The Bossier banner., 1891-02-05

I'll make it fifty dollars month. in.
stead of forty"
mo, 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 a strong gale.
ana the air was chill and raw with oe-
casional gusts of snow. Mrs. RAYMOND
sat in her cheerful parlor, stitching
away at little frock for her sleeping
baby, and singing some half-forgotten
melody to herself as she worked.
II wonder what makes George so
late" she murmured, as stronger
blast than usual shook the windows and
roared down the chimney. II hope it
isn't any difficulty in his business mat.
ters. lie 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 the matter?"
He made no reply. She rose and came
to his side, reiterating her inquiries.
ASK me no questions, Cicely," he
said at length, in tone so strangely
altered that she started at it's 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?a
''Cicely," he said, rising, Il did not
intend to cloud your happy brow with
my griefs; but it is too late longer to
dissemble. had hoped, dearest, to
outride this storm of disaster, which
has wrecked so many of our wealthiest
merchants in It's whirlpool of failure.
| Tomorrow, however, heavy payment
falls due. | had relied on receiving
debts which would fully liquidate the
amount, instead of which, have heard
| to-day of the failure of the firm on
which had SO wholly depended
''But can the amount be raised in no
other way, George?'
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 as we'll be one hum
dred thousand dollars. Unless the
whole amount is met, am ruined,
disgraced man. To think that my whole
future life should be darkened Tor want
of one thousand dollarsl"
"And is that all you lack?' asked his
wife.
'.All!" he replied. But what is the
use CT dwelling further upon it. | APP
prociate your sympathy, Cicely, but itis
vain"
He sank back on the sofa, clasping
his hands on his closed eyes. He must
have lain there motionless for five or
six minutes. when Cicely, who had left
the room, returned, and laid her soft
hand on his forehead.
Dearest, look up moment Do you
remember our childhood's fable of the
lion who was released from the net by
a little mouse's tiny endeavors?'
"What of it," be asked, with a
vague apprehension that Cicely's wits
had been a little unsettled by the
sudden news of their impending mis-
fortune.
well, am the little mouse-you the
shared lion. Here is the sum you want.
Take it, and may it prove useful in your
time of Eeed!''
| Hesat suddenly upright, staring alter
nately at her and the roll of neatly fold
ed greenbacks.
''But, Cissy. how-when -"
Dear George, Isaved it from my al
lowance, she replied, II thoughtper-
haps the day might come when it would
be welcome. Believe me. my husband,
it gives me ten thousand-fold more
pleasure to place it in your hands than
to have expended it in waste, or on
any thing that did not absolutely
require"
''My darling wifer' 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
to wear the lovely guise of an angel of
rescue. Later in the evening, as she
sat by his side, she could not forbear
whispering, with a touch of loving mis-
chief in her voice; George, who was
right about my financial abilities, you
or I?''
''You little tease!" said he, laughing.
81 never realized before whata blessing
it is to have an economical wife. Anna
| Rayensdale. in n. Y Weekly.