The morning call., 1891-05-29
MY BROTHERS WIDOW,
[CoNcLUDED.I

teTP" / gasped, as soon as l could catch my
breath.
"Oh, John, how can 1 say ftp But. oh,
who had ever a chance TO SO into the store
safe besides you and me?"
Nobody but Mary Owen. of course"
said l.
"Are You sure, John ?' asked she.
"Of course I am sure. You know it as
well as l d." said l.
"Ah, we'll, no doubt, then, you can ex-
plain what has happened Perhaps you
have had occasion to use that money of
mine. ! mean that One-hundred-dolla bill
that put in my red pocket-boOk and laid in
the safe yesterday"
"No, Maria; you know I would have
asked you about il, for that was your own
private money, and none Of mine"
well, John. is gone. Did you see me
look into the safe?" said she.
Yes" said l.
"Well, l missed It then, but I could not
bear to speak of it. You know how many
temptations come to poor girl, and espe-
cially one who is getting ready to be mar
Tied. John, we must not have her ar
rested"
"Why, what upon earth do you mean,
Maria? / know Mary Owen never took
that money. bout be IN such haste to ac-
euse her"
- I do not accuse her, but the facts speak
for themselves. l will not arrest her, but
she must leave the store, and she must re-
store the money"
How can you be so suspiciousP Why
don't you suspect me2 ] am sure l am
much wickeder that Mary Owen" said l.
But il was no use-Marla was determined
20 go at once to tie store TO charge poor
Mary with the theft and shame her before
her lover All the while she cried and
SObbed and | really felt that she was in
great distress l went with her to the store,
and she searched very quietly in every place
here IL was possible that the money could
have been dropped uunOticed. Maria had
written down the number Of the note. and
said that she had also marked 1t with two
red crosses that she might always identity
il. ] made her promise not to speak with
Oat my consent. but my heart began to grow
sad, for circumstances looked black against
poor Mary.
&" If that girl is guilty l shall never trust a
mortal On EARTH said l. Il feel Jest as you
dc, brother john" said Maria, ''and, then,
how pity poor David"
l went home to tea with my brothers
widow, but We did not feel like eating. She
promised not 10 come down TO the store until
l sent for her next day, and seemed very
merclIul and tender toward the unhappy
girl.
l had never liked Maria as we'll as 1 did
that evening. l couldn't help wanting TO
kiss her, SO | arose to say " goodnight Z"
and came around the tea-table to take her
hand. when my coat caught in a little will
lOw-WOTk basket that stood by. all full Of
sewing and, Of course, it tumbled over.
Out roll ed SpOOls and thimble and buttons
and scissors, and as l stopped to gather
them up saw a small dOOT-key, tied with a
narrow black ribbon, and with a deep notch
cut into the handle.
felt my heart stop beating, but had pres
ence OF mlnd enough to catch up the key IN
seen and pnt IL in my pocket.
les, 1t was Mary's dOor-key. How did it
happen TO be IL Maria's basket? l dared
not linger any longer with my brothers
widow. but Went home and walked the floor
all night.
In the morning early went to the store
ana told them l should be absent all day
In a snort time / was at the house where
Mary rented rooms and by the aid Of the
little key was soon inside her door, leaving
It closed, but not locked. 1t was a small
and humble apartment, but neat and clean,
with many a dainty touch that proclaimed
good taste and management. l felt like a
thief as | walked about the room trying TO
find hld!ng-p!ace. In one corner was a
closet where a few garments hung upon
hooks. Into the place / went and sat down
upon an old trunk aud waited.
As l sat there felt more than once like a
mean. suspicious villain. / asked myself,
,
brothers widow" But all the same / kept
on waiting and whispering May the Lord
forgive me if l am wrong"
/ heard the town clock strike the hours
TO- Il aud 12-and soon afJerward l heard
a noise at the door Quickly closing the
closet l left only just enough room to watch
what hap. ened.
There was another tap, a pause, and then
the door opened slowly and Maria entered
Quickly sue looked about the room, then
"a. .aN--
the floor. As quickly she lifted up the mat
tress Of the small, white bed. and, taking a
red pUcket-bOOk from out package, thrust
il under and pulled the covers neatly about
the bed again.
God forgive you. womanl Why have
you done this p l cried, bursting out of my
hidIng-pace. She turneI and faced me-,
looking white with rage and despair at be-
lns detected. Still she could not hold her
venomous tongue.
Well, l didn't know Miss Mary Owens
entertained gentlemen in her bedroom"
she said, with a regular vlxenish look.
Maria, hush. You know you are talking
nonsense. l have been here a long time
waiting for you. knew you would come.
for l saw Aarv's key iG your basket last
night. Now, bring me that pocket book. "
She obeyed me. Pale as death, l saw she
was overwhelmed. and pitied her.
Alter all, she was my brothers widow,
and he asked me to be kind to her.
Now, Maria, will never speak Of this
thing TO human being if you will promise
me two things"
"Well, tell me what they are, fer can't
help myself" said she in sullen tone.
GU must let me manage the business to
suit myself, and you must give that hundred
dollar bill to Mary Owen for a wedding
present"
Il wont do It." she exclaimed. but one
look at me made her change her mind.
About month after that we all attended
quiet wedding in Mary's lodgings, and
Maria was there, an honOred guest The
bride and bridegroom were overcome with
gratitude at the kindness of their friends,
but no one brought such substantial ali as
did my sister in law. Dear little Mary
looked At her with eyes that beamed with
loving admiration, and as Maria saw the
happiness Of the young couple she turned
70 NE and whispered: Brother John. |
thank You for saving me from myself. God
has forgiven me for yielding to temptation
VIII you not do the same"
After all she is q noble woman. and il is
no wonder that Bob loved her dearly.
/ pressed her hand with look that told
her there was peace between US, and before
we parted l heard the little bride say, ii an
aside to her husband, Il like good old Mr.
John right we'll, but he is not as generous
and NaTm-heaTted as his brothers. widow y
And she told the truth, for the soul that
knows the joy Of sins forgiven is made
strong thereby, and loving enough to SYM
palhlZe with al the world.
ELIZABETH MATHEWS.
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