The Jewish herald. (Houston, Tex.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-29
HOUSTON, TEXAS DECEMBER 49, 1910

dared let my husband know of Simon's trouble,
which l don't dare do, Mama used up every
cent to meet last months note
Il rose, and with stride covered the dis
lance between us. was genuinely distressed
And then it seemed hard that size should
have much to contend with. / bent over
her and pleaded, softly, Please, please, don't
cry l begged. Il would "ather lose ten
times the paltry than have tear dim
your eyes I'll rather replace the whole amount
myself than see you grieyed any longer. In
deed believe me, would went on, trying to
gain possession of her hand
" oh, / am so thankful to you, she an
swered her voice still husky with emotion.
And | feel you are doing all in your power to
help us. But Mr.. Disbrow may not prove so
lenient. And now it will soon be impossible
to keep him from knowing much longer. |
had thought what a great kindness 1t would
be to us if you would both consent to let us
replace the money in installments till it was all
paid back. We would not object to your charg-
ing interest That would only be reasonable
:, That would do very well, as far as l am
concerned, but l know Mr. Disbrow well
the arrangement. l am also anxious to retain
Simon in our employ He has had his lesson,
and / think it is well learned. He'll profit by it
as long as he lives But Mr.. Disbrow will con-
slider that he has lowered the firms standing
in the country, besides misappropriating its
funds. With him it will mean instant dis
missal, and, am almost afraid to say it, prob
able prosecution. If possible, it win be best to
replace the entire sum. at once and settle 1t
afterwards, outside the office.
she looked up at me in despair, as she re-
poateu, IN u frightened Whisper. ne ehtire
sum ut oncel AS if overcome by the very
thought, her head fell forward once more. The
nape of her neck showed bewilderlngy white
against her dark blue house dress. great
longing to kiss her almost overpowered me. As
i bent over her L shook from head to foot My
mouth almost touched her as l whispered,
with yearning tenderness, Mrs Winthrop, Bess,
let me strengthen this tange out for you.
She looked up at me in surprise, Then she
stood up in her agitation. The baby was
clasped tightly in her arms. All, me, what n
fair picture she made, and how my heart left
my keeping as l gazed ON her and her babies.
My love seemed to enclose the four of them in
an all-pervading embrace. i felt that by right
of my love for her they much mine as
if she were my wife, and l the father of her
children. AS / write Harold, wonder If your
love gives you the understanding to comprehend
how regarded and still regard the woman
whose fate became so unexpectedly linked with
NINE | assure you | have not been the same
man since meeting her.
But she moved step away from me, and
asked, in a strained voice, How will you
straighten it out for met
"Once more | approached her and whispered
softly, ! will replace the money at once
. And what will my mother, Mr.. Disbrow
and my husband il they find out, and Simon
himself, think if you do this for me, you say,
laying special stress on the pronoun me
felt she had me at a disadvantage, but |
continued, You need apprehend nothing ugly
arising from this. | will replace the sum, wipe
out at Simon's connection with it, alto
gether, then to shield you, l can make out
Hotes just MS YOU SuSSesteu youIseii, III suSh
sums as not to tax your mother to meet them.
will raise Simons salary that the increase
will help meet the payments and really be in
the end as If they had paid nothing at all.
assume Smon's debt
And you're prepared to do this for us,
simply for -
she hesitated and / supplied the word with
infinite tenderness Yes, simply for your sake
She looked me full in the face, without
even blushing, as thought she would. She
shook her head and said drearily, putting NJ
her hand, as if to ward off blow. I am toe
bewildered to think now. / feel j cannot talk
coherently, Please give me till tomorrow. May
be / think out another way out of this
Her voice was pathetic in the extreme and
she looked quite exhausted.
You know we must act before it is too late
And there is your mother to consider, urged
gently.
"She nodded. Yes, know that My poo
mother must not suffer any more, If can pre-
vent it. The price | pay won't much matter
No, she mustn't suffer if repeating
thought that preyed on her mind.
II felt it would be unwise 10 press the mat
ter further, so rose 10 so. AS l was leaving
her little boy asked abruptly What is you
namel / smiled down at him and answered