El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-06-23


ing him a letter which was mostly in cop
per plate. He read it through with brief,
sour comment.
Him! Bank! Your private account
overdrawn. That's the third time this
year, Laura. Warning seems to be no use.
You are determined to know what ruin
tastes like
Ruin, pshaw! You don't put me off
with that silly tale. To begin with, don't
believe it for an instant, and even if it
were true I'd rather he ruined than re-
trench. You and L can afford to be candid
between ourselves, Theodore. You know
perfectly well that we have gained our po-
sition in society purely and solely by pur-
chase
TO my cost 1 do know it. But, having
paid your entrance fee at least light times
over, think you might be content with
an ordinary subscription. That ball last
night for Instance
WAS necessary. And L couldn't afford
to 90 the thing otherwise than gorgeous
ly.'
''GorGcouslyI Do you think / m Croesus
Laura, to pay for gearing one room with
red roses, and another room with pink ard
another room wi6h Marshal Niels for fools
to fit in during one short night? This
mornings paper informs me that those
flowers came Iy special express from Nice
and cost $500. =
And yet you twit me with extrava-
cancel All the papers have got in that
paragraph, as took care they should, and
everyb body will read it. Yet the flowers
only cost a paltry $500, so that in credit
am 42O0 to the good, because 1 have clear
ly given the ball of the season. Theodore
you are shortsi GIFTED. You are a fool to
your own profit. By myself l shall make
you a baronet this year, and if you had
only worked in your own interests half as
hard as l have done you could have gone
into the house of lords.
Titles, " said Shelf grimly, q for peo-
pie of our stamp are only given for direct
cash outlay in almshouses or picture gal
leries political clubs. Before they are
bestowed a crown censor satisfies himself
that ones financial position is broad and
absolutely sound. There are reasons con-
nected with those matters which block you
further and further from being 'milady
every day
Mrs. Shelf shrugged her shoulders in ut
ter unbelief. Your preaching tendencies
cover you like a second skin, Theodore.
1t seems as if you never drop the conven
ticle and the pleasure of pointing a moral
at one. Believe me, it isn't paying spec
ulation, this can't of yours. At the most
they will only give you trumpery knight
hood for it. But go your own way and
I'll go mine-you shall be made in spite of
yourself
Mrs Shelf noticed that at this point her
husbands eyes were beginning to glow
with dull fury. She objected to scenes,
and dropping the subject reverted once
more to her present needs.
However, let us drop this wrangle and
come to business. 1 wish you to see to
that impertinent circular from the bank.
l have several checks out and unpresented.
l absolutely must draw others today for
trifies which will add up to about a thou
sand. You must see that they are honored.
1t is all your own fault, this trumpery
worry about nothings. You should not try
to screw NE down to such a niggardly
allowance
Shelf stood up, and the dog on his lap
leaped hurriedly to the ground, growing.
Woman" he said passionately, IF you
won't believe me, if you will go on in this
mad extravaganza you will soon learn for
yourself that I am not lying, perhaps
very soon-perhaps tomorrow. When
shameful bankruptcy does come, then you
can play your hand as you please. 1 shall
not be here to hinder you any longer.
Where shall go to, how 1 shall lead my
new life, who will be my partner, are
matters which you will be allowed no