The Red Cloud chief., 1900-05-25

h'c"' =" ''y "
black even his love for Barbara cannot
make him forget it, a trouble so dark
he dare not face his mothers gentle
trouble he locks in his own
heart, while day by day the end comes
nearer. Even II he told Barbara she
would not understand. Racing debts
and promissory notes would be Greek
and Latin to her. But by degrees
George becomes graver and quieter;
his sunny smile is forced sometimes,
and his light-hearted gaiety seems to
have deserted him. And then Mrs.
Bouverie falls ill-so Ill that any
shock or worry might be falkland
lump in his throat and wet eyes. And
now his heart is breaking with his
W troubles, a sea of debt is engulf-
ing him. In a month a bill for one
hundred pounds falls due, and he has
nothing to meet 1t with, his W al
lowance anticipated long ago, and the
mother who might have helped him
lying too i'll to care now.
mo excitement" the doctors say.
"The least shock would prove fatal
No wonder George Bouverie looks
miserable, and his face has a drawn.
gray look. Dishonor Is an ugly word,
and that is what 1t will mean. The
man who had helped him into the
mess will not help him out Of 1t. He
has left the country, and George has
to bear 1t all alone.
How to get a hundred pounds? That
is the problem that haunts George
Bouverie with a sick agony Of uneasi-
ness that will not be quoted. 1t Is
always there-the certainty Of ruin
and the shame of it Is horrible.
Money, borrowed to pay his racing
debts. 1t seemed so easy at the time.
and three months seemed such a long
way off. He would be sure to have a
run of luck and be able to pay. But
the man who had lent him his name
has gone, and George has no means of
procuring a hundred pounds. With a
sinking heart, he remembers with a
blush that scorches his cheek that his
mothers income Is very slender. She
had given nearly all to him, saying,
in her sweet, lovable way:
What can an old woman like me
want? A young man must have pocket
money"
IF she had only been harder on me
when l was a little chap" groans
George now, realizing too late that his
own way has not been a good way
N,,a Danhnra ,nppnt annnfnrt him
now.
The winter has worn itself away and
March has come-March that has more
Of the shy witching Of April than the
usual boisterous month that proverbi-
ally enters as a lion.
Still no answer from Tasmania.
Does Mr.. Saville also mean to ignore
the engagement? 1t were hard to say,
but it looks like 1t.
Mrs. Bouverie slowly creeps back
from the borders of the shadow land,
and George keeps his misery to him.
self, while the day of reckoning draws
nearer and nearer.
Today the lovers have met. Bar
bara has ridden over on her bicycle tc
ask for Mrs. Bouverie, and George
walks with her down the avenue. Bar
bara cannot fail to notice his detected
manner the look of trouble thai
blots the sunshine from his face.
They stand together in the sunshine
and the light falls on their young
faces, and out across the lawn th'
sunbeams touch the daffodils.
Barbara looks at them with a smile
II always think OF Wordsworth
lines" she says, and quotes then
softly:
1.-THE waves beside them danced; blu
they
Outdid the sparkling waves In glee
A poet could not but be a
In such a jocund company.
! gazed and gazed, but little though
What wealth the show to me ha'
brought"
George only signs.
She slips her hand into his as h
wheels her bicycle beside her.
Poor George, 1t must have bee
such an anxious time for you; bu
your mother Is better, really better
now"
YES" he says, moodily looking wit
unseeing eyes at the %nodding, dancin
d~affodils, and drawing another lon
sigh. Then his eyes rest on her fac
with a sudden agony Of regret she ca
not fathom.
Barbara, my darling, I am nj
worthy OF you!" he exclaims, in a voie
that speaks OF desperation.
She lifts sweet, smiling eyes.
"You must not say that, George
but, dear, why do You look so III
happy?"
81 can't help IT," he bursts gu
Barbara, l am a most unlucky re
low. Dear, 1t would be better Tor yo
If you never saw me again.
She looks half frightened, but N
hand creeps closer into his palm
There isn't any fresh trouble
there?" she asks, noting all at once u
haggard look in his face.