Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-06-13
THE LOST 1. o. U.

4
as friend. There was nothing in
common between the men but love
for Josie Merritt. and such circum
stance is not usually conducive tG
friendly feeling. Charles had wavy
brown hair, a pleasant face, and fine
tenor voice. Jonas kept his hair cut
after some penitentiarv fashion, his
features were thick and commonplace
and he had a short, stumpy figure
Their mental differences were quite
as great: Charles was rapid and
bright, Jonas slow and secretive
Charles also was affectionate and prod.
igal, Jonas saving and prudent and in
ciined to make merit of always look.
ing out for himself. Both were young
men of some fortune and position
Charles lived upon the rent of his
property, and devoted his time to the
ladies in general, and to Josie Merritt
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 /:
Leave off grinding at that money
mills of yours, Jonas, and come with
me; we shall have pleasant months
cruise"
al cannot possibly do it. To tell the
truth, l am in very tight place, and
it is bad time for raising money"
@How much do you want ?"
about twelve thousand"
@Will ten thousand do?"
ayes; ten would put me out of
straits. In fact ten thousand now
might be worth fifty thousand to me. !"
Charles walked TO his secretary, and
unlocked it, counted out the amount
in bills, and handed them to his friend
saying:
AUST give me your l. o. u, Jonas,
for two months after date. Will that
be long enough?"
"You don't mean this, Charles p
"Why, yes, l do, old fellow. It is
not much of kindness, after all.
You see, Merritt paid me my quarters
rents to-day, and | shall be sure to
spend all before 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 Septem-
ber."
THANK you. Charles. / viii accept
the loan with pleasure and If you
should need it before, why just drop
me line. | will be out of trouble
long before September"
The young man then drew a pen
and some paper toward him, wrote
out the /. O. u, and handed it to his
friend observing as he did 50. "Allow
me to say, Charles that it 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
Z thought / would not go downtown
until the morning. There Is no dam
ger. Nobody but you and Merritt and
myself know anything about it."
; Then he lifted the J. 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 to-day that Josie
Merritt is to marry Lieutenant Price"
In an instant the young mans
thoughts were diverted from his
money affairs. He was much excited
at the information, refused to believe
it, and went over and over, with pas-
sionate earnestness, his reasons for be-
ing certain that such thing could
not be.
"Why," he kept repeating, II have
known her ever since she has been ii
little bit OF girl carried her books
to school; went with her to the danc-
ing class; her father has been my law
yer and my adviser, | have been as
much at home in Merritt's house as
in my own. PoohI the thing is impos-
sible. Josie never would treat me
like that l won't believe it."
"Go and ask her straightforward
question"
Il can't 1t is too late tonight, and
/ leave by the noon train tomorrow. |
intend to have that matter fully under
stood this summer, but | Was in no
hurry. A love affair is all spoiled
when papa and mama and the lawyer
and the world come into it. | have
told Josie that, and she and We under
stood one another. Will you be call
ing there soon, Jonas? ?"
Il will try, II you wish it.
"They leave town in few days, but
call before, if you can, and send me
word if you see anything OF the lieu
tenant"
Il will. Lock up your secretary |
see it is still open. am
very much Obliged-yery much
"All right. You are very welcome. |
| am just putting ten thousand safely |
away fow when need it.
Charles was much annoyed at what |
he had heard, but he did not forget his
1t had a secret drawer, and
was capable of being fastened by three
intricate locks. He carefully secured
al three, and,then sat down to smoke
and think over again the absurdity OF |
Josie caring for any one but himself. |
In half an hour he was satisfied that |
he thing was impossible, and he rose
rather wearily, determined to sleep
lpon his faith in her love.
As he passed the table he saw piece
If papec that attracted him; it was
Tomas /. o. U. He had forgotten to
put it away, and it was too much
rOnble to unlock the secretary again.
He hesitated moment where to Sc
cure it, but almest instantly selected o
place he considered singuiarly safe,
deposited it there, and then went to
bed and to sleep.
The next day he went to Newport,
md there waited impatiently the ad-
rent of the Merritts. Before he got
my letter from Jonas. Josie herself
lad satisfied him. They had a charm
ng stroll together, in which every
hing was talked over, and left Charles
n what he considered very happy
md enviable position.
Nothing marred the heaven of their |
lext two months. At The end of that
lme the reckless lover began to be in
want OF funds, and as he had heard
lothing from Jonas. he determined TO
20 to New York and collect his l. O.
]. He had not care on his heart
bout it until he searched his secre-
ary again and failed to find the paper.
lie lit cigar and sat down TO think.
Then he suddenly remembered that he
lad hid it. He even remembered
he little laugh of delight with which
,e had put itin such capital place.
n