Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-17

Inc furniture was poor flFt'iGI- 10 De
sure, but it had been theirs ever since
their marriage. For more than twenty
years he had eaten his supper at the end
OF the long table, and to see Doras arm
chair carried off would break his wife's
heait-that chair, about which seemed to
inger still something Of their child, and
at which neither father nor mother could
look without tears. The poor actor did
| not know where to look for aid !; and before
his eyes he saw Dora's look Of tender en-
treaty. She had never told him what il
was she wished him to renounce. but he
had guessed all the same, and the thought
| that he had not fulfilled his daughters dy-
ing wishes did not tighten lis heart
George Speed, that same night. sat in
his cheerful library. but he was far from
cheerful himself. His head was buried IN
his hands, and he thought Of Sylvia. who
was at that moment sleeping quietly on
the floor above. For long time he had
begged of her not to receive the tenor,
Benedict; but Sylvia would not yield,
and that very day had told him that she
should certainly invite the man to ball
she was about 10 give
as he your admirer?" cried George,
looking straight into her eyes.
She did not deny it. nor did she say he
was. she did not even turn away. She
merely. in her cool, 1)assionless tone in
formed him that no human being had the
right TO control OF influence her acts; that
she was free; that she meant to remain
50, and would submit TO no interference
from either her husband or himself. They
had spent an hour in this way.
And it was for this woman that he had
sacrificed everything; it was for her that
he had thrown aside his wife's love. He
was filed with shame and humiliation
He rose from his chair, and walked about
the room. His eyes happened to fall upon
an almanac, and he saw the day of the
month. Good heavens! Was there not
large sum Of money to be paid in a fcw
days, and he had allowed al recollectio".
of business matters to be swallowed up in
his own ignoblc personal affairs. But now
he saw all the impending disaster. lie
had not penny. For six months he had
lost at cards regularly: enormous sum-
had gone that way; he literally had moth
ing left except the factory, and at thu"
thought the unhappy man uttered deep
groan.
"George, / am here; what is the mat
terW and his wife stood before him. 1t
had been her habit for some time to wal
up for his return from his club. where she
supposed his evenings were passed; but
this night she had gone to her child. She
heard her husband come in, and heard
him walking to and fro in the room. and
his groan had summoned her to his side.
What remorse tore his heart as Ire saw
her, and felt her gentle arms Us she ten
derby drew his head to her bosom! For
tunately he could not speak, or he wouA
have told her all.
You have been playing cards, have
you not2 And you have had heavy
lossesf'
He made a sign in the affirmative, s.l,.
when he had regained his self-contlH..
told her he had a large sum OF money to
pay in few days.and did not know where
to procure penny.
She uttered not one word ~ relTcach
She was one Of those few women who c.ti
face misfortune without Il word Of 10
elimination. Possibly at the bottom cf
her heart She WAS almost grateful for the
disaster that had brought him nearer 10
her. She reflected a moment. and then.
with a great effort, she said:
80 not despair; l will 60 to Oakland~,
and ask my grandfather fGi' the requisite
amount"
He himself. would never have dared to
make the suggestion; the thought even
would not have occurred to him. She was
so proud. and her grandfather so hard. II
was an enormous sacrifice that she was
making, and strong proof of her love
that she offered He felt strengthened
and encouraged by her words and by her
tenderness.
"Annie!" he cried, chow good you are!'