Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-02-20

said he. Say the word, my dear and
I'll make it fifty dollars a month, in
stead of forty"
"No, indeed" said Cicely, decisively.
Didn't | tell you that forty would be
enough? And it is."
Nearly five years had passed away.
1t was stormy night in March; the
clouds were flying before strong gale.
and the air was chill and raw with oc-
casional gusts of snow. Mrs, Raymond
snt ini her cheerful parlor, stitching
away at n little frock for her sleeping
baby, and singing some half-forgotten
melody to herself as she worked
'l wonder what makes George 80
late, she murmured as a stronger blast
than usual shook the windows and
roared down the chimney. al hope it
isn't any difficulty in his business mat
ters. He has looked very grave lately
The words had scarcely passed through
her mind when the door opened and
Mr.. Raymond entered. He did not
speak to his wife as usual.
George, are you i'll, dearest What
Is tne mnJter
He made no reply. She rose and came
to his side, reiteratine her inquiries.
"Ask me no questions, Cicely." he
said at length, in tone so strangely
altered that she started at its sound
"You will learn evil tidings soon
enough"
"Tell me, my husband. Are not my
joys yours, your sorrows mine Surely
we have not ceased to be one p
'Cicely," he said, rising, II did not
intend to cloud your happy brow with
my grefs; but it is too late longer to
dissemble. I had hoped, dearest, to
outride this storm of disaster which
has wrecked so many Of our wealthiest
merchants in its whirlpool Of failure
Tomorrow, however, heavy payment
falls due. had relied upon receiving
debts which would fully liquidate the
amount, instead Of which have heard
to-day of the failure of the firm on
which I had so wholly depended"
''But can the amount be raised in no
other way. George p
''By borrowing here and thereby
straining my credit to the utmost, and
scraping together every dollar Of avail
able funds, can raise the sum, all ex-
cept one thousand dollars, But it might
us well be one hundred thousand dol
lars. Unless the whole amount is met,
| am n ruined, disgraccd man. To think
that my whole future life should be
darkened for want of one thousand dol.
lars |"
"And is that all you lack p asked his
wife.
"All! he replied. "But what is the
use of dwelling further upon it. ap-
preciate your sympathy, Cicely, but it
is vain"
He sank back on the sofa, clasping
his hands on his closed eyes. He must
have lain there motionless for Eve or
six minutes, when Cioely, who had loft
the room. returned, and laid her soft
hand on his forehead.
dearest, look up q moment. Do you
our childhoods fable Of the
lion who was released from the net BY
little mousc's endeavors ?"
WI hab VI ~ ! Ho uShcu, Win
vague apprehension that Cicely's wits
had beea little unsettled by the sud-
den nows Of their impending misfor-
tune.
"Well, am tho little mouse--you the
shared lion. Here is the SUN you want
Take il, and may it prove useful 10 your
time Of need p
He sat suddenly upright, staring al
at her and the roll Of neatly
folded greenbacks.
"But. Cissy, when-?"
Dear George. saved it from my al-
lowanco," she replied. II thought per.
haps the day might come when Il would
be welcome. Believe me, my husbind,
Il gives me ten thousand-fold more
pleasure to place it in your hands than
10 have expended il in waste, or on any
hing that did not absolutely require"
my darling wife p faltered George
Raymond, "you have preserved me from
ruin. This crisis once passed, | can bid
defiance to misfortune"
At that moment Cicely seemed to him
% wear the lovely guise of an angel of
rescue. Later in the evening, as she
Iat by his side, she could not forbear
with touch of loving mis-
,hief in her voice: "George, who was
light about my financial abilities, you
,r
"You little tease - said he, laughing.
II never realized before what blessing