The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-15


OF course she noticed it, and, pressing closer
to him, she asked softly what was troubling him.
"Nothing- :" he replied, trying to
speak carclessly.
"But there must be something, Algy,n she
persisted. GAIL these troubled looks and sighs
do not arise out of 'nothing.'n y
cit is only some trifling worry, Bee, darling!'
he said, with il-assumed lightuess of tone. ~
did not know that had let itappear in my face.
But will try to look more cheerful, for l could
never think of bothering you with my annoy
ancesw
ooh, Algy," she murmured lovingly. "Do
not say that There is nothing / desire more
dear, than to know all your troubles and vexa-
tions. Perhaps l can help you-at any rate,
can comfort you"
''Yes, sweet" he replied, using that soft, ca
ressing tone with which he had already deceived
scores of other women. "You can comfort me,
certainly. Your dear words are always as sooth-
'ng to me as balm. But help mo one can help
me you least Of all ~
"Oh, why ?" she cried, in evident distress 81
am the one before all others to help you. You
know there is nothing nothing would not do
for you'
81 am sure of it, darling ~ be answered, kiss
ing her. "But the help which l require is pre-
cisely of that sort which man cannot accept
from q womanw
"What do you mean? she exclaimed. 81 do
not understand. Tell me what the trouble is"
"No, no, little woman" )" he returned twill
only be to vex you for nothing. Come, let us
talk of some more cheerful topicn'
"Tell me-tell me, Algyn' she persisted, with
passionate fervor, as she nestled yet closer to
his side. elise l shall think you do not love
me bit !"
''Well,' he said reluctantly ''as you press
me, darling, and your word is law to me, will
tell you. The trouble in which l am involvedis
one of money!"
''Is that all ?' she cried. 81 was afraid you
were going to say something worse"
''Worse?" he said. Nothing could be
worse-to man in my position. Have you
heard of Saccharini, the money-ender ~
''Yes, l think have,' she replied. SIS it he
to whom you are in debt, Algy?'
''Alas yes" he admitted 81 have foolishly
borrowed from him at an exorbitant rate of in
terest, and now l owe him a larger sum than
can possibly hope to pay. The worst of it is
that one of my bills falls due next week, and
| have not a penny to meet it with !"
GLOW much is it for? ?" she inquired.
"Three Thousand pounds" he answered, with
a hopeless sigh"
"And what will happen if you do not pay
it?" she asked.
'Happen ~ he repeated, with a little shrug
of his shoulders. "Saccharini will have me sold
up and made bankrupt, suppose. And there
is something worse than that to be feared /
but no. tits cruel of me to trouble you, Bee, my
darling with these unpleasant Details
'No! no y she replied. ~ had much rather
be told everything. If you love me, Algy, keep
nothing back from me-
''There is no resisting that appeal! ~ he ex-
claimed, with great earnestness. $50 / will
confess to you, Bee, what would confess to no
one else alive. 1t is a deeper disgrace than
bankruptcy that have to fear in the event of
my being unable to meet Saccharini's bills. The
truth is-and do not think worse of me, my
| darling, than you can hclp-that when l ap-
piled to him for a loan was in desperate pecu-
mary straits; and, since he would not advance
me money without security, foolishly, nay,
wickedly, represented to him that was entitled
to a large sum of money on my fathers death
| That was about this time last year. My father
has, you know, since died, and has scarcely left
me sxpence. Should Saccharini press his
claim that fact is bound to come out; and if il
does the man, for he knows no mercy, will in
evitably institute criminal proceedings against
me for fraudulent Misrepresentation ~
Mrs. Brickmann pressed yet closer 70 his side
and gave a little shudder at the bare thought o
such terrible disgrace overtaking her lover
She was silent for moment But her min,
was soen made up.
''Algy" she cried--and the love which he
earnest tones expressed for this selfish, unprin
cpled rake was really touching-"Algy, do nc
fret or be unhappy, my darling. will pay tn
money!
''You p he CALCULATED as though he had nc
heard Alright. "You? Impossible ~
''Why?n she exclaimed, DoInot love you be
ter than all the world? Who should more ma
, urally help you in your troubles? Nay, Alg.
l would give my life for you-et alone paltr
sum of money!
But could not take it from you," he r.
i, monStrated; 81 could not, really"
Z, ''Do not say that, Algy !" she entreate,
''You cannot think how you will hurt me if yo
refuse ~
He still resisted the notion of taking h,
= money and this time the true cause of any r
u luctance that the heartless young fop migl
e feel upon the subject leaked out in his words.
o "But your husband ?n he said. ''What if
u should find out ?'
c "Ileneyer need know, Ee never shal know
c she answered emphatically. 'My money is Il
> own, and no one can call me to account for Il
= manner in which spend it,"
; In spite of her assurance My Lord Algero
d was evidently not quite satisfied upon.this hea