Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-06-12

''Sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Rob
erts," returned the gentleman. bland
", but the fact is, we are oyerstocked
ut present, and"
you do not wish it!' she gasped,
sinking upon a chair which stood near.
"Oh. what shall l dop"
Mr.. Lawrence gazed into her face
with critical eyes.
'Do not distress yourselfr' he said,
kindly.
IL will see what can be done for you
tomorrow. In the meantime, Mrs.
Roberts, will glance over your story
myself, and report as soon as posi-
blc!'
Very WELL"
She arose pale and trembling; for
the short, dark day was drawing to n
close, and she must hasten home to her
dying child. How could Mr.. Law
renee know that she was starving; and
that perhaps her child would be dead
before tomorrow But she could not
tell her sad story-she could not beg;
so, with faltering "good-evcning" she
left the office.
Out on the crowded street, not n
block away, her foot struck some
small object lying upon the pavement.
and, STOPPING, she picked it up.
Heavens! a well-tilled pocket-book!
She stepped inside a sheltered door
way near and paused to collect her
thoughts. Visions danced before her
eyes of the comforts that she would be-
stow upon her child. Poor little fell
low! his illness was partially owing to
the lack of proper nourishment. The
mothers heart leaped at the thought
of how the pale face would light up
with pleasure; and then all ut once she
remembered, with sharp, keen pang
that the money was not hers; and if
she kept it she would be a thief.
She opened the pocket-book; it was
full of crisp greenbacks; and there on
the inside was the name in gilt letters
Stephen Lancaster.
She flew like the wind down the
street, and was ere long at the hand
some house which had once been her
own home, and standing in its masters
presence, fine-looking man with blue
eyes and wavy brown hair. He gazed
at her in surprise.
1 have been looking for you every
where" he said, calmly. II have adj
vertised for you for weeks, but all in
vain. Had we not now met Annie, |
should have given up in despair. |
am glad to tell you that my uncle did
not disinherit you. He made will
leaving all to you, and | have found it,
where he had securely hidden it. The
fortune is yours, Annie; this is your
house; even the money in that purse is
your own property. Heavens! have
killed her!'
For, pale and death-like, Annie had
sunk down at his feet. 1t was only ex-
element and weakness, however. and
she soon recovered, for joy seldom kills.
Restored to consciousness, she sat down
to talk the matter over.
II will accept the fortune, gladly"
she said, softly, after a thoughtful si-
share it with me. | would not enjoy
it ut your expense"
Yet he had not scruplcd to possess
the fortune, though he knew that she,
weak woman, needed it. Her noble
conduct shamed him, and from that
hour he was changed man.
He left the city shortly after and
they did not meet again for months.
In the meantime Eddie was removed
to his new home and it was not long
before he was well and strong once
more.
People say that Annie Roberts is GO
ing to change her name to Lancaster
when Stephen returns to the city, and
the future looks very bright to both.
And all this comes from the simple
finding of a pocket-book. y. Week.