New-York tribune., 1901-09-08


column. and then when the receipts came, to
carefully fold and docket each one and file it
as Ned did. She knew how pleased he'd be- As
for cash and currency, for OF course they had to
have car fare, servants wages and lunch. matt
nee, church, candy. and-wel. spending money
in generaEit was so easy just to draw a check
and send it over to the mess or the canteen OR
give it to the head waiter of the Palace Hotel
when they lunched there, as the ladies often
did Dear old Ned How thoughtful and loving
of him to have arranged it all for her!
1t was July when he sailed. Letters came
from HOnolulu-such loving Ietters-then
nothing more until the papers told of the fall of
Manila on August Is. and fighting seemed as
easy as living. so few We're the casualties men,
tened. But il was late in the fall before letters
began to come from Manila, and the fighting
vas over and all was Well and Ned would soon
be coming home, said she, and so rejoiced and
gave little "sDreads'-and bigger checks-in
token of her rejOicings. Then mother began
cross questioning Mother couldn't see how Nell
could live very we'll on So very little and
ventured TO ask
Captain Ross left me abundance" said Nell
lie, proudly, tapping the unused leaves of her
check book and declining to submit her ae-
counts for inspection
Midwinter came, and more news. and Feb
ruary, with sharp battling in which Ross and
his battery won hOnOrs and glowing mention
and Nell trenbled and prayed. yet rejoiced and
made glad. Papa coming home hero"
she proclaimed to the children. April came, and
still the fighting went savagely on, and day
brought tidings that the gallant captain had
been seriously wounded and was To be invaIided
home.
But men who stopped old Carson at the club
10 praise the valor of his sOn-in-law were dis
concerted by his unrespOnsive manner. and to
intimates it presently made known that
sonnet hing was amiss. one day in burst OF
confidence Carson told, as he believed. the whole
trouble.
Just as l predicted" said he that fellow
couldn't begin TO provide for his family, and
I've had to step in and do it. The bank hadn't
the heart To throw out Nellie's checks. They
finally notified me- 1 pay en-
But Nell told me Captain Ross had left her
bountifuIly provided said Mrs. Carson. when
she heard it,
"Bountifully provided. indeed said Carson.
scornfuIly Her account was ove-drawn six
weeks ago. and only one hundred and seventy
five has been paid in since Don't let Nell know;
of course 'taint her fault" said the plutocrat.
1t was June when long. gaunt reminiscence
OF a stalwart batteryman reached the arms of
his loved ones, and when, few days later, and
the raptures partially subsided Nell perched on
his knee. prepared 70 give account OF her
stewardship. The bills were beautifully folded.
briefed and tied with tape. and the check stubs
were SO clear and clerkly and legible- Why
should the captains fine eyes cloud with sudden
worriment n ran them over?
Why Dot" said he, Il fear you've over
drawn"
Indeed haven't, Why. see all these checks
have left said Nell. convincingly-
NO, but mean the amount in the banA
couldn't meet the amount you've drawn. dear.
Have they never warned yOu?
Not a bit, Why should they?'
Ross sped 10 the California straghtway and
had immediate interview with kindly Mr.. Al
word and came home a perturbed man. He
looked far from happy when he saw the car
rase of his father-in-law in front of his quarters
and further still when he heard his father-in-
laws voice. He knew that Carson had been at
the bank that very day and he storm
ing about something, and Nell. with flaming
cheeks and fearful eyes the object. Mann
ma looked helplessly AT sight of Ross Nell
flew TO him and sobbed despairingly his
shoulder.
"Oh-oh-oh-Ned. I've been wicked-and
-st-oop-Oop-pid, actually thought
SO long as-there were checks left-Oh-oh-oOOI
Hush, little woman" he murmured. drawing
her closely and kissing her fOndly 1T was all
my fault. / should have-taught you" Then,
turning to the elder man. he began in formal