The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-08-10

Ter before Jne1n, READ Inem the letLeI
and put myself absolutely in their
hands,"
That's it, boy-yardarm to yardarm
and have it over"
81 must go at once" He put on his
top-coat and his hat. But l have ten
minutes yet before 1 can catch the
train. There is one little thing which
1 must do before I start"
He had caught sight through the long
glass folding door of the CLEAN of
white blouse and a straw hat in the
tennis ground. Clara used often TO
meet him there OF morning to say
few words before he hurried away into
the city. He walked out now with the
quick, firm step Of man who has TAX
en- momentous resolution, but his face
was haggard and his lips pale.
Clara said he, as she came toward
him with words of greeting, II am sor-
ry to bring i'll news to you, but things
have gone wrong in the city, and-and
1 think l ought to release you from your
engagement"
Clara stared at him with her great
questioning dark eyes, and her face be-
came as pale as his
"How can the city affect you and me,
Harold?"
cit is dishonor. 1 cannot ask you to
share it,"
"DishOnor! The loss of some miser-
able gold and silver coinsr
ooh, Clara, if it were only that We
could be far happier together in a lit
tie cottage in the country than with all
the riches Of the city. Poverty could
not cut me to the heart, as I have been
cut this morning. Why, it is but twenty
minutes since l had the letter, Clara,
and 1T seems to me to be some old, old
thing which happened far away in my
past life, some horrid black cloud
which shut out all the freshness and
the peace from it,"
But what is it, then? What do you
fear worse than poverty?'
ITO have debts that I cannot meet.
To be hammered down upon change
and declared a bankrupt. To know that
others have a just claim upon me and
to feel that dare not meet their eyes.
Is not that worse than poverty?'
Eyes, Harold, a thousand fold worse!
But all this may be got over. Is there
nothing more?"
my partner has fled and left me re-
sponsible for heavy debts, and in such
a position that [ may be required by
the law to produce some at least of
this missing money. 1t has been con-
fided to me to invest, and he has en-
bezzled it. l, as his partner, am liable
for it. l have brought misery on all
whom I love-rny father my mother
But you at least shall not be under the
shadow. You are free, Clara. There
is no tie between US"
1T takes two to make such tie,
oh limo nd
her hand inside his arm. 1T takes two
to make it. dear, and also two to break
it. Is that the way they do business
in the city, sir, that man can always
at his own sweet will tear up his en-
gagement?"
"You hold me to it, Clara ?"
mo creditor so remorseless as I,
Harold. Never, never, shall you get
from that bond"
But I am ruined. Ny whole life is
blasted
And so you wish to ruin me, and
blast my life also. No, indeed sir, you
shall not get away so lightly. But
seriously now, Harold, you would hurt
me if it were not so absurd. Do you
think a woman's love is like this sun
shade which l carry in my hand, thing
only fitted for the sunshine, and of no
use when the winds blow and the clouds
gather?"
Il would not drag you down, Clara"
Should 1 not be dragged down in
deed if 1 left your side at such a time?
1t is only now that I can be of use to
you, help you sustain you. You have
always been so strong, SO above me.
You are strong still, but then two will
be stronger. Besides, sir, you have no
idea what a woman of business | am.
Papa says so. and he knows"
Harold tried to speak, but his heart
was too full. He could only press the
white hand which curled round his
sleeve. She walked up and down by his
side. prattling merrily, and sending lit
gloom which girt him in. To listen to
her he might have thought it was Ida,
and not her staid and demure sister,
who was chatting to him.
TT will soon be cleared up she said.
"and then we shall feel quite dull OF
course all business men have these lit
tie ups and downs. Why, l suppose of
all the men you meet l1pon change,
there is not one who has not some such
story to tell. IF everything was always
smooth, you know, then of course every
one would turn stocllbroker, and you
would have to hold your meetings IN
Hyde Park How much is it that you
need? ?"