Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-06-03
A mORNING CALL

WHY"
with these norrid bills-it's quarter
day or something believe every year
has sixteen quarter days." and she
brought down her white hand angrily
upon a packet of freshly opened bills
lying before her on her writing table
A pretty looking woman sitting in a
pretty room, perfectly dressed, with
fair, well-arranged hair, and delicate
white hands. Opposite to her was
seated a man-young and good look
ing, stretched indolently in an easy
chair.
Tell George about them" he said.
Georges wife looked troubled.
He makes such fuss now, and
scolds, and is so disagreeable that
hate asking him for money"
Borrow of me-"
"You dear, kind Jack, certainly not.
One beggar can't rob another! Be-
sides, you've no idea of the awful sum
/ want. Oh, dear, I'm so miserable"
And big tears stood in the lovely eyes
that had given her the name of Violet.
Don't worry" he said, turning away
so as not to see her tears, "tot up the
amount you owe, and tell me what it
comes to"
I've done that already. I've been at
it all the morning-it's a frightful
amount-it comes to 1000 pounds.
Jack gave a low whistle.
Great Scott! I've nothing like that.
How much does George allow your"
"A thousand a year"
And cant you manage on that?
Why, once we should have thought it
a fortune!"
"Of course, but, you see, | do spend
a lot upon my clothes-no one can
dress as do upon much less, but that's
not it, the the fact is / have an awful
drain upon me- Oh, Jack, I'll have to
tell you, for l must confide in some
body, and you are such an old friend
1 wouldn't if you were rich, because
then you would want to help me; but
perhaps you can help me with advice"
Tell me-" he said quietly.
well, you remember, don't you, the
dear old days at home, when you were
so much with u.s."
Il should rather think l did! That
was jolly little house your poor moth
er had on the river! We did have good
times, didn't WEI"
Yes; but I'm afraid Molly and
both got the name of being rather i'm
prudent"
"Beastly gossip"
"Yes, but I'm afraid we gave cause
for it. Look how you and l used to go
for moonlight excursions on the river,
to come back to find Molly and Captain
Dacres walking in the wood"
There was always that horrible old
woman, Madame Devonne, about"
Hateful creature!" Violet exclaim-
ed, angrily.
And after all, what harm did We
do? Why, never even kissed you ex-
cept one!" and he sighed.
"Yes-only once" and she laughed
and bushed; but l must go on with
my story. You remember the first
time Captain Dacres brought George
to see us?"
Perfectly" he said drily.
q And how mamma called me up to
her room and told me, with tears in
her eyes, that she felt sure that she
had not long TO live-don't look at me,
Jack, for / can't help crying when /
talk of mamma-and how poor Molly
and would be when she died, because
some pension stopped at her death, and
then she said that she had heard that
George was good man and very rich,
and that her one prayer was that he
might take liking to one of u.s."
And he plainly showed the very
first visit that he had taken a liking
to viz"
Yes, think he did. Well, to go on
I'm awfully ashamed of what have
to tell you!" and a deep flush spread
itself up to the roots of Violet's hair.
that lovely, dark gold hair that was
part Of her charm.
"All right; don't mind me-
You know" she went on, nervously,
"just about that time, in spite of our
brotherly and sisterly protestations,
had begun to be fond of you-at least"
with an awkward laugh Il fancied
was!"
by Jove!" and he turned quickly
in his chair and looked with a strange
expression in his eyes at the lovely wo-
man before him
Il know II was very silly and very
horrid Of me. because, of course,
knew all the time that you only
thought of me as a nice sort of sister,"
/, Jack gave harsh laugh and rose to
light cigarette.
We'll, when George proposed to me
was dazzled by the idea Of being his
wife and living in a big house, and
having lots Of diamonds and carriages
and things, and above all, dear mamma
was so relieved and happy. and 50
said Yes"
.. You did quito right" he said quiet
ly..
But, you see, Jack, when / accept
ed George / did not love him. found
him cold and shy, and felt half afraid
of him, SO just before the wedding day
/ did a dreadful thing. IL wrote
letter to you and asked you to run
away with me, and told you l was
much fonder of you than l was Of