Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1914-09-03
THE MAHOGANY
TABLE

The Indifference with which a wo-
man may squander the money of a
wealthy man was not one of Nettie's
characteristics; her mistake resulted
through ignorance, want of knew.
ledge of her husbands ability to
spend. She never asked him about
his money possibilities. When she
needed anything it was enough for
her to hear his, 1--WE may" He had
never yet said, 1--WE may mott" They
made one addition after another to
the pretty housa-furnishings until
all that the parlor needed was a ma
hogany table
ct must be mahogany" she said,
looking brightly up into Dicks face,
''for the nicer it is, the more pride
we shall take in it, and the longer
1t lasts, the more economical we
shall find it in the end!"
Somehow, they were not quite so
happy after the table came. Dick
would often return from business
tired and harassed and instead of
the evening stories or interesting
talk, paced the floor with a tireless
Once or twice he spoke irritably and
sharply to her, had to catch himself
end apologize for not being as loving
as usual, until one night when she
told him he was positively cross and
he answered something under his
breath about its being enough to
drive a man to drink, she ran up
stairs in a crying fit and he went out
at the front door, banging it after
him.
Whether it was long or short
time after this troubled incident, Net
tie could never tell, but suddenly
there was noise and commotion in
the hall, the sound of voices and
many feet, and Dicks voice cold and
desperate, saying: "I'll go quietly
enough; don't make a fuss; only let
me see my wife first!" She was in
the hall in an instant, struck dumb
at the sight of two burly officers.
What were they saying
ment-Dick a thief? Never! She
tried to speak but her lips refused
utterance. One last despairing look,
and Dick was gone.
"Oh, Dick! Dick" moaned the
grief-stricken Nettie. Whatever had
the officers meant when they said
embezzlement! Dick thief? Never!
1t was all a mistake, terrible, wick
ed mistake. and all her fault, for
she had been cross 20 him when he
was tired, and this was punishment
for them both.
Dick Rice's father threw down his
evening paper in establishment and
his slippered feet fell with thud
to the floor, knocking over the foot
stool as he sprang up on sight of his
sons wife, wildly dishevelled, throw
ing herself sobbingly upon the bosom
Of Mrs. Rice, declaring that Dick
wasn't a thief and she didn't know
what embezzlement meant anyway.
Drawing ION boots and coat, he
actively called numberless people
over the telephone, ending by going
out himself; while Mrs. Rice, trying
to comfort the girl, alternately dried
her own tears and Nettie's on the
same handkerchief.
Hours had dragged by to their an
xious fancy when Mr.. Rice returned,
bringing Mr.. Ross and Mr.. Plunkett,
members of Dicks firm, and among
st them Dick himself; not a cowed,
trembling Dick afraid to look them
in their honest faces, but white
faced anxious Dick whose gaze scar
ched one by che the faces before
him-lastIy his mothers and Net
ties. Mr. Ross was yoluble in his
distress. Not for worlds would he
have had this terrible mistake occur
Dick was an honest fellow; he had
trusted him as his own son; he
should speak or himself"
Nettie saw the shamefaced ex-
,1ession cross the grabbed face of
Mr.. Plunkett, who endeavored to
hide the fact that he had secreteIy
held a notiyelcss grudge against
IL CT ana " dlCEIlAS LIS OppOI unity
had charged him with theft at the
first sign of proof.
Il cannot deny it!'' came the I'M
expected reply from the boys ashen
lips. The men fell back. Il
wanted rather nice things at home"
he continued in a low voice Nettie
heard as though waking from a
dream. Il bought them,' she heard
him say thinking | could save
money enough of pay for them; but
I could not and payment was due.
/ held responsible position for the
firm; large sums of money passed
through my hands, and I used sum-
/ did not mean to steal; I could have
replaced it soon, but somebody''-he
generously left Mr.. Plunkett's name
unspoken-" watching, found it out"
"Oh, Dick! Dick" cried Nettie.
throwing herself into his arms. ct
was all my fault. | pressed you to-
spend for things we could have done
without-but I didn't know-you
didn't tell M" sobs choking her