Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-01

energy and care. We must retrench
at every turn, and shrink from economy.
We have five designers; we must dismiss
three. I will undertake to do the work of
those three. In conclusion, / wish to say
that after this month dissolve our part
nership, and will receive only my old sa-
larry
Speed wished to speak, but look from
his wife restrained him.
Il am your PARTNER no longer, George.
You must make no ofgectIon-1nat point IS
settled. / shall resume my old position
until the firm is free from every embar-
rassmcnt What / shall do then depends
on circumstances. One word more, George.
You must occupy yourself exclusively
with your business. The hand and eye Of
the master must be felt everywhere, and
if you fulfill your duty. am certain that
one among our numerous misfoltunes Is
not irreparable.
During the silence that followed, noise
of wheels was heard, and two huge vahs
drew up in front Of the house.
Il must leave you for moment" said
Florence; sthose are the vans from the
auction-room; they have come for my fur
niture."
"What?" cried Mr.. Speed; ''you are
going to sell the furniture too|
"CeItainly. to the very last stick"
at is impossible" said George; Il will
not permit it,
Florence turned upon him like light
ming.
What do you say7 You win not per-
NIT it."
Annie made an appealing gesture.
"You promised" she whispered.
"True-tluew lie answered. and hurried
away to escape the temptation that was
swelling within his heart.
Tie second floor was deserted. The
servants having been paid and dismissed
that morning, had left tne looms III all
the disorder that follows q party, AMI an
air Of expectancy fingered over all an air
that generally pcryadcs SPOT which has
been the sccLe Of startling events, and
where the end has not arrived. The doors
stood wide open; the carpets were taken
up, and the long table IN the dining-room
was still loaded with glass and china and
the remains Of the supper. The mingled
odors Of VINE and faded flowers assaulted
Florence on is entrance. There, to- wa
the piano. with O1tenbach's ",,alot5:s infer
male" upon it. The windows were thrown
orrn, al! t.v lace curtains waved III the
fresh morning breeze. The whole aspect
~
We sci. whose passengers had only ESCAPED
with tAGii I've.
FloI nee suI rintended the porteI's VIC
were rowing tha furniture. All the luxu-
ny that had tiled his heart with innocent
pride, low inspired him with unconquer-
able d; ust. But when he entered his
wift's anq.tmpnt, his emotion nearly
cho.,cd him. It was a large room. hung
with iight-bue silk; white lace and rib
hons everywhere, at the windows, and on
the PonIaG toilet table. On the floor
lay faded flower, a spray Of artificial
roses, a bit Of lace torn from q f1Ounce.
The candles of the candelabra had burned
themselves out, and so shivered their
crystal sccncGs. The bed, shrouded in
curtains of blue and white, looked like a
couch of state upon which no one ever
slept.
At first Florence felt a pang of regret,
but in Il few moments his heart grew hot
with Indignation. 1Jothing retains SC
much of woman's individuality as the
room II which she lives Even when alb
sent, her image still smiles on YOU
from her mirror. Her favorite chair is
there, the dainty won k-basket; and the
whole atmosphere is filed with her favor
tie perfume.
But there the thing that most wildly
recalled Sylvia was whatnot loaded with
triflcs; a minute china tea-service, a mi
croscopic fan. gilt shoe. a small shepherd
and shepherdess exchanging smiles and
bows. This whatnot seemed to be . rep
reservation of Silvia's character. She
herself, her principles, her honor. her
hopes and ambitions, were as trifing and
as fragile as the playthings on this use
less furniture.
Poor Florence's thoughts were sad
enough, while all about him resounded
with the noise of hammers and heavy foot
steps. The confusion momentarily in
creased, when suddenly he heard Mr..
Chipp's voice outside. and his father-in-
law appeared at the door, irate and ag-
gressive.
"What is this hear, Florence2 What
are you doing?"
SELLING up, sir"
The little man glared in q stupefed sort
of way.
Selling up! and why, may be permit
ted to ask?"
because 1 choose to do so," answered
Florence. in measured tones.
Il do not deny" said MI. Chip, in
low voice, and taking step forward-.I
w iIo0 NSIS llitte ~ ~ Id u 4ol IlStS DCSil
most grave. However. l know very little
about 1t. L must remlnu you Oh Gne VA
poleonic proverb, that dirty linen is best
washed at home. 1t is not worth while, it
strikes me, to offer your work-people
amusement gratis. Every operative in
your factory is laughing at you and
watching all this. Look! Each pane in
those windows has face behind it. You
are the laughing stock of - neighbor-
hood, my dear fellow" and the old man
pulled up his collar superciliously.
80 much the better, The dishonor has
been public; let the PREPARATION be public
too"
This seeming Indifference exasperated
his father-in-la law; he changed his tone,
and began to speak to Florence as to a
child or an idiot.
but you have no right to do what you
are doing. shall oppose. it formally with
all my authority as a father. Do you
think that you will be allowed to turn my
child into the street, Not at all, and
nothing more shall be taken from the
house."
And old Chip planted himself before
the door with martial air. The attitude
was very imposing, but it did not last
long; he was quietly seized by two strong
arms. and placed in the center Of the
room, while the workmen went in and out
as they pleased.
Listen TO me-" said Florence. with in
tensity. Il am at the end of my patience.
For hours l have restrained myself; but
this cannot last, l warn you. You had
better 60 l am in the mood to kill some
one. l give you fair warming"
Florence's tone was so full of suppressed
fury. and his eyes blazed so fiercely. that
Mr.. Chip was convinced that obedience
as well as discretion, was the better part
of valor. He stammered a few words OF