Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-10-06
should be enough? And it is"

cheerful parlor, stitching away at a
little muslin apron for her sleeping
baby, and singing some half-forgotten
melody to herself as she worked.
II wonder what makes Paul so
late" she murmured, as stronger
blast than usual shook the windows,
81 hope it is not any difficulty in his
business matters. He has looked
very grave of late"
The words had scarcely passed
through her mind when the door
opened and Mr.. Felix entered. He
did not speak to his wife as usual.
paul, are you i'll, dearest? What
is the matters"
He made no reply. She arose and
came to his side, reiterating her in
quiries.
"Ask me no questions, Mercy! he
said at length, in tone so strangely
altered that she started at its sound.
"You will learn evil tidings soon
enough"
"Tell me, my husband, are not my
joys yours, your sorrows mine? Sure
ly we have not ceased to be one?"
"MercyW he said rising, IT did not
intend to cloud your happy brow with
any griefs; but it is too late now to
dissemble. l had hoped to outride
the storm of disaster which has
wrecked SO many of our wealthiest
merchants in its whirlpool of failure.
Tomorrow, however, heavy pay
ment falls due. / had relied on re-
ceiving debts from a distant firm
which would fully liquidate the
amount. Instead of the money, the
western mails today bring me news
Of the failure of that firm on which |
had SO wholly depended"
"But can the amount be raised in
no other way p"
"By borrowing, here and there; by
straining my credit to the utmost, and
scraping together every cent of avail
able funds, can raise the sum, all
except five hundred dollars. But it
might as well be five millions. IN
less the whole amount is met, my
note will be protested land l am a ruin
ed, disgraced man. To think that
my whole future life should be dark
ened for the want of a miserable five
hundred dollars"
"And is that all you lack ?"
"All? But what is the use of dwell
ing further upon it? 1 appreciate
your sympathy Mercy, but it is vain"
He sank back on the sofa, clasping
his hands on his closed eyes. He
must have lain there motionless for
five or six minutes, when Mercy's
soft hand was placed on his forehead.
"Dearest, look up a moment. Do
you remember our childhood's
fable of the lion who was released
from the net by the little mouse's
tiny endeavors~
"What of it?" he asked, with a
vague apprehension that Mercy's wits
had been a little unsettled by the i'm
pending misfortune.
81 am the little mouse-you the
shared lion. Here are five hundred
and twenty dollars-take them, and
may they prove useful in your time
of need ~
He sat suddenly upright, staring
alternately at her and the roll of neat
ly folded bills.
"But Mercy, how-when-
"Dear Paul l saved from my allow
ance, few dollars at a time, /
thought perhaps the moment might
come when it would be welcome.
Believe me my husband, it gives me
ten thousand fold more pleasure TO
place it in your hands than to expend
it in crown diamonds"
"My dear wifeW said Paul Felix,
"you have preserved me from ruin.
This crisis once passed, l can bid de-
fiance to misfortunew And at that
moment Mercy seemed to him to
wear the lovely guise of an angel OF
rescue.
Later in the evening, as she sat by
his side, resting on his knee, she
could not forbear whispering, with
touch of loving mischief in her
; voice.
"Paul-whO was right about my
financial abilities, you or -"
"Little teasew said he, laughing.
"But I do not think l ever realized
! before what blessing it is to have
an economical wife !"
He that knows nothing doubts OF
nothing. Do not let your doubts
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