The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-11

your business, and let me finish my nap y.
How often during the next twelve
months Paul Felix rallied his wife within
an inch of the "crying degree" about her
financial scheme how often he alluded
mischievously to the probably exhausted
state of her purse and his entire willingness
to hand over any amount of money the
moment she would confess herself to be
wrong and him to be right. She was
nearly tempted to abandon her cause in
despair. But she persevered so bravely
that after while Paul declared that he
believed his little wife could get along with
a smaller amount than he had previously
had any idea Of
"But I know you are denying scores Of
feminine fol-de-rols-say the word and we
will call it seventy-fye dollars a month in
stead of fifty.
"No, iadeedr' r' quoth Mercy, decisively.
sDid [ not tell you that fifty should be
enough ? And it is"
Nearly five years have passed away. 1t
was a stormy night in March, the clouds
flying before a strong gale, and the air
chill and raw with occasional gusts of snow.
Mrs. Felix sat in her cheerful parlor stitch
ing away at little muslin apron for her
sleeping baby, and singing some half for
gotten melody to herself as she worked.
II wonder what makes Paul so late, u
she murmured, as stronger blast than
usual shook the windows, II hope it is not
any difficulty in his business matters. He
has looked very grave of late.
The words had scarcely passed through
her mind when the door opened and Mr..
Felix entered. He did not speak to his
wife as usual.
"Paul, are you ill, dearest2 What is
the matter.
He made no reply. She arose and came
to his side, reiterating her inquiries.
"Ask ME no questions. Mercy he
said at length, in a tone so strangely al
tered that she started at its 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 ?"
"NIercy" he said, rising. IL did not
intend to cloud your happy brow with my
griefs; but it is to late now to dissemble.
l had hoped to outride the storm of disas-
ter which has wrecked so many of our
wealthiest merchants in its whirlpool Of
failure Tomorrow, however, heavy pay
ment falls due | had relied on receiving
debts from distant firm which would fully
liquidate the amount. Instead of the
money, the western mails to-day bring me
the news of the failure of that firm on
which 1 had so wholly depended.
"But can the amount be raised in no
other way
"By borrowing here and there; by strain
ing my credit to the utmost and scraping
together every cent of available funds, l
can raise the sum, all except five hundred
dollars. But it might as well be five mil
lions. Unless the whole amount is met,
my note will be protested, and | am a
ruined, disgraced man. To think that my
whole future life should be darkened for
the miserable want of five hundred dollars "
''And is that all you lack?"
"All?. But what is the use of dwelling
farther upon it? | appreciate your sym
pathy, Mercy, but it is in vain.
He sank back on the sofa, clasping his
hands on his closed eyes. He must have
lain there motionless for five or six min
utes, when Mercy placed her soft hand on
his forehead.
Dearest, look up for moment. Do
you remember our childhood's fable of the
lion who was released from the net by the
little mouse's tiny endeavors p
"What of it" he asked, with vague
apprehension that Mercy's mind had been
a little unsettled by the impending misfor-
tune,
II am the little monse-you the shared
lion. Here are five hundred and twenty
dollars-take them, and may they prove
useful in your time of need r
He sat suddenly upright, staring alter
nately at her and the little rolls of neatly
folded bills.
"But, Mercy, how-when-"
"Dear Paul, saved it from my allow
ance, few dollars at time. I thought
perhaps the moment might come when it
would be welcome. Believe me, my hus-
band, it gives me ten thousand fold more
pleasure to place it in your hands than to
expend it in crown diamonds"
"My dear wife |" said Paul Felix, ''you
have preserved me from ruin. This crisis
once passed, I can bid defiance to misfor-
tuue !" And at that moment Mercy seemed
to him to wear the lovely guise Of an angel
of rescue
Later in the evening as she sat by his
side, her head resting on his knee, she
could not forbear whispering, with touch
of loving mischief in her voice.
"Paul-who was right about my tinan-
cial abilities, you or I p
aLittle tease !" said he, laughing. "But
1 do not think 1 ever realized before what
q blessing it was to have an economical
wife!"
Turkish Superstition.
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