The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1888-10-18

j UOu0. tAOuSuC ~ WIS UIie great people,
mean people in business, or estates, that
failed"
.Well, have not been in businesss"
las secretary, and you have salary.
How can 9 man with a salary fail!a
"Quite easily. Suppose the Summit fails?
My salary would stop"
i THAT isn't failing, is ito Then Pompey
might fail, il he didn't get his pay for brush
i ing your boots.
Mr.. Norcross gave contemptuous look.
"That shows how much you know about
business"
! II never did know about your business; nor
does anybody, believe. ! never could
| understand how, with your little property.
you had these transactions as you call
them, where you owed people and people
owed you so many thousands"
ut is not necessary for you to know.
/ Women can't understand these things.n
9But women feel their effects, and it's q
pity they could not learn about what con-
Germs them"
"Will it change your situation at once?'
asked Mrs. Norcross Of her brother.
Il can't say; probably not at once; but
without some aid, all have must CO."
"What! the house," exclaimed Irene
"Yes-the house, Marcia, and the furni-
ture We shall be stripped"
"The deuce!' said George.
Heaven help US! what shall we doc"
/ II haven't had time to form any plan. ]
trust, indeed, that Heaven will help us, as
you rather lightly wished"
/ His face wore touching look of faith and
resignation, while at the same time his hand
\ <;cfc
book
The conversation was disagreeable to
George, and he sauntered off to the draw
ing-room.
Mrs. Norcross inwardly determined to re-
turn to her home, or at least to go elsewhere
in the city, so as not to be burden to her
brother in-law; but she remained silent Mr..
Norcross balanced his knife, sliced his bread
into figures, then hummed and beat tattoo
upon the table-sure indications of forget
/ fulness in one SO scrupulous as he. Atlength.
with bland voice, but sharp inquiring
eye, he said
"How is it about this painter, Irene? Are
you going to marry himg'
She looked fixedly, as she replied
/ "Why do you asks You know I am going
to marry him."
.Oh, it's settled, is its You know. sister.
you have had similar intentions before-sev-
eral times, in fact-intentions that haven't
come to much"
She did not answer further flush of
anger came, then went, leaving her pale face
with rather stern expression.
"While was prosperous, I was not dis
posed to be mercenary; though did think
you were not worldly-wise. Now that am
destitute you can see that to marry man
not worth a dollar, and with a precarious
profession, is not what it would have been, y
/ "Mr. Oakhurst earns good income, doesn't
hep
"He hasn't sold picture, except to friends
whom persuaded to buy"
/ "You have friends and influence still?"
Il don't know; a mans friends don't last
! long after his money is gone. Besides, no
body wants to buy now. Raphael himself
couldn't sell picture here till times improve.
A painter is pretty butterfly for fine
weather; what is he to do with his aimsy
wings in such hurricane as thisw
] u think understand you, Brother Will
lam. You begin afar off; but know what
you are coming to. You want to bring up
| that odious Cotton again-a man whom
hate, and whom you yourself would show
out Of doors, like vagrant, if it were not
for his money!"
The effort exhausted her. and she breathed
painfully.
"You think yourself quick. I haven't
mentioned Cotton. In fact. you have treated
him in such way that am quite sure he
would never trouble himself to be even civil
to you again."
| nm Glad IF it-fho foo1tN
"Sister Irene, I have borne much from
your turbulent temper You are a spoiled
child. Fortune has let you have your owl,
| way hitherto; so much the worse for you
| But circumstances have changed. can no
longer supply you as though you were a
duchess. In fact, don't know what may be
before US hope no actual want. [Another
| grip of the pocket-book.] But advise you
to consider whether it is for the interest of a
dependent woman to go out of her way to
! thwart and insult me-"
"You would compel me, then, and threaten
starvation as the alternative?"
"What odiously blunt language you use!'
j Il only translated your roundabout phrases
as understood them"
"You need not be violent"
"You cannot cajole me by soft words,
/ Wneh your purposes are so obvious. You
think Cotton may save the wreck of your
fortune; and you are willing to sacrifice me,
II he were ten times the brute he is, to further
your ends. But shall marry Oakhurst."
"Oakhurst will be a powerful protector!
doubt If he can raise money enough to pay
the clergyman for marrying you He will
be without shilling in month. If be is not
now Go to him, Sister Irene. ! would
now, You can live in his attic studio, you
know. In such a romantic place you would
never be hungry, Of course"
Mrs Norcross interposed
"Don't, Williaml This is not the way"
1 lrene's eyes flashed through her tears, o.
she answered.
"You say you are ruined-that the house
and furniture must go. How much better
off shall be here's"
1Well, you have your choice"
"And when the time comes shall take it.
Sobs and tears followed, but her lips were
firm and her hands clenched.
"As you please, sister"
"You come home illtempered, and the rage
which you could not or dared not give vent
to in the street you pour out here"
perhaps you would have been pleased if
had not come home at all?"
"Im sure we should have been quite a.
| happy without YOU"