The enterprise-recorder., 1908-12-24
A SHIFT OF THE WIND.
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The small desk from which Pauline
pushed away her chair seemed Nv
ing menace to her distracted mind.
An hour before she had seated her
self with a brave resolution TO
straighten matter, and now after the
worrying hour, heartsick and hopeless
over the result, the',woman stared III
despairing wonder. What should she
do?
There lay her little bank book, the
pile of neatly arranged bills, her
. check book, three letters from insist
ent collection lawyers and, most dire
full of all, a writ of attachment placed
in her hands that very morning by a
polite man who wore brass buttons on
his vest. This man had surveyed hef
surprise with an air Of benevolent
suspicion.
The emptled pigeonholes appeared
! to glare at her like eyes OF reproach'
also the red figures in her recently
balanced bank book, indicating SAD
overdraft. The bank had dreadful
way of accounting for its errors ana
invariably put her in the wrong she
would not go to the. bank, There was
only one thing TO do.
Opening a drawer Pauline drew OUT
a photograph, gazed at 1t, moaned like
a hurt creature and finally, win
smarting eyes, began to tear the cara
Her fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
81 can't" she whispered, dropping
the picture. "He is only a memory
now, but can't destroy it. When
am Mrs. Winch-John-oh!' ~
Her maid was answering the door
bells clear peal. ?auline's fingers
were quick with handkerchief ant
hair. What on earth did Carson
Winch want at this time of day?
I'm in the library, Matte shi
called, a bit amazed at her stead
ness.
IT'S Mr.. Winch, ma'am," pushing
aside the portieres.
well, show him in here, | thought
It sounded like Mr.. Winch. Is he
alone "
mo, ma'am. Another gentleman Fl
with him."
"An right, I'll see them" Sh'
pushed the telltale books and paper
in a heap and rose TO draw a curtaii
for a softer light. Pauline was nearl,
twenty-eight and showed it in the sur
The men came in smiling,
"I've brought Dean Wickham to Sc
YOU. Miss Allard," said Mr.. Winch
you've heard me speak OF him.
"Oh, yes, l am very glad TO NEE
Mr.. Wickham." Pauline's hand wen
out cordially to grasp the clutch q
a bronzed. bearded, thick set mai
who regarded her admiringly
"Sit down and get acquainted, yo
two" said Winch. Il can't stay T.
get around again before noon and ca
ry him off, Pauline"
There was that in his tone sugge
tive Of proprietorship and familiart
which grated on Pauline's nerves.
was a new note, something more tha
usual. and the woman felt a pang {
. ! resentment OdI5Ou bAbuAN Ne4b
little longer to pay for that
Pauline had been quite all wintt
and spring. The money left by h'
aunt must be about dissapated, NJ
Winch thought Pauline had lived {
legacies with small doubt OF mo
coming at opportune times. Som
thing always turned up.
Her disregard Of consequence
could lead to but one end. Her sc
wants had indignant noses. Win,
s. heard rumors and chuckled gocN nj
/. uredly. Pauline was superior woi
l. an. He wanted her and meant to g
; her. II was merely question Of I
l. tience. Lately his reward seemed
S his hand. Pauline's negatives lack
p the true ring.
n After his CHEEKY departure the no
'r ess talked brightly to Wickham a
o soon had the stranger recounting b
3 OF his history. She liked the ms
'e There was a fine streak OF simple!
In his direct. crisp manner.