Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-08-26

They had removed to one of the
wide side streets, rented plate glass
fronted shop with a marble floor and
elegantly frescoed walls; their gilded
tables were attended by walters; q
perfumed fountain played in the CEN
ter, and tropical flowers bloomed in
the windows.
The public, easily caught by a little
outside glitter, rapidly fell into the
path so skiIlfully opened to them and
nobody's entertainment was complete
unless the banquet was prepared by
Madame Ellie Rubini."
Ruby Phelps had a way of decorat-
ing tables which was entirely her own
AN odd, original method CT catering
"a store OF gastrOnomlc secrets, which
she chose to impart to no one-but
they pleased the cosmopolitan taste.
She had made a. success Of the bust
ness. She was the leader now, the
capitalist, and meek little Mrs. Ely
was borne along resistlessly III her
track, admiring and loyal to the last
degree
II don't know how you've done it,
I'm sure" said the widow. "When |
look back it seems almost like magic.
1t was a lucky day for me, Ruby, when
you came in and ordered that roll and
cup OF tea, wasn't it ~
II don't know of anybody" said old
Mr.. Gibbons, "that has money to put
out at interest, aside from the regu-
lar professionals you know, except
the firm of Ellie Rubin. You might
try themp"
ellie Rubini!" echoed Mrs. Gen.
Gore. "Why those aret the people who
set the table for me when / had my
last fancy masquerade ball, and
charged so shockingly, too! But,
then, they always do things so elegant
ly at Rubini's. And you think they
could lend me the money? | must
have it somewhere, if the general finds
out that I've pawned my diamonds, I
do think he'll murder me. Oh, Of
course, I'll 60 there-at once!"
The room at the back of the salon
was dark st the best of times, which
was natural enough, opening, as it did,
upon a blind wall, and Mrs. Gore told
her tale, without even having a good
look at the face Of the stately lady in
garnet silk.
1t was a tOo-oft repeated story-ex-
travagance, gambling, in a lady-like
way, money borrowed, Jewels put in
pawn. until now it seemed to poor
Mrs. Gore as if the financial world
were opening beneath her feet-open-
ing to swallow her up.
Madame Rubin heard her through
Then she struck a silver hand bell
sharply. Mrs. Gore started.
'Dear mel" cried she. "What is
that for ?''
II rang" said Madame Rubin calm
", ''for lights
A servant glided noiselessly in,
lighted cluster of chandeliers, and as
noiselessly departed. Madame Rubini
looked quietly at Mrs. Cores now
pale face.
II see,' said she, "that you remem-
Der me-"
'It's-it must be-Ruby Phelps
my cousin Ruby, from Mushroom
Hollow" gasped theportly matron.
Exactly" said Ruby. ''Well, it
seems that the tables are turned at
last. You, Mrs. Gore, are in want. |
am the moneyed person. Well, shall
do exactly as you did to me-send
you civilly about your business"
"YOu won't lend me the money!"
Not if it were to keep you from
starving"
There was nothing Of the long-suffer-
ing and angelic about Ruby Phelps.
She had been cruelty hurt and wounded
when her city cousin 'sent her about
her business" The opportunity to
retaliate had presented itself at last,
and Ruby had not been slow to take
advantage Of it.
"But," cried Mrs. Gore, ri shall be
ruined!"
"Possibly, Madame Rubini shrugged
her shoulders; but do not know that
it matters to me-"
Mrs. Gore went into mysteries.
Madame Rubin rang the bell for a.
young woman to bring camphor and
sal volatile to her relief, and calmly
re-entered her cash desk.
When Mrs. Gore went sorrOwfuIly
home, thinking what tale was best to
tell her husband, she found that the
old General had taken the steamer to
America, leaving only an apologize
letter for his wife. Debts at cards,
O1SooSOAOuS SDOCuldIIOLS- uUIuD6I
Of excuses were put forward. But all
that Mrs. Gore knew was that she was
left penniless and disgraced to face the
world.
1t might have been a Nemesis-who
knew?
While Ruby, sitting at the end of
the long brilliantly lighted salon,
where endless rows of chandeliers
seemed to repeat themselves in sheets
of mirror, and the crowd of evening
custom was beginning to flow in,
thought to herself:
eff she had but spoken one word of
kindness to me three years ago,
would have laid down my life for her.
But now"
Assuredly, it was Nemesis!