The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-01-19

at her for some moments before he
spoke.
what il the amount Of my wife's
debt to your
.Ah. it is-but l can not tell you
quite exactly. The last bill went in to
her was four thousand and twenty-five
pounds
He had an impossible face. rarely
showing emotion. 1t had probably not
been moved to it half dozen times in
the course of his life. But now his lips
gradually drew away from his teeth,
leaving the gums exposed, and red
spot appeared upon each cheek.
"What did you say? How muchP"
-Four thousand and twenty-five
pounds equally answered Madame,
nance. ..And there have been few
trifles since. and her last order this
week will come to ninety pounds. II
you wish for it. exactly, SIR" added
Madame. catching at an idea Of hope,
Il will have it sent in to you when ] go
home. Mrs. Dalreemp has the details
up to very recently"
-Four thousand pounds!' uttered
Mr.. Dalrymple. in a sort of paralyzed
manner. when could she have con-
tracted it?'
Last season, sir. A little in the vim
ter she had, and little this spring; not
much"
He did not say more. save a mutter
which Madame could not catch. She
understood it to be that he would speak
to Mrs. Dalrymple. The maid re-
turned, protesting that her mistress
was not in the house. and must have
changed her mind and gone out; and
Nine. Damereau. thinking she might
be gone out for the evening, and that
it was Of no use waiting, made her adieu
to Mr.. Dalrymple with the remarkable
courtesy several times repeated.
He was sitting there still, in the same
position, when his wife appeared. She
had entered the house stealthily, as
she had left it, had taken of her
things, and now came into the room
ready for tea, as If she had only been
upstairs to wash her hands. Scarcely
had she reached the middle Of the room,
when he rose and laid his hand heavily
on her shoulder. His face, rs she
turned to him in alarm, with is drawn
aspect, its glistening eyes - mingled
pallor and hectic, was SO changed that
she could hardly recognize it for his.
A fear crossed her that he had gone
mad. Oscar, you terrify mer' she
shriekcd out
What debts are these that you
owc?" he Kissed, from between his
parted lips.
Was the dreaded moment come, then!
She shook in his grasp, and q low moan
escaped her.
-Four thousand pounds to Dame
reau, the milliner! How much more
to othersp'
"Oh, Oscar, If yon look and speak
like that, you will kill me, she uttered.
Forgive me this, and my life's repent
ance shall atone for it.
Il ask how much MORE" he repeat
ed, passing by her entreaty as the idle
wind. TELL me the truth, or l will
thrust you from my home and adver-
tise you"
She strove to sink down to hide her
face on the ground; she would certain
II have sunk there but for his powerful
grasp. He shook her roughly by the
arm. and repeated the question:: ''How
much?"
..Six thousand pounds-in all
about that. Not more. think"
He flung her arm from him with q
jerk, and she sank down on the carpet
with her face on the sofa, and sobbed
and moaned.
"Are you prepared to go out and
work for your living as must do?' he
painted. Il have nothing to keep you
on. and shall not have for years. II
tthey throw me into a debtors prison
tomorrow. to languish there. ! can not
help it."
do not reproach me-" she moaned;
Il have suffered much. You have told
me was restless, as one who had COM
United a crime; you know now what
the crime has been"
"You suffer- he scornfully ejacu-
lated. "When up to this time. this
very week. you have been augmcnting
your debt recklessly! Stop your dis
play Of tears; crocodiles can shed
them"
She only sobbed the more.
Il was . fool to marry into your
branch Of the family" he went on,
stamping his foot, .'for = mania at.
tends it. Your uncle gambled his
means away and then took his own
life; your father hampered himself
with his debts and remained poor; your
brother followed in his uncle's wake
and now. madam. the mama Is upof
your
Mr.. Dalrymple stopped. for thu
servant appeared at the door with thu
tea-urn. Mr.. Dalrymple motioned
him away. mo tea tonight" h.
authoritively exclaimed; I'VE do MOI
require it." And he flung the door to
after the man.
| Mrs. Dalrymple did not move. Blu
every now and then she sobbed out en-
treaties to her husband for forgiveness.
1t was just as though he heard her not
His first explosion Of passion over, h,
smothered it IN silence and never
spoke, but he paced the room with
angry strides.
After while Mrs. Dalrymple gath
cred herself up, and left him. Som,
time after, she heard the drawing-roon
bell ring, and then her maid came u
to her, tossing and indignant.
''Ma'am! l must say this is YER,
sudden"
Mrs. Dalrymple buried her face owe
. drawer, which she pretended to b.
looking in, and strove to command he
voice to indifference.
"What is sudden?"
Master has ordered me to come an,
pack up. He says you must be off t
the Grange with morning light.
asked him how l was to pack up to
night, with you and him in the room
asleep, and he said might settle tina
with you. but that he should not be i
it."
| Mrs. Dalrymple, conscience-stricken
had nothing to answer.
| HE says, too, you will not want m
beyond the month, ma am. And tina
If like to leave at once, and stop i
town and look out for a place, he
, give me a months board wages. It.
the first time as ever was dismissed
in a summonary way, like this" adde
/ u n