Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-01-25
BY A.CoNAN DoyLE

ee,vs,srr .s,. AUTHORS ArrIAsca A., .,as,
Clara" SAID ne as sne came uowar,
him with words of greeting. II am sorr,
to bring i'll news to you, but things hav
gone wrong in the city, and-and thinl
that l ought TO release you from YOU
engagement"
Clara stared at him with her great
questioning. dark eyes, and her face be
came as pale as his.
How can the city affect you and me
HaroldT'
1T is dishonor. cannot ask you II
share it.
''Dishonori The loss of some miserable
gold and silver coinsr'
'Oh, Clara, if it were only that! W.
could be far happier together in LITTLE
cottage in the country than with all thu
riches of the city. Poverty could moi
cut me to the heart as l have been cut
this morning. Why, it is but 20 min
utes since l had the letter, Clara, and il
seems to me to be some old, old thing
which happened far away in my pas1
life, some horrid black cloud which shut
out all the freshness and the peace
from it."
But what is it, then? What do you
fear worse than poverty:
ITO have debts that / cannot meet
To be hammered upon change and de
clared bankrupt. to know that Others
have just claim upon me, and to feel
that dare not meet their eyes. Is not
that worse than poverty"
Yes, Harold, thousandfold worse
But all this may be got over. Is there
nothing more:"
My partner has fed and left me re-
sponsible for heavy debts and in such
a position that may be required by the
law to produce some at least of this
missing money. 1t has been confded to
him to invest. and he has embezzled it.
|, as his partner, am liable for it. l have
brought misery on all whom / love-my
father, my mother. But you at least
shall not be under the shadow. You are
free, Clara. There is no tie between us.
at takes two to make such tie, Har-
DID," said she, smiling and putting her
hand inside his arm. 1T takes two to
make it, dear. and also two to break it.
Is that the way they do business in the
city, sir, that man can always at his
own sweet will tear up his engagements"
"You hold me to it, Clara?"
"No creditor so remorseless as l., Har-
old. Never, never shall you get from
that bond"
"But am ruined. My whole life is
blasted"
''And SO you wish to ruin me and blast
my life also. No, indeed, sir; you shall
not get away so lightly. But seriously
now. Harold, you would hurt me if it
were not SO absurd. Do you think that
woman's love is like this sunshade
which carry in my hand-a thing only
fitted for the sunshine and of no use
when the winds blow and the clouds
Eather"
81 would not drag you down. Clara
Should not be dragged down indeed
II left your side at such timer It
Is only now that ! can bs Of use to
you, help you. sustain you. You have
always been 60 strong, 50 above me.
You are strong still. but then two will
be stronger. Besides, sir, You have no
Idea what a woman Of business / am.
Papa says 50. and he knows"
Harold tried to speak, but his heart
was too full. He could only press the
white hand which curled round his
sleeve. She walked up and down by his
side. prattling merrily and sending little
CLEANS Of cheeriness through the gloom
which eirt him in. To listen to her he
might have thought that It was Ida and
not her staid and demure sister who was
chatting to him.
1T will soon be cleared up" said she,
land then we shall feel quite dull Of
course all business men have these little
ups and downs. Why, l suppose Of all
the men you meet upon change there is
not one who has not some such story to
tell. II everything was always smooth.
you know, then Of course every one
would turn stockbroker, and you would
have to hold your meetings in Hyde
park. How much is it that you need?'
More than l can ever get. Not less
than e13,0O0."
Clara's face fell as she heard the
amount. What do you propose doingT
II shall 60 to the city now. and shall
ask all our creditors to meet me tomor-
row. shall read them Pcarson's letter
and put myself into their hands"
And they. what will they do?"
What can they do? They will serve
writs for their money, and the firm will
be declared bankrupt"
And the meeting will be tomorrow.
you say. Will you take my adyice?"
What is it ClaraF'
ITO ask them for few days of delay
Who knows what new turn matters may
takeg'
What turn can they take? have no
means of raising the money"
Let us have few days."
''Oh. we should have that in the or
binary course of business. The legal
formalities would take them some little
time. But must go, Clara; must not
seem to shirk. My place now must be at
my Offices"
''Yes, dear, you are right. God bless
you and guard you'll l shall be here in
The Wilderness, but all day l shall be by
your Office table at Throgmorton street
in spirit, and if ever you should be sad
you will hear my little whisper in your
ear and know that there is one client
whom you will never be able to get rid
of-never as long as we both live. dear"
CHAPTER XII.
FRIENDS IN NEED.
"Now, papa" said Clara that morn