The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-11
a PRETTY - 70
~ " COMPANION

BY Louise bedford.


all that was left of the wreck Of their
little fortune. and she dare not draw
it out.
Surprising that by any unforeseen
circumstance she was thrown out of
her present situation, she must have
some small reserve fund, so that she
could support herself until she could
obtain something else.
Clarice would have been the first to
notice her heavy eyes the following
morning. but that her heart was full OF
her own troubles.
He's going tomorrow, Janetta." she
said. when the girl entered her room.
Il can't think what is the matter with
me. l never cry at the thought OF
his going; but today could sob my
heart out. I've weight like lead on
1t. l feel something as if had come
to an end of it all"
An end of what?" questioned Jan
eta kindly.
"Of life-or, rather, OF the love
which is my life. He's going right
away from me, and he may be going
to his DEATH"
you can trust him to Gods hands"
said Janetta gently.
"Oh he may forget me-"
'You trust him too well to think of
that"
Il shall feel that he has passed be-
yond my reach; there is something
which seems to warn me that am
losing him forever"
When Clarice was dressed and car
ried to her boudoir, Harry Merivale
came and sat down by her, and Janetta
watched the restless look die out OF
Clarices face, all doubt and discomfort
dispelled by the sunshine of her lovers
presence. Then she slipped quietly
from the room, and went to the study
to answer her brothers letter.
She did not begin it at once, her
heart was full Of her friend, and he.'
misery at her lovers departure; and
yet. was she so greatly to be pitied?
She thought of the alteration she had
seen written but now upon her fea-
lures. of the tender, loving sympathy
Of his.
To love and be loved, after all, were
the two chief factors of human happi-
ness. and that Clarice had. One diff
Guilty Captain Merivales departure
would remove from her path-she
would not need to make excuses to
avoid going out with him. Their ac-
quaintance would be brought to an alb
rupt termination.
Then she opened and re-read her
brothers. letter, and the oftener she
read it the more perplexed she became.
as to what the answer should be. De-
spite her love and warning, Neville was
steering straight for the rock on
which their father had wrecked his
life! Janetta laid down her head upon
her arms and sobbed aloud.
!" Miss. Howard. Clarice wants to
W." Captain Merivale stood in
dlsnieVed establishment behind Jan
etta's chair, the question he came to
ask dying IN his lips. This man, who
would have faced an army without
turning color, was inclined to run away
at the sight of a woman's tears.
I'm sorry-I'm afraid I've intruded
upon you," he stammered.
"Yes-no-at least, it doesn't mat
ter" said Janetta. I'm in trouble,
but no one can help me out of it.
What did Miss Seymour wish?"
Forgive me-" said Harry gently;
but in your great kindness the other
day you assigned to me the position
of friend. If you feel me to be such,
can't help you? If you are alone in
the world, as Clarice limited to me one
day. it is possible that just common,
everyday fellow like myself may be OF
use to you, might give you advice, for
example, on any business matter that
is bothering you"
There was a dawning hope in Jan
etta's heart that here was the friend
she needed; this kind, capable, Gull
tured man of the world would be able
to tell her what was the really wise
thing to do about Neville.
Il have one brother, and I'm in
trouble about him." she said simply.
YES" said Harry, seating himself
in chair with grave attention. Then
bit by bit Janetta told him the story,
just the simple facts; and Harry, as
he listened, saw how the girls life
had been one long self-sacrifice, and
Offering for the salvation of another,
who apparently declined to be saved.
His heart burned with indignation.
And you wish to know if it is right
to throw good money after bad, to rob
yourself of your last farthing so that
your brother may be saved for a week
or two longer from the consequences
of his own wilfulness?" he said, when
Janetta paused for moment
1T does not seem to me difficult
question to decide. If you want to
complete that young fellows ruin, you
will go on letting him depend upon
you as he has done hitherto. You tell
me that he cannot live on his salary,
and that you have taken this situation
in order to supplement it. Mind, l
think 1t is wholly wrong principle
for brother to take help from sis
ter; but, still, you have promised to
help him. Very well, stick to the ex-
act letter of your promise. and don't
go farthing beyond it.
I'm passing through town tomor-
row. and will go and see him if you
like. 1t might not hurt him to hear
the opinion Of man about his be-
hayior.
ooh. MOI" cried Janetta quickly. II
could not bear to think that had ever
discussed him with anybody. It is the