The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-04-16

was" 3 ~.
"And isn't it natural enough that he
should think so, Luke?"
"Yes, yes, Mary; don't say but
what it is" murmured Luke, in the
same detected tone he used during the
interview.
"Stop," Mrs. Pratlet called to him,
as his hand lay on the door latch, in
low voice. Here is a dollar, Luke.
Mr. Pratlet gave it to ME for an oilcloth
to go in front of the parlor stove; but |
will try and make the old one last lit
tie longer And Luke, for the sake of
your poor wife and little ones at home,
for the sake of old FINEST and do bet
ter. Won't youP"
Luke Ruddilove looked vacantly at
the new bank bill in mis- hand, and then
at the blooming young matron who had
placed it there.
"Thank you, Mary. will. God
bless you," he said, and crept out into
the storm that reigned without. Mrs.
Pratlet stood looking into the kitchen
fire.
al dare say I've done a foolish thing,
but, indeed, could not help it. If he
will take it home and not spend it at the
tavern, l shall not miss my oilcloth."
And there was a conscious flush on
her cheeks as if she had done something
wrong when she joined her husband in
the sitting groom.
"Well," said Squire Pratlet, "has
that unfortunate gone at lastP"
'.Yes."
"To the Stokes tavern, suppose ?"
"I hope not, Josiah"
Sim afraid it's past hoping for, !"
said the Squire, struggling his shoulders.
But Mrs. Pratlet kept her secret in her
own heart.
1t was six months afterward that the
Squire came Into the dining-room where
his wife was preserving great red apples
into jelly.
"Well, WE'LL" quoth he, "wonders
will never cease. The Ruddiloves have
gone away"
Where?"
"I don't know-out West somewhere
with colony. And they say Luke's
not drank drop OF whisky Tor six
months.''
81 am glad of that" replied Mrs. P.
cit won't last long," he suggested
despairingly.
"Why notP"
sob, l don't know, I haven't any
faith in these sudden reforms"
Mrs. Pratlet was silent; she thought
thankfully that, after all, Luke had not
spent the dollar for liquor.
y
Six months-six years; the time sped
along in days and weeks, almost before
busy little Mrs. Pratlet knew that it was
gone. The Ruddiloves had. returned to
Sequosset. Luke had made his for
tune, so the story went, far off in Edo
RADIO.
"They do say" said Mrs. Bucking-
ham, "that he has bought that ERE lot
down opposite the courthouse, and he
is going to build such house as never
was"
He must have prospered greatly"
observed Mrs. Pratlet.
"And his wife she wears silk gown
that will stand alone with its own rich
ness! l can remember when Ruddilove
was nothing but poor drunken crea-
ture."
"All the more credit to him now,n
said Mrs. Pratlet, emphatically.
"It's to be all of stone, with white
mantels and inlaid floors; and he has
put lot of papers and things under the
corner stone, like they do in public
buildings"
"Well, that is natural enough"
~ know, yet it seems kind O. queer
that he should put dollar bill in with
the other things. He must have lots o.
money, to throw it away in that man.
ner." .........
Mrs. Pratlet felt her cheeks flush. In
voluntarily she glanced toward the
Squire. But he never looked around
She met Mr.. Ruddilove that afternoon
for the first time since his return to
Sequosset-Luke himself, save that the
demon of intemperance had been COM
pletely crushed, and his better nature
triumphing at last. He looked her
brightly in the face, and held out his
hand, saying but the one word:
"Mary."
TREMENDOUSLY she replied: 81 am glad
to see you here again"
When Luke had overcome his emotion
he continued:
"Do you remember that stormy night
when you gave me that dollar bill and
begged me not to 60 to the tavern?"
"Yes." .g...
"That night was the pivot on which
my whole destiny turned. You were
kind to me when all others gave me
naught but the cold shoulder. You
trusted me when all other faces were
averted. That night 1 took VOW to
myself to prove worthy of your conf.
dence, and | kept it. treasured it up
and Heaven has added nightly to my
little store. L have put the bill in the
cornerstone of my new house, for il
arose alone from that dollar bill.
&C. won't offer to pay you back, for
am afraid" he said, smilingly, "the
luck would 60 from me with it, But III
tell you what will do; I'll give money
and words of trust and encouragement
to some other poor wretches as you gave
to me-"
The next day Mrs. Pratlet received
from the delivery man at her door
bundle which, when she had opened it
revealed to her astonished gaze the mos
beautiful piece of oilcloth her eyes haC
ever beheld. This naturally attracted
the Squirrels attention; and when Mrs
| protlat told him oil ha on1u .a,DEod x,,;.l