Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-09-05

air, trying ever to QuelI the steady psln
ut her heart, but thinking, ever thinking,
of the endless shifts and turns she was
forced to make in their daily life by, the
emptiness of their purse. and when
seemed this morning 80 utterly despica-
Sle to her.
Prudie was rapid walker, and almost
before she knew it she was beyond the
outskirts of the village and walking along
q country road bounded on either sloe
by high Usage hedge. The brown leaves
of the autumn gone by swirled past her
as she walked, hardly noticing anything
as che went by.
At length, however, che turned and
began to refrace her steps. She walked
more slowly now, the wind blowing
strongly in her face Far ahead OF her
the dead leaves we're whirling IN little
eddies and heaoing themselves at me
side of the road. She picked up long
slender stick and began turning over the
leaves as she passed, finding languld
sort of enjoyment in her occupation.
All at once she started. Surely that
was no monster leaf! No, but 9 well.
filled, worn leather pocket-book, nall
covered with the hurryirg leaves. :,
Prudie stopped and picked it up. A:
that moment her bad angel must have
been passing, for she glanced furtively
around her, and seeing no one, thrust II
into the breast of her jacket and walked
on with hasty steps.
As che neared hom she met Mrs. Tay
lor, who exclaimed.
LAWS, child, how white you be
Have you heard the news? Old
Bryant has lost his pocketbook with
over $4,000 in it, and can't find hide Hol
hair on it. He's been postin' up re-
ward for it-$l00-there's one of 'em,
pointing to notice at the corner.
Prudie read it hastily, and excusine
herself passed into her sfather's yard
leaving Mrs. Taylor to soliloquize to her
self.
"She looked fit to drop. It's that Lee
Bryant's goings on with Eva Eaton!
dun know as care, she's always been
that sit up above her betters because
the Bryant's noticed her."
Prudie, on entering the house, found
not waiting father, but a note lying
upon the table. 1t was Just the hour Of
twilight, and she lighted the little read
ing lamp and read
"PRUD1E: Nv brother is very sick al
Manchester, and am obliged to leave
by the $50 train. Will be home to
morrow. FATHER"
Thus left to herself, she closed every
blind and drew every curtain in the little
cottage. Always before, when left alone,
she had gone to some of the neighbors
for company; but tonight she wished to
see no one. CHANGING stealthily around
into every corner of the darkened apart
ment, she drew the heavy pocket book
from her breast and opened it. Yes,there
it was, rolls and rolls of money, more
than she had ever seen together before
in her life. Over $4,000 of that perilous
stuff for which men barter their souls ev-
cry day-for which women sell their love
and the happiness of their lives forever.
Need l say that she was tempted? The
poverty of her every day life rose before
her-the bri sht love dream of her life,
which lay in ashes at her feet, passed
before her mental vision. No one saw
her pick it up She could destroy every
article within it, and even her own father
would never know it. Mr.. Bryant was
the owner of half million; he would
never feel the loss, while she must toll,
unloved, because she was Door.
Instinctively her hand took up the
pocket book and the few papers it con-
tanned, and placed them in the open
CRATE. Then she went for kindlings and
a match. She struck the match. It
burned with feeble ray, but that one
ray cast all it's light upon one line of an
ancient illuminated "ten command
ments" which hung upon the wall, and
that line shone out like text of fire.
"Thou shalt not steal"
The match fell from the outstretched
hand. The articles were snatched from
the grate,and she replaced every thing as
she first found them. Then the white
lips whispered, "Am 1 a thief" Con-
science answered, almost, not quite.
thanks to God"
No, no! She might be rated among the
humblest of the earth-might be tri1ed
with in her tenderest feeling by the son
of the man whose money she held-but
Prudie Warner thief Never!
Morning came cold and gray, the
of the last day of the year, the
before Mrs. Bryant's party. Be.
fore nine o'clock Prudie Warner was
again dressed in her gray walking suit
and upon the s.reet-this time bound tor
The great house upon the hill.
It was timid little pull that Prudie
gave the bell, but is was Immediately an
,wered by Mrs. Bryant herself, who kiss
I'd Prudie affectionately as she entered.
"Mv dear, why have you not called on
Is before? I have been telling Eva all
about you, and have looked for you
every day. We have been very lonely
'ince Lee has been in New York, out he
'eturns to-day. q ne in and see Eva"
md she hurried embarrassed Prudie |
nto the breakfast room. "My niece, Eva
Cation, Miss Warner" she continued. |
Why, Prudie, how dazed you look!"
"Well, 1 may" said Prudie, recovering
lerself. 81 found MIR. Bryant's pocket
,ook."
els that so?" cried Mr.. Bryant, from
he other side of the room. "Where on
arth was it?"
Prudie explained as we'll as she as
BILE, while amidst all the exclamations
nd questions that followed, golden
laired Eva Eaton had slipped into the
eat by the side of Prudie, and had
to Whisper
Lee told me all about you dear"
"Well. Pludie,' said Mr.. Bryant, "you
re q very honest little girl; just the one