The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1902-01-03
BY MRRY j. HOLMES


less extravaganza had hastened the ca
lamity which otherwise 1iight have been
avoided. Calmly he stated the extent to
which they were involved, adding that
though an entire failure might be pre-
vented a short time, it would come at
last, and that an honorable payment of
his debts would leave them beggars.
For myself | do not care" said the
wretched man, pressing hard his aching
temples, where the gray hairs had thick
ened within a few short weeks. For
myself do not care, but for my wife
and children-for Rose, and that she
must miss her accustomed comforts, is
the keenest pang of ALL
All this time Henry had not spoken, but
thought was busily at work. He could
not bestir himself; he had no energy for
that now; but he could marry Ella Camp
bell, whose wealth would keep him in
the position he now occupied, besides
supplying many of Roses wants.
Cursing the fate which had reduced
him to such an extremity, toward the
dusk of evening Henry started for Mrs.
Campbell's. Lights were burning in the
parlor, and as the curtains were drawn
back he could see through the partially
opened shutter that Ella was alone. Re
clining in a large sofa chair, she sat,
leaning upon her elbow, the soft curls of
her brown hair falling over her white
arm, which the full blue cashmere sleeve
exposed to view. She seemed deeply
engaged in thought, and never before had
she looked SO lovely to Henry, who as
he gazed upon her felt glow of pride in
thinking that fair young girl could be his
for the asking.
And so my little pet is Alone" said
he, coming forward, and raising to his
lips the dainty fingers which Ella extend
ed toward him. Il hope the old aunty Is
out" he continued, ''for l want to see
you on special business"
Ella noticed how excited he appeared,
and always on the alert for something
when he was with her, she began to
tremble, and without knowing what she
said asked him what he wanted of herY
POUNDS" thought Henry, "she meets
me more than half way" and then, lest
his resolution should fail, he reseated her
in the chair she had left, and drawing an
ottoman to her side hastily told her of
his love, ending his declaration by saying
that from the first time he saw her he
had determined that she should be his
wifel And Ella, wholly deceived, allow
ed her head to droop upon his shoulder,
while she whispered to him her answer.
Thus they were betrothed-Henry Lin
coin and Ella Campbell.
"Glad am | to be out of that atmos-
phere," thought the newly engaged young
man, as he reached the open air and be-
gan to breathe more freely. Goodness
me, won't | lead a glorious life? Now,
If she'd only hung back little-but no,
she said yes, before fairly got the words
out; but money covereth multitude of
sins-l beg your pardon, man'am," said
he quickly, as he became conscious Of
having rudely jostled a young lady, who
was turning the corner.
Looking up, he met Mary Howard's 3
large dark eyes fixed rather inquiringly
upon him. She was accompanied by one
of Mr.. Selden's servants, and he felt
sure she was going to visit her sister. OF
course, Ella would tell her all, and whae
must Mary think of one who could SO
soon repeat his VOWS of love to anotherf
In all the world there was not an indi-
vidual for whose good opinion Henry Lin
coin cared one-half so much as for Mary
Howard's; and the thought that he
should now surely lose it maddened him.
The resolution of the morning was for
gotten, and that night a fond father
watched and wept over his inebriate son.