The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-11-24

vally was punctuaI with my shaving
water and if the cOachman brought around
the carriage in time. Then he told me l
was drunk, which was lie. l told him l
didn't have money enough to get drunk,
and then he paid me what was owing
and said l needn't set foot in their estab-
ishment again"
ooh, Dick,'
Now don't begin oh Decking, because
won't stand it. / amt got to be answerable
TO you for what l do; you may leave your
blessed old diapers, if you like, without
me saying anything"
Il don't know how we should live II
did" said Mary, bitterly.
well, you needn't trouble about me;
I'm going away from here"
"GOing away? WhereP
THAT don't matter to you. I'm not
going to be a burden on you, as you seem
to think 1 can do for myself"
II never said you were burden Dick,
dear Dick, don't 90 away from me. Why,
we've been together ever since we were
little children"
But he was resoIute, and Mary thought
sadly Of having to tell Ruth that he was
gone.
She'll blame me She'll think it's my
fault" thought Mary.
And Ruth did blaIae her you shouldn't
have spoken to him when he was in
trouble" she said, with newly-developed
ferCeness. whats the use of badgering
a man at a time like that?"
Poor Mary! she had never badgered any
one in her life but she felt half grateful
TO Ruth for her angry partisanship of
the man she herself was ceasing to be-
lieve in.
Dick had gone, taking his belongings,
and he made no sign. Mary would have
been glad to hear wOrd-even an angry
wOrd-from him. She would have been
glad to see his idle, useless head pressing
her sofa pillow again. What she would
not have been glad of was to know that he
met Ruth every Saturday night, and
walked with her, and babe her not tell
Mary of his whereabouts, because Mary
was dead set against him, and that before
they parted nearly all Ruth's hard-earned
money had been transferred from her
pocket to his, the girl scarcely keeping
sufficient herself for the weeks food and
drink and shelter. No wonder that the
pale cheeks grew paler, the slight form
wasted almost to emaciatiOn. Mary's
heart ached for her friend, and she guessed
a little, though not all, the mischief at
work
you're getting ready for sick-bed,"
Mary said to her one day. whats the
matter? Are you fretting after Dick? All,
huIu, Ill dlIdlOl TIC > uOG w VI JIA ~.
Il don't desire to talk about him." said
Ruth, lOftily; "but this 1 will say I don't
consider you're acting a sisters part by
him. If you can't do anything to help,
you might at least keep from abusing
him"
"HOw do you know he wants help?"
Mary asked, sharply. "Is he sponging
upon your
Ruth turned away angrily, and from
that time a GOODNESS sprang up between the
two 1t was not Mary's fault She felt
very pitiful for the girl whose misfortune
she seemed to have had a share
in bringing about; but Ruth re-
fused all offers of friendship and sym
pathy She even accused Mary once of
being spy upon her, and soon after an
nounced her intention of quitting her pres
ent situation.
"What are you going to do?" Mary asked,
fearful of she knew not what.
81 can't see that it matters to you. How
ever, don't mind telling you. lam going
to Mr.. Cartright's," naming a shop at
some little distance.
"Why, Ruth, it's not half such good
place as this"
isn't it? The pay is better, and I don't
care for hard work and long hours if l get
more money"
She felt the need of money sorely. She
had discovered her lovers place of resi-
dence, and now, besides the sums he eX-
torted from her. she took him from time
to time presents of dainty nOurishing food.
At first he had protested vigorously against
her visiting him, a delicacy of feeling at
which, in spite of her blind alteration for
him, Ruth secretly wondered But when it
was arranged that she should only come
on certain evenings and never by any
chance at any other time, he grew quite
anxious for her and her gifts, and chided
her if she failed TO appear.
at was only that 1 didn't want you
when my place was in disorder" explained
the willy scOundrel. cts poor enough, but
l like to have it neat and tidy when
pretty young lady honOrs me with a call"
As time went on, anxiety and depriva-
ton and love told more and more upon
Ruth's fragile constitution. Meeting her
by chance one day, Mary was shocked at
the change in her.
you're just killing yourself Ruth" she
said, angrily. Il didn't think you'd be
such a fool Won't anything cure you of
your fOlly?"
"Nothingu make me turn from man
because he's down in the world, if that's
what you mean. If things had gone right
we should have been man and wife before
now"
"Bahp said Mary, scornfully. "How do
you know he doesn't get money from other
women as he does from you? Well, there,
l didn't mean to vex you. Goodness
knows you've enough to bear. But
doesn't it seem strange that he should be
so keen against seeing me if it WASH, t thaassST
was something he was afraid f. nv find !
ing out? / swear to- IN. Ruth. I never !
said harsh wPdStO the boy in my life" |
TO pgN9 how unjust was Mary's sus-
5Tcf0ns Ruth tried very hard to persuade
Dick to receive a visit from his sister. But
lie was obstinate. If she could spare him
my money she might send it by Ruth, but
lie wouldn't have her prying and poking
ntO his affairs. And don't let her set YOU
4gainst me, Ruth" he concluded, cor l
lOn't know what would become of me-"
Ruth promised tearfully.
"It's no good, Mary" she said, che don't
eem to like you to know about his pow
rty Not but what if you could spare
i'm half-a-sovereign it 'ud be welcome"
Haf-sOvereigns and shilIings and six
ences grew to be more and more welcome.
Dick sometimes called on Ruth in business
ours now, proceeding which caused the
Their young ladies at Mr. Cartwright's to
iggle very much and to chaff Miss Stew
rs about her beau
Can't ever see you alone?" asked Dick,
entimentally. Il don't want all those
iris smirking and watching"
D.