Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-08-29
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SHE PAID
THE DEBT.

have done z good deal better for him.
self tkan he did IN his matrimonial
venture.
With decided abilities. young, good
looking. well connected. but having
only a limited income. lie was just the
nan who should have married money.
and this is exactly what he had not
done
He met his wife in Paris during
holiday trip. She was a pretty, viva
cicus Irish woman, ladylike and at
tractive. but she had no fortune and
was Of no particuIa.. family.
There could be no doubt that under
the circumstances his marriage was an
imprudent one. The natural conse-
quence followed. Percival got into
debt.
He already owed nearly $1,000, a
crushing liability to a man with a
small income and no capital Indeed he
did not attempt to disguise from him
self that unless something very unex-
pected turned up he must soon be hope
lessly insolvent.
One evening to divert his mind he
went II the X theater TO see the IA
nous rainbow danseuse. If It had ended
with his merely admiring this ravish-
ing beauty from a distance, all might
have been wei. But such infatuation
as PercivaIs was not satisfied to con-
fine itself within those modest limits.
He actually addressed one or two let
tiers 10 the young lady. To his great
ehagrin she sent him no reply AT last
in desperation he procured an introduce
ton to the manager Of the Y. and be-
sought that gentleman's aid IN his
foolish and culpable project.
We'll. Mr.. Percival. l will communi-
cate your wishes to the young lady and
will then lee you know her reply"
The following night. when he ought
TO have been in his place in the house.
listening TO the ministerial leaders
statements. he was lowering near the
stage door of the Y.
Percival had a cab waiting for him at
the corner. He noticed another cab
drawn up opposite the stage door.
In few minutes he saw the girl hur-
~ out and get into her cab. Then he
jumped into his own. having instructed
the driver TO follow the other vehicle
and keep it carefully in sight.
When they had driven about a mile,
his cab stopped. Perciyal got out. He
saw the young lady alighting from her
cab about hundred yards away With
a beating heart and trembling steps he
followed her
Percival realized with certain thrill
of uneasiness that it was P street,
the street in which his own house was
situated
But something worse was I'm store.
The young lady stopped and appeared
TO be carefully scrutinizing the num-
bers Then. after some evident hesita-
ton. she walked straight up TO the door
of Percival's house and rang the bell.
A minute later she was admitted.
All at once the truth flashed upon the
unhappy VI. T. There could of course
be 10 doubt upon the subject. This
young lady, annoyed and frightened by
his persistent attentions and seeing
that silent disdain had no effect in
stopping them. had taken the ready
and effective method of reporting him
TO his wife
He entered the drawing room. His
wife was now alone. She looked up at
him with a cold. altered expression
that made him vince But he persever-
ed. He told her all. She averted her
face and heard his confession to the
end in ominous silence
And so. Jim. my make up. my gold
en- wig and my whirling draperies-to
say nothing of the shifting lights and
shadows thrown upon me-baffied even
your penetration. Eth. sir?''
lin was staring at his pretty wife.
who had now risen and stood before
him smiling archly. in evident enjoy
ment of his obvious relief and aston
ishment.
And you fell n love with my make
up-for that is what it comes to. doesn't
it. Jim?"
by Jove" he exclaimed with en-
phasls. THAT explains it. 1t was your
eyes that did it, little girl They drew
me to the theater night after night 10
worship you. l could not resist the
spell. | could not explain it to myself.
To think never guessed. BY Jove, l
was duffer. ought TO have known
that no such other eyes were TO be
found.
But. l say" asked Jim, an idea
striking him. these social functions
which you have been attending so as
siduouSly for the past few months
have they been simple blinds 10 dupe
your unsuspicious husband-oh. len
nie?"
Not at all. sir. went to them all.
But as my TURN at the theater lasted
only ten minutes or so was able TO go
there rs we'll Besides" She added
with the slightest tinge Of playful re-
Broach IN Der tone. you have not been
nj home enough lately to miss me very
much. have you. Jim
by Jove" he cried, Il will turn over
new leaf in that respect tonight"
"There. dear old Jim" she exclaimed