The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-25

had boon the light of the sun and the
freshness of the air! The modest homo
with which she had been discontented,
the routine of work which had wearied
her-how their details seemed to stand
out in vivid brightness! How delight
full would be the lum of the busy store,
how kindly the most unsympathizlng
face in it would seem to smile upon
her,
And her mother! With cry of an
guish, Margaret sprang up, and tried
in vain to call out. She scarcely
heard the sounds without, though
she had dim sense that Janet was call
ing her. However, with the thought of
home came q determination not to give
up while there might be hope. She re-
membered having heard that bad air
sinks to the floor, and again forced her
self upon her feet.
Bat her limbs tottered, and with trem-
bling hands she felt for small step-lad-
der which she knew was in the vault.
She brought it close to the door, and 80
leaned upon it that if her senses failed it
would keep her from falling.
In doing this, she noticed that she still
held in her hand the bill which she had
found. She crumpled the bit of paper
in fierce anger. Had she, indeed, given
her life for it7
Then fearful thought came; when
those without should at last reach her,
might there not be some who would be-
lieve she had concealed the money with
the intention of keeping it2
The dreadful suggestion spurred her
to one last effort. If she could tell them
how she had found it, no one could
think that she had stolen it
But an iron hand seemed closing upon
her throat as she again strove to speak.
Her voice sounded to herself hollow and
indistinct, as with her last conscious
breath, she tried to send it through the
iron door.
Two minutes later Mr.. Barrow, who
was supposed to be at his summer cot
tage among the mountains, entered the
store, and looked in surprise upon the
soene of confusion.
"The combination. Open the vault,
quick"
Mr.. Ives had gone to find experts to
force open the vault, but through the
clamor of Joy and fear the girls soon
contrired to let Mr.. Barrow know what
was wanted.
He knew the combination, and ut a
few turns of his hand the heavy door
swung open, and Margaret fell forward
into the arms waiting to receive her.
In less than half an hour she opened
her eyes to gaze into the kindly ones
which smiled and cried over her.
II received a telegram calling me
back on important business" Mr. Bar
row explained. ~ did not guess how
important it might prove to be-"
''It must have been sent straight from
Providence, whispered Janet.
Margaret was taken home in car
riage by Janet and Helen Winter. As
the carriage was about to drive away,
Janet held out to Mr. Ives the hundred
dollar bill, which she had taken from
Margarct's hand.
"No," he said; "let her return it to
its owner"
Mrs. Rayne came to see her, and
cried and laughed as Margaret told how
the bill was found.
"You poor dear child! To think
what a result my carelessness might have
had! 1t caught on some of your laces,
and then dropped into the vault. Now
I shall positively never take it back. I'm
sure you earned it, going into that
dreadful place fol- it"
Margaret's face whitened at the thought
of accepting the money. SsS
81 shall feel that you have not for
given Inc if you refuse to keep it," said
Mrs. Rayne. "Put it in the bank for a
nest-egg. I think you will have more to
add to it, for I have told Mr.. Barrow
that, of all the saleswomen I have ever
met, you are the most patient, atten-
tive and ladylike. I fancy he knows
when he has an employe worth paying
we'll"
"I think found something more than
the money" said Margaret.-Youthi
Companion.