The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER II-Continued.

1AS TOTAL was seventeen 0unQreu
and sixty-four pounds, fourteen and six
pence. Mrs. Carmichaels payments on
account amounted to four hundred
pounds; leaving a balance of thirteen
hundred and sixty-four pounds for the
captain to liQuidate.
Indeed, dear Conrad, it is not such
a very tremendous account" pleaded
Pamela, appalled, by the expression of
her husbands face. Theodore has
customers who spend two thousand a
year with her.
Very laudable extravaganza, If they
are the wives of millionaires. But that
the widow of a Hampshire squire, a
lady who, six years hence, will have to
exist upon a pittance, should run up
such bill as this, is, to my mind, an
act of folly almost criminal. From this
moment / abandon all my ideas of
nursing your estate, Oh providing COM
fortably for our future. Henceforth We
must drift toward insolvency, like
other people. 1t would be worse than
useless for me 20 go on racking my
brains in the endeavor to secure a
given result, when behind my back
your thoughtless extravaganza is stul-
tifying All my efforts"
Here Mrs Carmichael dissolved into
tears
She went over to him and laid her
hand TREMENDOUSLY on his shoulder, and
looked down at him with piteous,
pleading eyes. Even Conrad Car
michael's hard nature was touched by
the piteousness of her look and tone.
He took the hand gently and raised it
TO his lips.
Il don't mean to be cruel, Pamela"
he said. Il only want you to face the
truth, and to understand your future
position. 1t is your own money you
are squandering and you have a right
TO waste it if it pleases you to do so.
But it is a little hard for a man who
has labored and schemed for given
result, suddenly to find himself out in
his calculations by SO much as thir-
teen hundred and sixty-four pounds.
Let Us say no more about it, my dear.
Here is the bill and it must be paid.
We have only to consider the items
and see If the prices are reasonable"
And then the captain, with bent
brow and serious aspect. began to
read the lengthy record of en- English
passed over in silence, or'with only
a sigh, keeping his wife by his side,
looking over his shoulder.
Point out anything that is wrong"
he said; but as yet Mrs. Carmichael
had found no error in the bill.
Il will be dreadfully economical In
future, Conrad. For the last year
have dressed to please YOU"
But what becomes of all thesn
gowns?" asked the captain, folding
up the bill; what do you do with
them?"
They go out"
"OIt where? To the colonies"
NO. dear; they go out of fashion,
and ! give them to Pauline"
IA sixty-guinea dress flung to yor:-
waiting-maid, The Duchess of Dover.
dale could not do things in better
style"
Il should be very sorry not to dress
better than the duchess" said Mr.
Carmichael; she is always hideously
dowdy. But a duchess can afford Il.
dress rs badly as she likes"
Il see. Tnen it is We only who oc-
cupy the borderland of society who
have to be careful. Well, my dear
Pamela, / shall send Madame Theo-
dore her check, and with your per-
mission close her account; and, I'M
less you receive some large accession
of fortune, / should recommend you
not to reopen it,
HIS wife gave a heart-breaking
sigh.
Il would sacrifice anything for your
sake, Conrad" she said; but | shall
be perfect horror, and you will hate
me-"
Il fell in love with you, my dear.
not with your gown"