Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-05-01

tune; he had q good situation and for
time everything went on smoothly.
But alas! he sickened and died; and
poor Annie, with Der child was left to
face the cold world alone She took
courage for Eddie's sake and fought
her battle bravely. But, after ALL tie
world looked pretty dark TO her that
chill November day as she hurried
down the loug wiL.iswept street to-
ward the publishers Office. Such an
accumulation OF debts, and Eddie sick.
aud-she could not shut her eyes 10 the
fact - her own health was falling.
What would become OF her child IL she
were taken aWayg
Arrived al the Office she was shown
at once into the presence OF Mr.. Law
renee, whose business it was To read
the manuscript and Judge their merits.
She was accustomed TO his brisk, good
natured ways, and he had frequently
read her articles while she waited pa
tiently for bis verdict, trembling with
apprehension lest he refused tine hard
work Of her brain and pen. She laid
the roll OF closely written paper in his
hand now, with a wistiul glance into
his face.
IF you will-ifyou can read itnow, =
she laltrrcd. i will wait
Sorry to disappoint You, Mrs Rob-
erts returned the gentleman, bland
Is, But the fact is, we are oyerstocked
at present, and
You do not wish itl' she gasped,
sinking upon a chair which stood near.
"Oh, what shall ] do?'
Mr. Lawrence gazed into her face
with critical eyes.
DO not distress yourself" he said,
kindly.
81 win see what can be done for you
tomorrow. In the meantime, Mrs.
Roberts, | viii glance over your story
myself and report as soon as posi-
blcln
Very WE'LL
She arose pale and trembling; for
the short, dark day was drawing to a
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 rot beg;
so, with a faltering 'good-eyening' she
left the Office
Out on the crowded street, not a
block away. her foot struck some
small object lying upon the pavement
and, STOPPING, she picked it up.
Heavens, a well-dlled pocket-bOok!
She stepped inside q 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 nourishmeut. The
mothers heart leaped at the thought
Of how the pale face would light up
with pleasure; and then all at once she
remembered, with a 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 letter.
Stephen Lancaster.
She heW 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 master's
presence, a tine-lookiug man with blue
eyes and wavy brown hair, He gazed
Mt her in surprise
i have been looking for Won every
where he said, calmly. II have adj
yertised 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 dislnhcrt YOU. He made a VIII
leaving all TO YOU. and | have found it,
where he had securely hidden it, The
fortune is youb Annie; this is your
house; even the money in that purse is
your own property. Heavens! l have
killed her!"
For, pale and death-like, Annie had
sunk down at his feet 1t was only eX-
cjtemeut and weakness. however, and
she soon recovered, for joy seldom kills.
Restored 10 consciousness, she sat down
90 talk the matter over.
~ viii accept the fortune gladly, >
she said softly, after thoughtful SIC
lcuce, "ouly ON condition that YOU
share it with me. | would not enjoy
10 at your expense
Yet me had not Scruplcd TO possess
tine fortune though he Euew that she
a weak woman needed it, Her noble
conduct slammed him and from that
hour ae WAS o chuh rcd man.
He lett Che city shortly after and
they did not meet ap.uu for months.
lu ,bc meantime Eddie was removed
% bis new home and Id was mot long
before be was well and strong once