Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-04-01
HOW IT HAPPENED.
By LIZZIE BRADLEY CORNISH.


She was in deep mourning. Only one
week before, she had laid away the re-
mains of her only surviving relative, in
the shadow of the cross-crowned church
over the hill. 1t was dismal prospect
for girl of seventeen, and ono who
was absolutely ignorant of business.
The Fords had always lived in luxury.
But on his dcathbed Mr.. Ford called
Ellie to him: his articulation was impcr-
feet, hut she caught: bad investments,
mortgage bonds. Poor! Poor y
Barker will tell you" A few gasps and
it was over.
All day she had tried to bring order
out of chaos. At last with sigh she
tossed the golden frngcs from her fore
head, as if even their light weight was
m oppression. .......
at is useless" she murmured. 81
can make nothing of anything" Then
suddenly she remembered, Barker will
tell you" The memory came with
sigh of relief.
A servant answered the bell.
Take this to Mr.. Barker" she or
dcred, land wait for an answer"
1t came in less than an hour.
''Mr. Barker will wait upon Miss
Ford at five" She glanced at the
clock. 1t lacked five minutes of the
hour.
Barker was lawyer in the same town.
She had always known him, and she re-
membered that he had been with her
father frequently before she went tc
school for the last time.
AS he entered, Ellie started. She had
thought of him as rather elderly, but
the man who stood before her was OK
tremely handsome, and perhaps double
her seventeen years.
You are kind, Mr.. Barker, to re-
spond so promptly. l did not know
what to do, to whom to turn. can
make nothing of papa's papers" she
sighed YEARLY.
"Of course. What can you know
about law?" and together they turned to
the perplcxing pile.
Barker ran his eye over paper after
paper. and startled look came into his
eyes, keen lawyers though they were.
"Are these ALP he asked.
"a believe so. Papa kept his papers
in that secretary; and, Mr.. Barker, l
know from what he sad, that there
were losses-that | shall not be very
well off. / do not mind" she said
quickly, "other people are poor, why
not ~"
Some losses! Not as well off as she
had bcenm He regarded her qucerly.
Poor child! Did she know that house,
lands, even the costly furniture was
covered with mortgages? No, and he
determined she never should know. He
had no living relatives, and why should
he not do for this helpless girl what he
would have liked some one to do for
sister or wife of his?
There will be something left after
the debts are paid, will there not?"
The pretty pathetic eye looked
squarely into his. He could not answer
this child-woman with evasion. "If
you will trust to me. Miss Ford, will
do my best. Your father trusted me
upon several occasions Che did not
add, if that father had been guided by
his judgment his daughter would not
now be penniless) "and am confident
] know more of the business than any
one else" He waited her reply.
sob, yes. and thank you, Mr..
Barker With a childish, trustful
motion, she slipped her hand - his.
Bankers experience with women was
bounded by aggressive little widows.
and soul-terrifying Sally Brasscs', aud
there was queer little tlutter in his
manner as he bid her goodnight.
MIR. Ford affairs were in a hopeless
tangle. Ruin was inevitable. Such
was Bankers verdict after rcperusal
of the Ford papers Poor little thing
he whispered to himself, "she shall
never know if can help il"
Out of these deeds and mortgages
seemed to start the vision of home
Eden, where certain eyes looked into
his with bewildering love. Bah! What
have sentimental love-dreams in COM
mon with an austere lawyers office?
Il
A puzzled face appeared at the Office
of Barker & Hawkins one day, not long
after.
Il am sorry TO worry you; but see
here! Ellie produced slip of paper
which she held toward him. 1t stated
the existence of a note. covering ten
thousand dollars, principal and interest,
held by one Isaacs & Tobias, brokers in
a neighboring city.
when did you receive this?'. He
avoided looking at the captivating face
as much as possible.
To-day; and, Mr.. Barker, it must be
paid. The ten thousand YOU saved for
me will just cover it Will you do it for
me?"
Yes, Miss Ford. 1t is fortunate,
however, that changed the investment.
BY the new arrangement it has doubled.
You can pay this bill and retain the
same amount"
81 can? How nice! l thought
would have to 90 out as nurse maid or
something. Mr.. Barker, when is your
client coming, who owns the house? /
FRI 40 if / were an intruder, some
aW"
Non are not. The favor is to him.
] have his word for it."
She still fingered. "Mr. Barker, you
have been so kind and good. wish l
could do something for you. If can
ever, will you let me?"
Eyes, Miss Ford"
Ellie left the Office with a nneer dis