The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-08-06
had called that mnrhing for the last

Mabel Wcllby was a woman In a
thousand. She lOted her husband
with the intensity OF affection which
a woman can and will bestOw upon a
man, however worthless. The next
morning after Dick had left her for
the Office with "A splitting headache,
the little housewife was in sore dis.
tiess. What was she to do? Unless
she could find the quarters rent that
day their little home would disappear.
Dick was without money, and deeply
in debt, and as to jewelry she had
none. Her every thought--like tho
good woman that she was-was for
her husband. She would do anything
to save him from worry.
At last she resolved to take bold
step. Years ago, before she became
engaged to Richard Wellby, she was
acquainted with a gentleman who had
been rejected, but who had told hcI
more In sorrow than in anger that Il
ever she wanted help he would ncvcl
refuse her.
The recollection Of that promise
flashed across her. Why should sh'
not avail herself OF it now, although
it seemed rather mean on her part
but it was for Dicks sake, and villa
would she not do for Dick?
II wonder whether he is altered.
she Thought. "Six years have no doubI
made i difference" and she searched
an old drawer for the card with biz
address in the city, which he hat
given her. Yes, here it was-20 Bas
inghall street, &c. She would takt
a bus ut once.
A few minutes later found Mabel
who had left Tiny in charge Of theiI
servant, speeding On to the great me
tr0polis.
She reached the building at last
and discovering the name among lift,
more or NO on the brass plates out
side, went boldly up to the Office.
A clerk inquired her name. Sht
hesitated, her old admircr would moi
recognize in Mrs. Wellby the girl o.
six years ago, So taking Il piece OF pa
per she scribbled across it Mabel"
She was usllcrcd into the presence
OF q man about thirty.fve, tall, strong
ly built. and with keenly cut features
"Mabcl!" he cried:
She sat down and tried bravely Il
speak, but her lips refused her.
"iavc you come to redeem my prom
isc?"
"Ycs, want your help, O George!'
forgetting for the moment the TIM
that had elapsed since they last met
you'll help us, won't you?"
The man looked up.
"Mabel, let us be frank with eacl
other. You are married, pcrhaps?"
"Ycs."
"Ah,,
lie leant back in his chair and nurs
ed his chin musingly.
"Well, one can't have all his desire
in this world, and now" speaking II
Il more business-likc tone, "the natur
Of the assistance you reQuirc:"
ITO borrow u few pounds. 'Myhus
band has lost money in speculation
gold mines or something OF the sort
and we need them badly Just now"
Mabel tried to excuse Dick on tn
ground that stock exchange invest
ments were not spcculati0ns.
After more conversation the ma
handed her two crisp hank notes, an
she rose to 30.
"By the way. l don't know you
name," he remarked.
"Wellby-Mrs. Richard Wellby,
she replied.
The gentleman gave start.
"Wellby!" he exclaimed, land Is en-
ploycd at
"Branson & Branson's, Colema
street."
"Ah! we'll, good-by Mrs. Wellby
and she left.
III.
| When Dick reached home that cvcI
ing his wife did not tell him OF II
adventure Of the morning, and as
had received no communication fro
the landlord, he concluded that &c
tlen,an had concluded to wait.
But Dick Wellby was gloomy az
morosc. His wife putting 1t down
his monetary losses pretended not
notice any difference in him.
But she did not know that the 81
be had lost had never l'een his own
all, bnt his employers!
D Ruin stared him in the face at eve
turn.
:, How was lie to pay Grayson t
4 debt Of honor and replace the mon
he had stolen from the flrm?
In Q week or two the books w0u
. be overhauled, and as be had hea
Q rumors that ~ principal intended
employ q fresh frm Of accountaI
8 this year, their scrutiny would
" more searching and his defslcatio
I could not fail to escape notice.
meant ruin, swift and complete.
D But Dick, 10 spite Of his faults, '
4 not one tn Rive 10 without strugo
& weak he might bc, but at heart
6fwas no coward. He would see Or