Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-04-16

oAAou SA Mis- OOOpcE udu Sdlu as muCn
as she dared, was not productive of
good. Madame was obstinate and OBJ
durate. Not exactly insolent; she was
never that, to her customers faces;
but she and Mrs. Dalrymple both lost
their temper, and the latter was impo-
lite enough to say some cutting things,
not only in disparagement of madame's
goods, but about the cheating prices
she had been charged. Nine. Dame
reau's face turned sea-green, and the
interview ended by her stating that if
some money was not Immediately fur
nished her, she should sue Mr. Dalrym-
pie for the whole. Selma went away
sick at heart; for she read determine
ton 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 ia chaos, driving to desper-
ate action
chow is this woman to be pacifed?'
she uttered. What a fool I was to
provoke her' Two or three hundred
pounds might do it. Where am 1 to
get them? If she carries out this dread
full threat and appeals to Oscar! Oh!''
she shivered. 81 must stop that.
must get some from him; will try at
once. Ugh! what curse the want of
money is!'
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 it?''
Oscar she said, advancing and
standing close to him, lean you let me
have little money?'
mo, that / can't, Selma. am set
thing up some payments now, and can
only do it by halves. Others I am
writing to put off entirely for the pres
ent''
| He had bent over his writing again,
as if the question, being answered, was
done with.
Oscar, must have it,
| 'What money do you meanp Some
for housekeeping? can let you have
| that
"No, no; for myself. 1 WANT
want-two 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. 'Selina, l
told you before we came to town that
l could not have these calls upon me,
as [ had last year. You know how
very small our income is, and you
know that your e2 travagance has al
ready crippled it. The allowance I
make you is greater than can afford ;
l can not give you more"
"Oh, Oscar, I must have it, she ex-
claimed, in excitement, terrified at the
aspect her situation presented to her.
Indeed l must, even at an inconve-
nience."
"To squander away in folly!"
"No. If it were only to squander
away, might do without it, and can
not do without this. y
Mr.. Dalrymplc looked keenly at her,
and she shrank from his gaze. "Let
me know what you want it for, that l
may Judge of the necessity you speak
Of If this is inconvenient to you, Sc
lima, you must be satisfied with my re-
fusal."
"Well, them she said, goaded into
the avowal: 81 owe it,
cove it! Owe two hundred pounds!
You!"
So utter was his establishment, SO
blank his dismay, that Selma shuddered
inwardly. If her owing two hundred
thus impressed him, what would be-
come of her If ever he learned the
whole truth!
land l am pressed for it, she faint.
ly added. g Pray let me have it, Oscar. y
What have you gone in debt for? .
"Various things, she answered, moi
, looked steadfastly at her, waiting fo1
the truth. "Dress.'
1.-The compact between us was tina
you should not go in debt he said, il
!. a severe tone. "You have behaved il
to me, Selma"
She bent her head, feeling that sh,
had; oh, feeling it terribly, just then.
: Ills this all you owe? Alp"
, 'Ye-es." But the falsehood, a
falsehoods ought, trembled at her lips
Without speaking another word, h
: unsealed a paperin which were incloset
4 some bank-notes, and handed severa
to her, to the amount of two hundred
: pounds. Understand me well, Selma
this must never occur again. Thes
notes had different and urgent desti
, nation"
= what an idiot l was not to ask TO
g the other hundred!" was her menta
= comment, as she escaped from tn
e room. II wonder whether Alice coul'
lend it to me?"
b She next applied to her sister, bu
= Alice could not assist her. And nigh
came on, and she went to rest, no full
+ Their advanced than before.
8 To rest! 1t was mockery of tn
word. Mrs. Dalrymple passed it, part
;; ly in tossing and turning from side t
e side, partly in pacing another, room
}, as her husband had told Alice he ha
t known her to do; and when mornin
= came and she arose, it was with tremt
e ling limbs, parched throat and fevere
}. brain.
r Her whole anxiety was to make u
this money, three hundred pounds; hoI
e ing that it would prove stop-gap fc
o the milliner, and persuaded thatit woul
- be useless to offer less. What was
T. come afterward, and how further stoI
l. gaps would be supplied, she did nc
- now o1apco at That evil seemed