Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-09-19

finite pain and endless promises, from
the more pressing Of his creditors, was
but a short one; and If this throw
failed. he had nothing to look forward
TO but an exile ia France or else
whore. until such time, as his credit
ers. wearled of watching for him, gave
up all hope of ever getting their dues.
He had lived gay life: he had
frothed and fioated among the creme
de la creme. penniless heir of a good
old name. with nothing TO keep it up
on. He might have been said to have
lived by his wits ends for some years,
but that Is such a vulgar way.o OF ex-
pressing il, and Ernest Deyereux and
his kind so shrank from vuigarity. He
could live so no longer, and he knew
Ii: not because his wits We're growing
less keen, but because dearly bought
experience was sharpening the wits OF
many round him. The great shark
had gcbbled up all the little fishes in
It's neighborhood so long, that the lit
tie fishes were growing cautious ana
the great shark found 1t necessary to
move into deeper water, or be gobbled
up in turn.
''Ry Jove," he thought. as he sat
there. ''if she goes today it's all up,
and I'm not quite sure the old fellow
can stop her"
Meanwhile, Mrs. Anterior, commits
stoned by Mr.. Leigh. had sought Lefty
in her own room, whittier she had fed
on the unlooked-for interruption. She
had to ten her that her father did not
wish her to 60 to Huston, as she had
promised she would; nay. he desired
her not to go; and seeing that her
things were all packed, and herself
getting ready to start, it was not a
very pleasant mission. But Mrs. Ath-
erton was equal to the occasion, as
all great men or women should be,
and she laid the case down so clearly,
and showed so forcibly how very rude
it would be for Lefty. the real smis
tress of the house, to go away and
leave a guest to his own resources
that Lefty. though not convinced, be-
gan to feel very uncomfortable.
But" she urged, 81 was going be-
fore I knew Of his visit. He must see
that l was. for there are my boxes
ready corded before his eyes,
eyes. to be sure" said Mrs. Ather-
ten. "He knows you were going to-
day as we'll as | do; but he knows,
too. that 1t would be very uncourteous
of you to leave him, and l don't for
one moment expect that he thinks
You would do it,"
Lefty was sorely puzzled what to do.
She wanted to get away from Fen
more. away from her own heart, if it
could be; but. as ii could not then as
far from everything that would jar
on that sore heart as she could get.
II hate Kenmore" she cried. ooh.
Mrs. Atherton! you can't know how
much hate IT."
yes. Lefty. | do know" said Mrs.
Atherton: 81 know very we'll: but 1T is
one of our difficult parts. my dear. to
crush down such things. and strive
80 to act before the world that we
shall not need to blush for ourselves
when the gay bubble bursts. OF
course, dear, you can go or stay as
1t pleaSes Won, and | win tell your
papa that You will let him know which
you win do, in. say an hours time"
Mrs. Atherton gave a motiierly
smooth to Lettys brown hands in
passing. and stepped quietly from the
room.
For a second or two the girl stood
where she had left her, an ominous
crimson burning on her cheek. an
ominous flame alight in her gray eyes.
Then her head dropped on her clasped
hands, and she burst into angry tears |
How dare she?" she cried, through
her gasping sots: "how dare sheY
Mrs. Atherton dared to do anything.
as Lefty had yet to learn, and any
passionate crying out against her
sharp words was wasted.
To Be Continued.