Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-27

piled that undcrhand dealing Is sure
to find itself out.
Ere night the whole facts, and
thousand and one additions tha, were
not facts, were flvlng about Brarly.
In his reckless specula,lOns, HIS mad
lnfatuatiOn, Alfred Letsom had USED
ne money of his employers moi
With any real intention 10 deirsud.
lie believed he should be able 10
put ii back with ease; for the gamb-
ing fever had seized powerful hold
upon him, and he looked for certain
luck, as these unhappy men are sure
TO do He embarked his own mo-
ney first, and began 10 loose; then he
made free with little of his employ
ers', to retrieve his own, and that
went; and then he had TO take lit
tie more TO prevent consequences; and
80 it went on, till four thousand
pounds were deficient, and exposure
was inevitable. He had certainly
settled the house and furniture upon
his wife; but he had settled IL after
his marriage, and when he was not
actually solvent; consequently, the
settlement was worth SO much waste
paper. And now he was a fugitive
from his country, branded with dis
grace and crime, and his wife would
be turned out without a home, and
without a shilling i'll the world, save
the notes she had pockeled. Specula-
ton.
George, you see what gambling
will bring man ." Maria observed
to her brother that evening
cay. How can | be thankful
enough that l escaped this fate"
"By ever serving the merciful G ID
who snatched you from the danger
she replied, in an impressive tone.
Maria remained ten days at Briarly,
and then left her brothers with
much lighter heart then she had
sought them. She had little fear of
them now As she passed the Let
sons house, on the way 10 the sta
ton, she sax stair-carpetings hang
ing out at windows, and bill posted
up-a sure sign that a sale was about
to take place. Mrs. Letsom was
gone from the town ii was conjec-
tured to her fathers house in London.
When Maria reached Wyndham, the
pony carriage was a the station To
meet her, and, to her surprise, Mr..
Lister with 1t. He came up To her
with his cordial smile of welcome.
"WiIl yon accept me as charlor-
teer in place of yonr aunt? | hap
pened TO call at the farm, and found
Mrs. West lamentiug that there was
no one in the way To fetch you but
herself, and she had a visitor, an in
valid, and wished to remain at home.
So offered my services"
at is very kind of You to be at
the trouble, Mr.. Lister; and it is kind
of my aunt to send the carriage. |
did not expect it. ! was looking
forward to the long walk"
81 believe to have you back again,
Maria. she would send a coach-and-
four. She has missed you SO much.
| hope you found your brothers
WE'LL" he resumed as they drove
along.
eyes, and so happy, so steady, and
trying their best. Oh, Mr.. Lister,
/ do not think | shall be half so sad
as was, now that have that com
fort. But who is at the Glebe
Farm"
"Mrs. Letsom. | have not seen
her. | hear she is not we'll"
Mrs. Letsom" Involuntary re-
peated Maria.
"Ilow is Mr.. Letsom? Getting
rich, suppose. Did you see much
of him.,
No" hesitated Maria. She col
ored at the remark and the question.
Getting rich! Mr. Lister looked
keenlv at her. He attributed her
embarrassment to different cause,
for he had known of the attachment
Maria divided his thoughts and felt
veXed
The truth is, ! scarCay know how
to answer you, and that made me
hesitate" she said ENORMOUSLY.
"Mr Letsom is in a little trouble;
but | fancy Mrs. Letsom would not
like it talked about He is not al
Briarly, and | do not know where
he is" And Mr.. Lister smiled
again.
cob, dear, there is the old homew
exclaimed Maria, as the Glebe Farm
became visible amid the distant trees.
MY heart seems TO fail me. 1t il
not happy home to be returning
to-"
81 wish it were in my power to
offer you a BETTER, spoke the clergy
man, in a low tone; and Maria, in
q ho oc ,bo