The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-12
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A DEBT
DANCED
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ferelvaFJ friends was that no might
nave done a good deal better for himself
than he did In his matrimonial venture.
An u. Il. with n safe seat and decided
abilities, young, good looking. we'll con-
hceted but having only a limited Income,
no was Just the man who should have
married money, and this Is exactly what
he had not done,
lie mel hls wife In Parts during a hol-
iday trip. She was a pretty, viyaclous,
Irish woman. ladylIke and attractive
but she had no fortune and was OF no
particular family.
There could be no doubt that under the
circumstances his marriage was Impru-
uent. with his $1,000 a year, Percival
had subslstnd comfortably enough as a
nachclor,: but AZ n married. NJ. p. he
FOUND that his Income simply went no
why nj all,
The natural CONSEQUENCE followed.
fcrclval got into debt.
lie already owed nearly 5000. u crush
INF liability TO a man with Il small in
I'm and no capital. Indeed, he U.u not
attempt to disguise from himself that
unless something very unexpected turn
eG up he must soon be hOpeleSSly lnsnl-
vent,
The house wus In committee on n bin
when was being fought tooth and nail
lbS the opposition. and urgent whips had
been Issued to the members OF both par
Ties 70 be as frequently as possible In
their places. But there were many drcary
Intervals OF debate when no big d.
vision was Imminent.
In his worried state or mind the dull
ness or II domestic evening or the yet
deadller boredom OF Il political conver-
sltlon WAS unInvItlng.
Within Il mile OF the palace of West
minister there Is, as all the world knows,
a famous theatre OF varieties. One
evening during IL particularly drowsy
debate a fellow VI. p. had suggested to
perclval that they should run across to
the y and see the rainbow danscuse.
After that night he went 10 see her
pretty regularly.
JUS before the dance the stage was
darkcned; behind loaned a background
OF fnurky clouds. gloomy as the sky be-
fore an impending thunderstorm; then q
brilliant blaze OF sunlight burst upon
the Swallowed scene. and whlrlinE Wild
" In It's dazzling rays appeared the Ia
nous rainbow dAnseuse.
II II had ended with his merely admir-
Ing this raviShIng beauty from a dis
lance all might have been well. But
such i]nfatuatIun us Perclval's was not
satisfied 10 confne Itself within those
modest limits.
He actually addressed one or two let
tcrS 10 the young lady. To his great
chaSrin she sent him no reply. AT last
In desperation he procured an introduc-
ton TO the manager Of the y, and be-
souSh; that Gentleman'S aid In his fool
ish and culpahle project.
~ ell, Nr. Percival. l will communi-
cate your wishes TO the young lady. and
Will then let you know her reply."
The following night, when he ought
to have been In his place in the house.
listening 10 the ministerial leaders
statements, he was lowering near the
stage door OF the y.
Perclval had 4 cab waiting for him al
the corner II. noticed another cab
drawn up opposite the stage door.
In a few minutes he saw the girl hur-
ry out. and get into her cab. Then he
jumped into his own. having instructed
the driver 20 follow the other vehicle
and keep It carefully In sight.
When they had driven about n mile,
his cab stopped. The ". p. got out. He
saw the young lady alighttng from her
cab about 4 hundred yards away. With
a beating heart and trembling steps he
followed her.
Pcrcival realized with n certain thrill
OF ~uneasIness that II was p street,
the street in which his own house was
situated.
But something worse was In store.
The young lady stopped and appeared 20
ha rar,AFpIi,. ar~rptiHlzIpC rho hara
Then. after some evident hesitation, she
walked straight up to the door Of Per-
cival's house and rang the bell. \ MIN
ute later she was admitted.
All at once the truth flashed upon the
unhappy N. p. There could. or course.
be no doubt upon the subject. This
young lady. annoyed and frightened by
his persisten, attentions. and seeing that
silent disda!n had no effect in stopping
them. had taken the ready and effective
method OF reporting him to his wife.
He entered the drawing room. His
wife was now alone. She looked up al
him with a cold. altered expression that
made him Vince. But he p~erscvered.
He told her all, She avcrted her face
and heard his confession to the end In
Ominous silence.
And so. Jim. my make up, my golden
wig and my whIrlinG draperles-to say
nothing OF the shifting lights and sha-
dows thrown upon me-batled even
your penetration. Eth, sir??"
Jim was staring at his pretty wife.
who had now risen n stood before
him smiling archly. in evident enjoy
ment Of his obvious relief and aston
Ishment.
And you fell in love with my make
up-f0r that Is what It amounts 10,
doesn't t., JIM"
by Jovc!" he exclaimed with empha-
sisI. that explains 1t. Il was your eye,
that did It, little girl. They drew me TO
You. | could not resist the spell.
could not explain IL to myself. To think
| never guessed. BY Jovc. | vas a
duner. ought 10 have known tina; M
such eyes we're to be found In all Eng
land"
"Or in nil America, either" question:
ed the rainbow danscuse. playfully.
but / say" asked Jim, an Idea strlk-
Ing him, these social functions which
YOU have been attending so assiduou5ly
for}thc past few montns-have they been
simple blinds to dupe your unsusplcIous
hIsbnnd-oh. Jennie"
Not at all. sir. ! went TO them nll.But
as my turn at the theatre lasted only
ten minutes or so, l was able TO go there
as we'll. Besides. shc added. with the
slightest tlngc OF playful reproach In her
tone. you have not been Mt horne
enough lately to miss me very much,
have you. Jlm?"
by Jovc," he cried. 81 will turn Yer
a. new leaf in that respect Tonight"
"Thcre! Dear old JIM" she ex-
claimed.
MIR. Y. has paiU mc-what do YOU
think?-so5O week. That Is n check for
ten weeks salary. At this rnte your
raInbow goddess will SCOT dance you
clear out OF debt. won't she, JIM"
And she soon dld.-London Truth.
Always short.
Fortune tcIlcr-hh, let me sec. You