Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-12-02
YOUR CHOI
CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

"Thero Is nothing like clear conscience
for an appetizer" observed Montfort as
he watched his friend Renclair drink a
cocktail previous TO attacking his lunch.
"Unless it's a cocktail made by man
who understands the art of mixing one"
argued Renclair However, won stand
forth rs nn advocate of alcohol. 1t is not
often that l take drink Of liquor"
"I.eave the stuff alone and use n clear
conscience in its stead, - urged Montford
"Charley, my dear fellow, | really wish
could persuade you to take different
view OF things, really don't believe that
you have any serious object in life"
Haven't l, thought" murmured Rem
clair to himself.
"This will be one of the best years have
ever had resumed Monti0rt 81 shall
clear $4,000 this year from my invest
ments."
"While am getting along on snlRry
of quarter OF that amount" groaned
Charley.
"You wouldn't have to for very many
years more II YOU would listen 20 my ad-
vice. Save your money and invest. Why,
saved money when my own salary was
only 5000 year. You could save half OF
your income N you would. You can't i'm
ngino the satisfaction / take in working
for myself-the best OF all employers"
"I'll think OF it, - replied Renclair care
lessly. As they finished lunch and parted
Montfort remarked;
"Well, I've got TO call on client who
has some business for me TO do-a widow
who doesn't know anything about bust
ness and depends altogether upon my id
vice.
Then I'll wager you make as much
out Of her Investments as she does, 4" re
marked Charley soto voce. "Hello, old
fellow, you've dropped your wallet"
But Montfort had turned corner.
Charley, too, turned the corner, only TO
find that his friend was not In sight.
Never mind. I'll see him again to
morrow and return the wallet 10 him"
As Renolair waded through the letters
that fell to Kim ns corresponding clerk for
the firm which employed him he unused:
'Montfort was getting rather personal,
though he didn't know IL, when he spoke
OF widows"
For Rcnclair had lost his heart TO n wild
ow, one Of the youngest, brightest, pref
test and cleyerest Of all widows. In fact,
no had resolved on that very night 10 end
suspense by asking Elsie Cummings TO
become his wife.
"And l must really begin now to save
my money" he soliloquizcd "Elsie Is
obliged to work hard now, because OF the
improyidence OF her first husband. III
| try TO make life easier for her"
lie called upon her that night, full OF
/ tropidation, and spent n very nervous hour,
at the end of which time he stnmmored a
proposal, To his great establishment,
Elsie placed her hand in his and said
EYES,
| Fun of boyish enthusiasm, he borrowed
one OF her rings and rushed out to buy the
engagement circlet Choosing 1t was a
task that required considerable delibera-
| tion. 1t was an hour later when he found
himself Mt Elsie's door. Just rs he was
about to knock he heard n mans voice
inside. twingo OF jealousy seized the
/ lover II was hardly an honorable thing
to do, but he listened. Having heard
enough, he walked down the hallway.
Pausing under gas jet, he did another
thing that was hardly honorable. He
took Monttort's wallet out OF his pocket
and carefully inspected the contents.
Then he returned to Elsie's door and
knocked.
"Hcllow cried Montfort in surprise.
Didn't know that you knew Mrs. Cum
mings."
"She IS my aiilnnced wife"
Your atianeed wifei" repeated Mont
fort, paling.
Yes. l overheard little Of your
conversation. l gather that Mrs. Cum
mings has intrusted YOU with her fortune
OF 100000, Up to tonight didn't know
that she had even SlOO.n
"You have considerably oyerstated the
amount, u said Montfort doggedly. GAN
the money | received from Mrs. Cum.
mings was 81, 900, which am prepared to
return tomorrow, with the profts.n
"But heard Mrs, Cummings state that
the amount was $50, OOO.n
'Sho Is mistaken, " murmured Montfort.
TO cut the matter short, sir, may "a
well tell you that found your wallet tc-
day where you dropped it, Thore are pa.
pes IN Il which entirely confirm Mrs.
Cummings' story. Now, IL Won don't feel
inclined 30 make restitution, the contents
OF your pooketboolS shall be deposited 10.
morrow with the district attorney
What shall doip Rasped Montfort
name to IT.
Montfort oAeyed tremblingly.
NOW YOU may 90, but will retain the
pockethook until tomorrow. And ALWAYS
rememher, Montfori,n moekingly. "that
the best appetizer is a clear conscience -
Monttort lost no time in going. 1t may
be mentioned right here that on the foi.
lowing day no made complete restitution.
why did you tell ms that you were NO
poor You were compelled to support your.
self" Renclair asked reproachfully.
"Booause, replied Elsie. 81 didn'tw want
to think that my future husband was M
traeted by my money alone n--E EXCHANGE
w, When ,,Il q Al woman Z too busy to glance