Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-02

fuller.
His regular duties at his employers
over, he took evening work at home,
sitting alone in the library busy over
accor ats until far into the night.
Specuiations he had regarded with
horror looked tempting as he felt
crushed under his responsibilities,
and any honest means OF attaining q
sudden increase of wealth was eager
ly sought.
The three years of Mr.. Cameron's
stay in Europe was nearly over, when
Laura's uncle and godfather, Law
renee Williston, a wealthy grain
merchant in Chicago, wrote to pro-
pose visiting them, as he had bust
ness in New York, ard had not been
there for many years. Walter was
most unwilling to present himself IN
any false light, to relative who had
always been kind to Laura, but was
overruled, as usual, by his wife, and
Lawrence WIlliston occupied large
luxurious spare room, In what ho
supposed to be Walter Dyar's house.
A table supplied with the choicest
food, children exquisitely attlred, a
hostess always most charmingiy ar
rayed, completed the delusion OF
Walters great wealth, and the old
gentleman was never weary OF cons
graduating Laura upon her worldly
prosperity. .She had not wronged
him when she said he worshiped mons
ey, and her heart swelled exultlngiy
at every fond word to herself or the
children, her hopes of one day inner
ting his own money greatly increased
by his evident approval of everything
he saw in her supposed home.
His return to Chicago, leaving valu-
able gifts of jewelry to each member
of the family, was followed soon by
trouble that Laura met with keenest
misery. Walter broke down under
the strain of overwork, and while he
lay too i'll to give her assistance or ad-
vice, Mr.. Cameron wrote to desire the
house might be ready for his return
by the next steamer.
Already Laura had resolved to re>
turn to her own little home, driven
almost wild by the revelation of
Walters affairs in his delirious raw
ing. Affectionate, If self willed, she
had gone so gradually from one folly
to another tina! she had not realized
the burden she was putting upon her
husband, and his injudicious love had
concealed his anxiety.
But, frustrated by over work, has
wearied brain gave way to fever, and
he raved continually of his debts; his
inability to meet his expenses; his
efforts to see his way clear.
| AL, t.yprlr n laoNyn n
| to narse, while Laura saw about
renting house and unpacking, their
own furniture; but she was brave
energetic woman under the spur of
duty and when Mr.. Cameron came
home, his house, was ready for him,
and Walter had been tenderly con-
veyed to the small and, to Laura's,
utterly comfortless home she had
taken.
1t was a winter she never forgot; a
winter of such bitter grief that her
punishment seemed at times greater
than she could bear. There was the
great task Of putting her house, small
as it was, into habitable order; not, as
before. with Walters strong arms and
cheerful voice to help her, but in in
| tervals she could snatch from attend-
ance upon him, as he slowly crept
back to convalesceuce.
Bitter tears and words of penitence
had told him Of Laura's self reprOach
when he once again awakened to cons
seriousness; but with him the mischief
done could not be hastily repaired,
and he lay very i'll long after his brain
was again clear.
Another trial, and serious one,
was with the children, who fretted for
the luxuries to which they had be-
come accustomed, pined for large
rooms and wide halls, and were found
to have learned deceit and many other
Objectionable accomplishments from
almost constant association with SER
wants.
And Laura herself, when tho fear of
Walters death or insanity was re-
moved, found it was hard to come
back to the small economies of the
planning for every day tn It had once
been her pride III housekeeping. But,
as have said she was brave woman
and she loved her husband and chill
dren with tender, true affection.
Humidity repentant, she tried to repair
the wrong she had done, submitting
patiently to all hardship and priva-
ton, and deeply grateful when once
m ore Walter was restored TO health
and able to resume his business cares.
But it was blow she had not an
ticipated as the price of her folly,
when her Uncle Lawrence, who died
a short time after his return to Chica
IaF l. 49, l-ate, 10.
Walter small collection of valuable
books, but all his money to charity.
A letter was sent to her by her uncle's
lawyer, written while the old gentle
man was i'll, and full of love IN every
line.
Il had always intended to make
you my heiress." he wrote, "but when
| saw your house. and knew your
husband had prospered so far beyond
my expectations, thought my money
was not needed for your happiness,
and that it was nay duty to bestow it
where it would do the most good to
those suffering from poverty You
mus never imagine there was any
want of love for you in the disposal of
my property, and l lam convinced that
you will rejoice that others are bsne-
fitting by the money that would be but
a useless addsiion to your husbands
abundant wealth."
1T is hard, but iust!' Laura said, as
she read the letter. Il deserve my
punishment, and never again, Walter
shall stubborn will oppose your better
judgment"
historical "Reminiscences.