Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-24

| that the weary logic OF hfe was immuta-
| bic. She did not ask herself Why this
man had SO deceived her, nor yet why
| for a mere caprice he had thrown away
happiness and honor. Sufficient for her
vas the fact that he had done so. Il was
not the past that occupied her thoughts
It was the future.
A new life. dark and severe. full of pri-
vation and toll. slowly unrollcd itself be-
fore her heavy eyes; but. strangely
enough, this future did not terrify her
| What a task would be hers. the care of
three children: her mother, her child. and
| nov L-.cI"-,a g. 18th mother and hns-
| were cnlIQren. The longer she
dwelt on the responsibilities that would be
| hers the less she thought Of her own SOP
rows. and the better she understood the
| full meaning Of the word sacrifice; a word
| so vague from Indifferent lips. SO full Of
/ solemnity when it becomes the rule Of life.
| These were poor Annie's reflections in
| that dimly-lghted room, whose single
taper, like spark fallen from the bril-
| liant chandelier above, had attracted Flor
ence's attention. Reassured by Toms
words, he determined 10 steal quietly into
/ the house, and avoiding his guests. go to
| bed and sleep, if possible. 10 do this he
was obliged to enter 10y his office, to make
use of private staircase. He passed
| through two or three OF the large rooms.
] The pale moon. now occasionally emcrg-
| ing from the clouds, shone titfullv through
the unshadcd windows. A strong smell
Of Oil and varnish fingered there. and the
huge rolls of paper CLEANED white like
shrouded ghosts.
| Suddenly he caught sight Of ray of
| light under the door Of the cashiers office.
| Could old Job be still at work at one
/ o'clock IN the mo,ningl 1t was very ex-
| traordinary! Could a burglar have effect
| ed an entrance? At this last idea Flor
ence moving with great caution, softly
opened the door, and was inclined to re-
treat az softly.
Since FIorence's inexplicable break with
Job, he had carefully avoided being alone
with him. His wounded pride prevented
him from asking an explanation Of the sin
gular colGness that had SO deeply wound
ed him. But this evening Florence was
so happy and so hopeful that he felt dis
posed to make some advances to his old
| friend
The cashier was seated at his desk, IA
pile of books in front Of him. and more on
! the floor by his side. Florence went to
the grating.
job" he said. in gentle tone.
The old man looked up, and tears, the
f..ot he had shed since he was boy, stood
/ in his eyes.
You arc in trouble, Job. What is the
nld'tcr?"
/ Aud Florence held out his hand. but
Job drew back hastily. The movement
was 50 sudden and evidently SO instinct
| i've. dat tlorcn@c's sympathy changed IL
iiG; clnttion.
i a.tere,t you my hand, job Denman, .
he sail drawing himself up.
"Aud refused to give you NINE" an
swcrcd ,IoI, rising.
4 long %ilcnce ensue,l, neither of the
two men spoke; the distant music of the
| ballroom came in gusts, as it were, OF
melody.
why do You reject my hand?" at last
asked Florence slowly and ateIniy, the
| iron grating against which he leaned
| shaking with the violence of the mans re-
/ pressed emotion.
Why! Because you have ruined this
| honorable house; because in a few hours
u messenger win come from the bank, and,
! standing Just where you stand, will pre-
| sent to Inc bills, which, thanks to you,
| cannot payn'
Florence stood utterly bewildered.
Il ruined The house? II"
"'Yes; you. sir; and worse than that,
rou have ruined it through your wife, ard
| have arranged between yourselves %
| profit 10y our disgrace. [ understand yo.;3'
anne! The money ont of which your wife
u;tS c&ioled George Speed, her diamonds,
| the villa at Richmond, all stand in her
| name, out Of reach of all danger. and you
| viii easily manage to evade all the labili-
ties"
!iorcnce's lips parted, as if to speak;
al his features contracted with an cx-
.~.,@ion of anguish. he swaycd heavily
forward dragging with him the iron graf
i",e. and fell on the floor. He did not ut
t"r!y lose consciousness; probably the
4Iood that streamed from n wound on his
head relieved the pressure on his brain.
-, helped him to the low bench where
the worilmcn sat on payday, loosened
His c!avat and hathed his temples. When
| Florence at last opened his eyes. he saw
| Mrs. George, who had been summoned by
Job. leaning over him.
Is it true; is it true?" said the poor
| fellow. rs soon as lie could speak.
Annie could not answer and turned
assay sadly.
Then" he continued ut is true that
tho firm is ruined. and through me?"
No. my dear old friend, not through
| YOU
Then through my wife? All. that is
ter,1l" and that * the way l nave PAID
my debt of gratitude. Bat YOU, Mrs.
George. you have not really believed me
an accomplish in such vilIainy?'
No. my friend. BE calm; know you
| to he one of the most honest men in the
! worIdr'
He locked at her for a moment. his lips
| trembling and his clasped hands extend
ed inploringly, for all his ways and ex-
| proS>ionS were singulaFly simple and
| raild-Hl<e
no think" he mulmured. that have
biou@nt these m,aiorunes upon you"
Suddenly he rose.
I'VE must not waste our time in this
way" he cried; must settle up my ac-
| counts"
Mrs Speed was teT1iied.for she thought
| he meant that he must see George. and
She cried in M aGonized tone: "WilIiamr'
| lie turned: looking at her he under
| stood her fears.
lie at ease. madam; your hus band may
| sleep tranquility; l have something to at
| tend to of more Importance than my inn
| paired honor. Wait for me. l will be back
! directly"
| lie hurried up the narrow staircase. and
! Annie sat opposite Job III silence. Some
| twenty minutes elapsed. when & noise OF
| hurried footsteps was heard. and a rust
| ling Of silks.
| sylvia came first. in ball-dress. but so
deadly pale that the jewels that sparkled
! on neck and arms seemed more alive than
| herself. She was trembling with emotion
| ~ some kiud; whether fear or anger re-
| manned To be seen. Florence was behind
! her laden with papers. iewcl-caseS. and a