The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-02-14

Evidently it was his duty now to carry
the news to her. He closed his desk,
and took a train uptown atonce. The
unusual hour and the serious look IN
'Russells face alarmed Alice at once.
lShe feared that some mishap had be-
fallen her father. When she learned
the truth, she expressed great sorrow,
and spoke with deep feeling OF her high
opinion OF tho man whose career had
been cut off SO suddenly But there was
something in her words which made
Russell's heart beat strangely. Surely
not thus would she have heard what ne
bad told her if she had ever loved or
could have loved his friend.
For all things were not we'll with him
He had been making a strong effort to
stem the tide, and could mako some
Roadway, but the time was short, and
The debts which must be mot were
heavy and pressing. However, he had
had good fortune in one or two invest
ments recommended by Ray, and with
care might hope to mako an even show
ing in his personal accounts before long.
Eut after that, what? He did NOT
know; and, if the truth must be- told, at
times he did not care. Yet now and
then the life he had been leading, with
its luxury and leisure, would take hold
upon him. True, he had found little
satisfaction in it, but could he not do
better with a longer opportunity? He
shudoered to think Of return to The
monotonous existence ne had led two
years before, and yet, in all his ponder
ing on the problem which confronted
him, he was conscious of feeling that
ali things were uniting to push him
back into the old way. Al SUCH times
he would remember the wish he had
made to borrow this luxurious life for
two years, and tho thought that he
should be ready to deliver it up when
the time expired. Had that wish been
granted, and was the creditor, fate, to
call him to speedy account? He hoped
he might be ready to meet the demand,
but there was still much to be done.
1t has appeared to some men that an
attempt to turn over now leaf was a
signal never neglected by the spirit Of
malevolcnce. Russell had often exper~
fenced this sensation. And now, when
he mad hope that the time allowed him,
though short, would suffice to enable
him at least to free himself from pecnni-
airy obligations, came the browning mis-
fortune Of all, Deering demanded the
tain 1nanipulations Of the stock for
which, in reality, Ray was respon~
sible. Deering said that such operations
would ruin the company, and he lntl-
mated that such was the intention, in
order that the interest which would
soon revert to him might be cheaply pur-
chased,
In vain Russell endcavored to show
him the true state of the case. The man
was; as harli as a Caststcel pinion in has
own machine. He would take tho mat
ter into the courts. Russell had no
heart for such a contest. Iie promised
that in a weeks time he would deliver
over ali his title and his books, and wit
this promise Doering grumb]ingly con
scented TIC be satisfied.
And SO Russell was brought face TO
face with his destiny. If 1T had como
naturally at the limo which he had kept
in mind, ne might have met it with res
ignation, but this hurry Of fate seemed
like personal injury and it embittored
him. in this emergency his mind turned
to Alice, not gently as he had often
thought Of her in tEeir last days when
his better impulses were awakened. and
ELI seemed traceable to her, but in 81
wav Of which he was inWaIdly ashamed.
He Thought Of her as a means OF escape
from his troubles. He Withdrew into n
wretchetl corner Of his own soul, and
counted her money, like miscr who
knows the love Of it to be sin, but can
not Shake himself free Of it. Death had
removed his obligation to his friend. He
fixed his eyes upon this little myth and
did not see the great falsity Of his posi-
tion when he should offer o. love that
was half covetonsness.
A thousand sophistries rose to his aid,
and helped him overthrow the weakness
of his resolution. He had loved her for
herself; he would strive all his life to
make her happy; if she loved him what
did tho motive Of his proposal matter?
Thus he reasoned, but in reality fear
OF poverty was stronger than love; his
steps were urged by cowardce when he
turned them toward her. Well, it was
not the first time that the little winged
god had had to stop his ears to shut out
the jingle of gold.