The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-01-12
.TEank you for telling me. Selma.

"Thank vou for telling me. Selma.
/ was not thinking 10 remain
He passed into his dressing-room. "a
he spoke. closing the door, and Mrs.
Cooper entered.
Il come from Nine. Damereau,
she began, taking the chair that Selma
pointed to. ..She hopes -
.For goodness sake speak low in.
terrupled Mrs. Dalrymrle. in ill-con-
cealed terror MIR Dalrymplc Is only
in the next room, and do not wish
him TO hear all my private affairs.
These London walls are thin. She
wants money. suppose.
'.She hopes. madam. that You will
make it convenient To let her have
some. said Mrs. Cooper. sinking her
voice to whisper "a small portion
of the bill.
Il expect / shall soon be able to do
So replied Mrs. Dalr,mple. 'Just
now, | can not.
Only a few hundred pounds" she
said. THAT is but tritiinr. compared
with the whole sum. Which amounts
now To-
..Oh. | know wha. it amounts to;
can guess it near enough hastily in
terposed Mrs. Dalrymple. I'm the
course of week or two will sec what
l can do"
Poor Selma. at her wits end for ex-
cuses, had said. lin the course Of a
week Or two," so many times now that
Nine. Damercau had got tired OF hear
ing the phrase.
Mrs. Cooper hesitated, not much lik-
ing her errand. '.She babe me say,
madam. that she was extremely sorry
to cause inconvenience. but that she
can not execute the order You gave to-
day unless she previously receives some
money!
Not execute it, uttered Selma. with
flashing eyes. What do you mean by
saving such a thing to mca'
MADAM. / am but the agent OF
Mime. Damereau. can only speak az
she requires me-"
True answered Selma. sof.ening;
lit is not your fault. But | must have
the things. You will get them for me,
will You nota' She said. in an accent
Of entreaty, feeling that she was speak
ing to a gentlewoman, although one
who but held n situation at millincr's :.
''Oh, pray use Your influence! get her
to let me have them.
Mrs. Cooper stood in distress, for she
was one Of those refined spirits who
can not bear to cause or to witness
pain. If it depended upon me. in
deed You should have them she an
swercd. .but have no influence Of that
nature with Mime. Damerean. She
is not one to allow the slightest inter-
ference, on my part, between her and
her ladies: were ! to attempt it l might
lose my place in her house, and be
turned OUT again to struggle with the
Has it been Il harsh world to you?"
inquired Selma. pitylngly.
.'Oh, yes was Mrs. Cooper's an
swer, .or should not be where ] am
now. And am thankful to be there"
she hastily added; Il would not seem
ungrateful for the mercy that has fol-
lowed me in my misfortunes.
Il think misfortunes are the lot Of
all. spoke Selma. What can / do to
induce Nine. Danereau to fnrnishme
these things?''
Perhaps you had better call and see
her yourself, madam replied Mrs.
Cooper, relarsing into her ostensible
position. Il will try and say word
to her tonight that may prepare her. :"
Il will see l.er tomorrow. Thank
you, replied Mrs. Dalrymplc. ringing
for Mrs. Cooper to be shown out
Mrs. Dalrymple finished dressing.
and went forth to the evenings gayety
with what spirits she might On the
following day she proceeded to Nine.
but the interview. al
though Mrs. Cooper had said as much
rs she dared. was not productive Of
good. Madame was obstinate and OBJ
durate. Not exactly inso,ent: she was
never that. TO her customers faces;
but she and Mrs. Dalrymplc both lost
their temper, and the latter was inl,o-
lite enough TO say some cutting things,
not only in dispara cement of madame 8
goods, but about the cheating prices
she had been charged. Nine Dame
reau's face turned sea-green, and the
ended by her stating that if
some money was not immediately fur
aished her, she should sue Mr.. Dalrym-
pie for the whole. Selma went away
sick at heart: for she read determine
lion on the incensed lips of the French
woman.
Proceeding home, and entering her
own room, she threw off her things,
and sat down to think. She did not
sit long; her mind was in . state that
forbade it-a chaos, driving to dcspcr-
ate action.
GLOW is this woman to be pacilied?'
she uttered. What fool | was to
provoke her. Two or three hundred
pounds might do it. Where am l to
get them? Ii she carries out this dread
ful threat and appeals to Oscar! OH"
she shivered. Il must stop that.
must get some from him: | will try at
once. Ugh! what curse the want of
money isl
She descended the stairs and entered
The dining-room, where her husband
was sitting. He was at the table,
writing letters, and seemed to be in
the midst of business and accounts.
Oscar
He looked up. "What is ita''
Oscar" she said, advancing and
close to him, lean you let me
have little money!"
mo, that | can't, Selma. am sc t.
Ting up some payments now. and can
only do it by halves. Others ! am
writing to put off entirely for the pres
emit
He had bent over his writing again,
as if the question, being answered, was
done with.
Oscar, / must have it.
What money do YOU mean? Some
for housekeeping? l can let you have
that"
mo, no; for myself. ] want
hundred pounds she said,
Jerking it out. She did not dare to
say three.
He put down the pen, and turned to-
ward her in displeasure. Selma, l
told YOU before we came to town that
] could not have these calls upon me,
as l had last year. You know how