Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-02
Continued from frst page.)


see how Il is. You are sick and tired.
Your looks show it only too plainly" He
laid his arm in the old-fashioned way upon
the shoulder OF his friend. "Let me show
you TO your bed. You can have one good
nights rest with me. at any rate. To-mor-
row you will rise fresh and hearty. You
have not come back here to die The air
from the Abingford hills will put new life
into your wasted frame, and make Won an
other man. Come. and then we'll live
over some OF the good old days that never
more come back to u.s."
The poor fellow tried to be light-hearted
and enthusiastic for the sake of his old
friend, and succeeded well at first. but
broke down at the end with a groan of
bitter anguish.
Heber looked at him lovingly, watching
him as he sat there. his head bowed and
his chin resting on his bosom.
"Wbat is it P" he asked presently. Il
cannot understand. II seems to me more
Ike dream than ANYTHING else. I can
not think of You otherwise than JOYOUS
and prosperous. Tell me, is there any,
thing wrong?"
Abel raised his head He was too much
prostra'ed to take offence at the intma-
ton. He only said:
''Can You ask that of me- ?"
81 knew 1t !" cried Heller. only
wanted TO make it treblv certain
Let me say this for your sake. contn-
ned Able. "If you ever have a bow. teach
him to saw No. kindly and gently. but
firmly never could Nv father said
so. and that il ever came tn grief Il
would be because of that. have carried
half The merchants and business men of
Abingford on nv back because I could
not deny them or turn a deaf ear to their
supplications. In my need they have
failed me. and now there is not one but
would take the last drop Of my blood if ii
would cancel what is due them"
~ knew it knew itr' cried Heber
again. Thank God!
Both Abel and Rose looked anxiouslv at
him. somewhat startled at the vehemence
OF his repeated ejaculation. They were
still more startled, If not alarmed at his
immediate actions.
He sprang hastily from the sofa. and
seized the little satche which he had
dropped near the door, but upon which he
had kept frequent eye since he entered.
In his eagerness to open It.. he almost
tore the lock from the flimsv leather.
He pulled into view what seemed to be
roll OF old newspapers, and laid II upon
the table. His eagerness now disappeared
and he proceeded with great care.
One sheet after another was unroled
from the bundle. until it became reduced
in size to package resembling a brick
carefully wrapped up. about nine inches
long. four inches wide, and perhaps four
inches thick.
A white cloth inclosed this. and that off.
fastened with firm elastic bands appeared
some folded paper, the prevailing color of
which was that which is such favorite
with our Government-green.
The elastics broken, the crisp papers,
unconfined, slipped into loose pile that
fascinated the accustomed eve of Abel.
He handled them as miser touches gold.
Count" said Heller, and Abel did as
he was hidden, in a few minutes announc-
ing the result
Two hundred. Two hundred one thou.
sand dollar United States Governmep,
bonds!
my share of silver mine that we
opened five years ago." said Heber.'
Take them and open your bank again
Tomorrow morning. Curse these ours
that snarl at stricken lion :"
Abel caught his breath and sank back
upon the sofa, trembling all over like one
10 the palsy.
"Do you mean this, HeberP' he
gasped.
"Mean !" echoed Heber "'That
which have. as il always has been, is as
much yours as mine'n
Rose sank upon her knees beside He.
Der, and covered his hands with her tears
and kisses. The look that he cast down
upon her might have come from an an
gel.