Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-22

then mana Claspeu ueI tuTOdt aHd hSiu
her down, and dragged out the bag OF
money, and she was released. Half
suffocated, she for moment found her
self motionless and bewildered, con-
scious only of draught of air from the
open doer, and some confused noises.
Then she sprang to the door and
hurried into the shop.
"Dick Dick !" she cried: Dick !!
Dick help wake up I'm robbed !!
But there was 20 answer; the door
into the street was wide open, and by
the moonlight that poured through it
she saw as she peered under. the counter
that Dicks bed was empty. The boy
was gone.
Gone gone Oh that was worse to
Granny Briggs than even the loss OF
the money; for she had trusted him and
he has deceived her. She had loved
him and he had abused her love. The
ne;hgbors were right; she was q fool to
trust strange street boy, and had been
served rightly when he robbed her.
When the dawn had broken the wise
neighbors came into Granny's shop to
find her crying and rocking to and fro |;
and they told her they had told her SO,
and she only shook her head. Life had
lost its interest for her. Her "occu-
patton was gone,' but not with her
savings. Money was but money, after
all; he had come TO be the only thing
she loved, and Dick had robbed her.
1t was ten o'clock. Granny sat moan
ing by the kitchen hearth. Good natured
Mrs. Jones from the stairs was 50 seeing
to things" and trying to cheer her,
when suddenly there came a rap on the
door and policeman looked in.
"Mrs. Briggs ?" he said.
"Here she is" said Mrs. Jones.
"Yes, I'm the wretched critter, said
Mrs. Briggs.
"Some one wants to see you at head
quarters" said the officer. There's
boy there and some money"
"Dick !" cried Mrs. Briggs. Oh,
1 can't bear to look at him."
But Mrs. Jones had already tied on
her bonnet and wrapped her in shawl,
and taken her on her arm.
"The wretch y she said. "I'm so
glad he's caught; you'll get your money
back"
And she led Mrs. Briggs along
poor Mrs. Briggs, who cried all the
way, and cared nothing for the money.
And soon they were at their destination.
Then, not before, the policeman turned
to the two women.
"It's pretty bad" he said. "They II
take him to the hospital in an hour. 1
suppose you are prepared for that.
He's nearly beaten to death you know. ="
"Did you beat him, you cruel
wretch?" said Mrs. Briggs. II wouldn't
have had it done for half the money.
Let him 60 with it if it's any comfort to
him"
81 beat him." said the mar. "Well,
women have the stupidest heads. Why,
tif I hadn't got up when I did, he'd
have been dead. He held the bag of
money tight. and the thief wss pun
melting him with loaded stick and the
pluck he had for little shaver-I tell
you never saw the like"
"You shant take granny's money
from her." says he, and he fought like
little tiger. If it's your money, old
lady, he's given his life for it for all
know"
"Oh, Dick! Dick! knew you were
6OONs l AAuou AuVO OCOA CAdLy w uOuUt
you;;" and then she wrung he- hands
and cried: "Oh, Dick, for just paltry
bit of money"
- M g .sse knslt beside the stilJ nsle
face upon the pillow and kissed it, and
called it tender names.
And Dick, never guessing her suspi-
cions of him, whispered:
II was so afraid he'd get of with it, if
he killed me, Granny, and you in such
high hopes last night"
He did not know what was meant by
begging him to forgive her. 1t would
have killed him if he had, for he was
very near to death.
But Dick did not die. He got we'll
1T last, ana came back 30 The little shop
and though Granny Briggs had her
savings, she never went to the old
ladies' home; for long before she died
Dick was one of the most prosperous
merchants in the city. and his hand.
some home was hers, and she was very
happy in it.
| Pedal TnScrlnfIOnS