Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-10-31
CHAPTER XI.-(CoNTINUEDi.

eADSCANNNfy
hands"
That's it, boy-yardarm to yardarm
and have 1t over"
II must go at once" He put on his
top-coat and his hat. "But have ten
minutes yet before I can catch the
train. There is one little thing which
I must do before start"
He had caught sight through the long
glass folding door Of the CLEAN OF a
white blouse and a straw hat In the
tennis ground. Clara used often TO
meet him there of morning to say
few words before he hurried away into
the city. He walked out now with the
quick; firm step of man who has tax
en- momentous resolution, but his race
was haggard and his lips pale.
Clara, said he, as she came toward
him with words of greeting, Il am sor-
ry to bring i'll news to you, but things
have gone wrong in the city, and-and
I think ought to release you from your
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,
Harold?"
'It is dishonor. cannot ask you to
share it."
"Dishonor! The loss of some miser-
able gold and silver coins"
'Oh, Clara, If it were only that! We
could be far happier together in a lit
tie cottage in the country than with all
the riches of the city. Poverty could
not cut me to the heart, as have been
cut this morning. Why, it is but twenty
minutes since I had the letter, Clara,
and 1t seems to me to be some old, old
thing which happened far away in my
past 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 1 cannot meet.
To be hammered down upon change
and declared bankrupt. To know that
others have a just claim upon me and
to feel that dare not meet their eyes.
Is not that worse than poverty?"
Eyes, Harold, thousand fold worse!
But all this may be got over. Is there
nothing more?"
my partner has fled and left me re-
sponsible for heavy debts, and in such
position that I may be required by
the law to produce some at least Of
this missing money. 1t has been con-
f1ded to me to invest, and he has en-
bezzled 1t. I, as his partner, am liable
for 1t. I have brought misery on all
whom 1 love-my father, my mother
But you at least shall not be under the
shadow You are free, Clara. There
is no tie between u.s."
ut takes two to make such tie,
Harold" 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 en-
gagement?"
You hold me to it, Clara?"
mo creditor so remorseless as I,
Harold Never, never, shall you get
from that bond"
But 1 am ruined. My whole life is
blasted"
And so you wish to ruin me, aad
blast my life also No, indeed, sir, you
shall not get away so lightly. But
seriously now, Harold, you would hurt
me If 1t were not so absurd. Do you
think a woman's love is like this sun
shade which 1 carry in my hand, thing
only fitted for the sunshine, and of no
use when the winds blow and the clouds
gather?"
II would not drag you down, Clara"
Should I not be dragged down In
deed If left your side at such a time?
1t is only now that 1 can be of use to
you, help you, sustain you. You have
always been so strong, so above me.
You are strong still, but then two VIII
be stronger Besides, sir, you have no
idea what a woman of business I am.
Papa says so, 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 lit-
tie CLEANS of cheerlness through the
gloom which glrt him in. To listen to
her he might have thought 1t was Ida,
and not her staid and demure sister,
who was chatting to him.
1T will soon be cleared up" she said.
land then we shall feel quite dull OF
course all business men have these lit
tie ups and downs. Why, 1 suppose Of
all the men you meet upon change,
there is not one who has not some such
story to tell If 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 1t that you
need?
More than can ever get. Not less
than thirteen thousand pounds"
Claras face fell as she heard the
amount. What do you propose do
ing?"
II shall go to the city now and shall
ask all our creditors to meet me to-
morrow. / shall read them Pearson'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. VIII you take my advice?"
what is It, Clara?"
ITO ask them for a few days Of de-
lay. Who knows what new turn mat
te-s may take?"