The Monticellonian., 1895-07-05

Then 1t was that Jim Fleming went home. worried about tho matter, and he was never a man who concealed his irritation when he entered his own house. Poor Minnie Fleming was very much troubled to see her husband in the state of exasperation that now en. compassed him. She asked him. tim idly, to confide his woes to her, and perhaps she might be able to help him out-a suggestion which Jim received with lofty scorn.
 'Is it a money trouble, Jim9" she asked
 All troubles are money troubles, ? replied her husband. There is no other trouble in this world except lack of money.
 Have you payment to malse2s sine asked.
 Yes"
 How much2"
 Now, what the deuce good would it de you to know? Have you banking count?'
 .I have small one, said his wife, trembling as she spoke, for she felt that her secret was in jeopardy.
 Jim looked up at her quickly.
 "A small one.' he said. Cant you tell mo plainly how much money you have, if you have any?"
 You don't tell rue plainly, she an swered with more spirit than she had yet shown, how much it is that you need.
 Very well, replied Jim, grufly. II need five hundred pounds sterling. Have you got a29
 No, have hot. How soon do you want it?7
 T want it now. That is, want it tomorrow or the next day at the latest"
 Then" said his wife with dignity, "I will see if can get it for you to- morrow or the next day.
 After Fleming had left for London on the following morning his wife put on her best apparel and was in the city soon after her husband. She never called upon her agent before. All her negotiations had been carried on by letter. She walked three times past the office before she had the courage to go up the stairs. The demand she was about to make was so enormous, and she felt there was such little chance of success, that had it not been for the sake of her husband she would not have veutured
 ''i have brought you here, she said, her hands trembling as she undid the string, for she seemed to have q vague idea that if she showed him the writ ing she might have less difficulty to get along with him. "i have brought with me the complete manuscript of the latest novel have written. think 1t is better than the last"
 It is sure to be good, said the agent, eneouragingly.
 'But-but3 stammered Mrs. Elem ing Il wanted to know if you would advance me five hundred pounds sterl- ing.
 The agent looked grave.
 Do you mean that we are to ask that much for the novei?n
 oh, no, no, said Mrs Fleming ea- gerly. "But l promise to write you an other one as soon as possible. 1 need the five hundred pounds sterling for a particular purpose, and must have it to-day, if it is to do any good.
 Well, said the agent, we some. times advance money to authors, and if could be sure of having all your work for the future l think might stretch point in this case and let you have the money
 Meanwhile the agent, as soon as she left the room called the clerk and said:
 Write to James Fleming, of Pot Shots, that we regret that we are not able to sell him Hilda Markham's story for five hundred pounds. The author, tell him, has called upon us and re- fused to sell for less than six hundred pounds, although, of course, you may inform him that if he had taken our offer when first made, we would have had to pocket the loss.
 As soon as the letter was signed a messenger was sent with it to Fleming The receipt of it nearly drove that good man wild. He had the announce ment of the story in type and wanted to publish 1t in the next number. He had such little faith in his wife being able to get the money that he had actually forgotten she had promised to do so, and he went home that night in even worse temper than the night before
 His wife said apologetically to him when he came in:
 T have gotten that five hundred pounds but would it make any differ ence to you if l did not give you the check for it until to-morrow2'
 What are you talking about?" he cried, angrily. If you have the money tonight why should I wait till to-mor- row2.
 T have it in the form of check, :" she answered, and the check l wish to place in the bank
 "lI warrant the check is not good for anything, said Fleming. Let me see it
 .l would rather not do that, said his wife. ''l will give you the check if you will not ask any questions.
 "Good heavensr cried Jim. "I will ask no questions if you really have the money Let me see the check.
 He looked at 1t for a moment in and then at his wife. For getting his promise, he said;
 s'IIow in Heavens name de you come to have a check from Greig X Coz It is to Greig < Co that have to pay five hundred pounds sterling; or rather if l had the money yesterday or to-day it would have been five hundred pounds sterling Now they have raised me an. other hundred. They say that Hilda