The Monitor-register., 1897-10-01

Nettie's heart by her kindness. She
checked her horse and greeted our
heroine with a pleasant good morning.
Jump into the carriage with me-
said she. 81 was just going to make a
a call at your house, and can take you
wherever you are going as we'll as not. "
"Tm SO soIry to have left home," said
Nettie, as SIZE took her seat beside the
great lady. "We will go back, if you
like"
Mrs. Allen took up several tiny enve-
lopes lying in her lap.
81 can quite as we'll tell my erraRd
here and take you down toan," she
said. "lt is only an invitation to a little
tea party at my house on Thursday
evening. l hope you snd Mr.. Wright
can come"
"We will come with great pleasure"
replied Nettie. "Thank you very much,
Mrs. Allen. l am sure we shall both
enjoy the occasion exceedingly"
mot more than l shall enjoy your pres
ence," was Mrs. ALIENS kind answer.
Are you in a hurry this morning, Mrs.
Wright"
"Oh, no! l was only going to do some
shopping"
"Fhen perhaps you would like to drive
about a little with me and leave these
invitations?"
1t was a compliment to be seen in Mrs.
Aliens carriage, for she had the reputa-
ton OF being very exclusive, and Nettie
was glad to be her companion.
They called at one or two houses, and
were turning a corner when Nettie
suddenly said:
mrs. Allen, there comes Mrs. Rice,
the senior bookkeeper's wife, in her
carriage. AS you have asked us, you are,
l suppose, going to ask them too, and
meeting her now may save you another
CALL"
The lady smiled and said gently
"Pardon me. l do not invite Mrs.
Rice to my house,"
But" Nettie began; then remember
ing she had no right to ask questions,
she stopped and blushed f~uriously.
"Oh, l have not the least objection to
telling you the reason" said Mrs. Allen,
frankly. 81 respect Mr.. Rice highly; but
his wife is a foolish woman, and I want
nothing to do with her. l believe you
do not keep a carriage, do you, Mrs.
Wright.
sob, no, indeed" answered Nettie
surprised at the question. "We could
not afford a carriage on Fred's earnings"
"But Mr.. Rice only receives the same
amount as your husband" said Mrs.
Allen. "Poor man. 1 pity himl But 1
really must speak to Mr.. Allen about
him. Did you notice the diamond on her
finger? She had removed her glove on
purpose to show it, no doubt"
Eyes, thought I saw it flash" replied
Nettie, with some hesitation.
81 saw it plainly. And l tell you as
plainly, Mrs. Wright, diamonds.
carriages, horses and such dresses as Mrs
Rice wears cannot be honestly bought by
a man In her husbands position. Some
day the bills for all these thing s will come
in, and then, if the poor fellow has no
money Of his own, he will be tempted to
use Mr.. Aliens. Do you see?"
Nettie looked distressed.
"Oh, / never thought of that" she
cried. SIT is dreadful! But surely he
would not do such a thing!"
she does not think he would now, my
dear. But had you had the experience,
we have had IN Mr.. Aliens business, you
would know how many noble young men
are utterly rnined because of yielding to
the whims of a vain, reckless wife. Mr..
Rice is going the usual road. 1 not only
express disapproval by not asking them
to my house, but shall warn Mr.. Allen
to ask Mr.. Rice how he ex poets to pay
for his carriage and his wife's diamonds;
and if he cannot answer the question he
will probably be dismissed, as many
another smart young bookkeeper has
been, from the steel works. My dear, do
you know why l took such a fancy to
you and your busband?"
mo, 1 DON'T" answered Nettie, blush
ing rosy red.
SWELL, it was because, before you were
married, l heard your husband once
express his determination in that line;
and since then | have seen with my own
eyes how bravely you sustain him in hi
efforts to get on in the world honestly.
Because you wear this neat little cloak"
laying her hand on Nettie's cloth wrap,
''instead of a costly sealskin like Mrs.
Rice's and show your good sense by
helping Mr.. Wright keep out of debt, l
admire you, and feel honoreG by your
friendship"
To Mrs. Alleu's establishment, instead
of answering her remark, Nettie GOV cred
her face with her hands and burst into
tears.
why, my dear! what have l said to
distress you?" she hastily inquired.
"Oh, Mrs. Allen, l can hardly tell you'll
But, indeed, 1 didn't mean-oh, you
musu't think SO we'll of mel l don't
deserve it'll 1 made poor Fred give me
the money to buy a seal sack only this
morning, when be told me he could not
afford it. Indeed, 1 am just as bad as
Mrs. Rico every bit!'
mo my dear little friend, that l shall
not allow" answered Mrs. Allen.
Come, we are just opposite my house.
Let us stop a few minutes. You shall
tell me all about it, and perhaps l may
be able to give you som advice at least.
Will you Gomez"
Almost before she knew it, Nettie
found herself seated in a charming little
DON telling the whole story.
"Oh, 1 know you will despise me, but
| must tell you!'
"My child, l lik 9 you the better for
your courage in owning your fault"
Mrs. Allen said gently. 81 am sure you
did not think of what a little folly might
lead to sometimes"
"Oh, no, mol indeed l did not! | do
thank you so much for you warning, my
dear Mrs. Allen! 1t shall not be me
fault if Fred is ruined, aud l know it
won't be his ownr'
81 don't think there is any danger for
either one of you, little girl. Pm sure
we can trust you more than before"
II hope So" said Nettie. NOW 1 am
going home. and no new cloak will be
worn by me this year."