hositated Il momer
>, where to secure it, but almost instantly st
lected place he considered singularl
/ safe, deposited it there and then went
/ bed and to sleep.
If The next day he went to Newport an
IS there waited mpatiently the advent of tn
ic Meuitts Before he got any letter lrol
e Jonas, Josie herself had satisfied hin
e They had charming stroll together /
r. which everything was talked over an
!" which left Charles in what he considere
IS a very happy and enyiable position.
e Nothing married the heaven of the
Il next two months, At the end of that tim
is the reckless lover began to be in want I
10 funds, and rs he had heard nothing irol
e Jonas, hc determined TO 60 to New Ior
s. and collect his |, O. L. He had rot
r. care ON his heart about it until he ha
& searched his secretary again and again an
e failed to find the paper, He lit Gig,
1t and sat down TO think. Then he suddenI
n, tL,t H., IoI co,,nI tba nom,