Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-11-11
CLEAR CONSCIENCE.


for an appetizer" observed Montfort as
he watched his friend Renclair drink "A
cocktail previous 20 attacking his lunch.
"Unless it's cocktail made 10y man
who understands the art Of mixing one"
argued Rcnclair. "llOwever, won { stand
forth rs an advocate Of alcohol. IL Ii not
often that take drink of liquor"
"leave the stun alone and use a clear
conscience iu its stead" urged Montford
"Charley, nay dear fellow, | really wish
| could persuade you To take n different
view of things really don't believe that
you have any serious object in life"
"Haven't /, thought" murmured Rem
clair to himself
"This will be one of the best years have
ever had" resumed Montfort. II shall
clear $1,000 this year from my invest
.nents."
"While | am getting along on IA salary
Of IA quarter of That amount, groaned
Charley.
a. on wouldn't have TO for very many
years more If you would listen To my al
vice. Save your money and invest. Why,
| saved money when my own salary was
only $500 year. You could save half of
your income il you would. You cant im-
agine the satisfaction | take in working
"I'll think of il, -" replied Reuclair care
lessly. As they finished lunch and parted
Montfort remarked;
"Well, I've got 20 call on n client who
has some business for me to do--a widow
who doesn't know anything about bust
ness and depends altogether upon my ad-
vice"
"Ihcn I'll wager You make "a much
out OF hor investments as she does, re-
marked Charley soto vOce. "HellO, old
fellow, you've dropped your wallet"
But Montfort had turned "A 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 TO him"
As Rcnclair waded through the letters
that fell 10 him n corresponding clerk for
the firm which employed him he mused:
"Montfort was getting rather personal,
though he DIDN'T know it, when he spoke
of widows"
For Reuclair had lost his heart to n wild
ow, one Of the youngest brightest, pret-
tiest and clcverest of all widows. In fact,
he had resolved on that very night To end
suspense by asking Elsie Cummings TO
become his wife.
"And | must really begin now TO save
my money" he soliloquized. "Elsie is
obliged To work hard now, because of the
improvidence of hrr first husband. III
try % make life easier for her"
He called upon her that night, full Of
trepidation, and spent very nervous hour,
at the end Of which time he staInmered
proposal. To his great astonishment,
Elsie placed her hand in his and said
"Hes"
IN..II q 4, 4 Ls.I IN ,+aI
one of her rings and rushed out to buy the
engagement Circlet. Choosing IL was
task that required considerable delibera-
ton il was an hour later when he found
himself mt Elsie's door. just IA he was
about To knock he heard n mans voice
inside. A twinge of jealousy seized the
lover. 1t 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 Montfort' = wallet out of his pocket
and carefully inspected the contents.
Then he returned to Elsie's door and
knocked.
"IIello" cried Montfort in surprise.
"Didn't know that you knew Mrs. Cum
mings."
"She is my afrlanced wife"
"Your aiiianced wifeY" repeated Mont
fort, paling.
eyes. overheard n little Of your
conversation. | gather that Mrs. Cum
mings has intrusted you with her fortune
of 1000. Up To tonight | didn't know
that she had even 500"
"You have considerably overstated the
amount" said Montfort doggedly. "All
the money | received from Mrs. Cum
mings was SO 900, which am prepared to
return tomorrow, with the profits"
"But heard Mrs. Cummings state that
the amount was $50, 900"
"She is mistaken, murmured Nlontfort.
"To cut the matter short, sir, may as
well tell You that | found your wallet to-
day where you dropped it. There are pa
pers in it which entirely confirm Mrs.
Cummings story. Now, II you don't feel
inclined to make restitution, the contents
of your pocketbook shall be deposited to
morrow with the district attorney"
"What shall | dor" gasped Montfort.
"Write what | dictate and sign your
name 10 it,.
Montfort obeyed tremblingly.
"Now you may 70, but will retain the
pocketbook until tomorrow. And always
remember, Montfort," mockingly, "that
the best appetizer Is clear conscience -
Montfort lost no time in going. IL may
be mentioned right here that on the fol
lowing day he made complete restitution.
"Why did you tell me that you were 70
poor you were compelled to support your
self" Renclair asked reproachfully.
because, ~ replied Elsie, 81 didn' t want
TO think that my future husband was at
tracted by my money alone. ."-Exchange.