The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-03

spread it over his wife. Then he looked
at his children and taking off the double
breasted sack which he had just put on, he
wrapped it over the feet OF his little ones to
cold he stood there, without sufficient
covering, in deep meditation. imhovable,
and, as 1t were. in Il francs.
1T is not a fortune that I want''-thus
his thoughts ran-"only work, that / may
am money to buy bread and clothing for
my wife and children. Yat, there are many
who do not work that have riches, that a,a
able to treasure up gold. Our neiRhbor, for
instance, she ia rich, alone-an old maid
with an annual rental of $4,000. II l only
had as much money as that old lady.
Something seems to tell me l could by rob-
bling. But do not want it for myself, but
for my wife and children, who have not
food to eat"
Then no stretched himself on the couch
and q terrible sense Of horror crept over
him. He looked out Of the window and
thought that the snow on the roofs of the
houses was stained with blood-red spots.
Slsepiahly he reached out his hand and on
II table near his bed .found Il large kitchen
knife that his wife left there in u moment
of forgetfulness. He hesitated an instant
and then hid it in the right hand sleeve of
his shirt.
IF sAe cry, let her cry-worse for her,''
he said between his teeth, his mind now
~ sSAN "AAA tSS iAS " olu
maid.
Tho old lady was sleeping %soundly. and
her kindly face was lit up by the Pickering
light of q little lamp that hung from the
ceiling OF her bedroom. Suddenly the lock
to her cabinet was turned, tho opening Of
the treasure box within was heard, and the
minute there dtoppad on the floor with a
METALLIC sound q package containing gold
coin. The OLD lady raised herself up in her
bed and her countenance contracted with
tenr. She cried aloud for help.
Thieves! Murder! Help!''
She could Cry no more. The thiof, the
assassin had bounced upon hor, poniard in
hand, and had forever stopped her voice.
Then he knelt on tho floor and picked up
the money, bank notes and iewelry that
had rolled. out of the old lady'a treasure
box, md rushed out of the room. 1t was
had been heard, and several policemen
wero on the steps leading to the room
wherein the foul murder had boon COM
mitted. They caught the desperate man in
his attempted flight. and, munacling his
handa, bore him away to tho prefecture.
In that moment Ernest uttered u deem,
unearthly yell. He leaped from his bod
md NJ suddenly again fell senscloss to the
foo.
When he regainod consciousness Mauricia
was sitting at tho head of his bed, wipirE
the perspirntion from his faco and bathing
ulS lGhSllthN Will ~ 5pJNlllIlk, sWttu 61llHll-
ing perfume. IL was midday, and a aoli-
taiy ray of tho pnllid wintry sun breaking
through TIE dark clouds hnd entered the
humble loom through the window. Ernest
raised himself up in bed and in amaze
ment looked at his wife, his children, the
windows, tho walls and everything in the
room.
MY poor Erno3t," said his wife curess-
ingly to him, you have no delirium now;
you nre better. IL it not ne? Look; there
Is u fro in tho stove, aud VIZ have lots or
food for all of us.''
Fire, stove. foodp'' repeated Ernest, not
believing his senses.
Eyes, yes" his happy wife exultingly |
cried out, Carried away with Joy ut tho 10
turn of her Gear husbands consciousness.
;'lhote III more yet. F.om to morrow you
will have work. !
Work he sad after her, like an echo. |
Putting his hands to his head. after draw
them across his eyes M II to wipe away
the film before them, he exclaimed:
mean, MaurieiaY"
response. Our rich neighbor-blessed
lndy!-,has taken compassion on us because
or your unhappy situation, md in
addition to having promised to give you
work suitable to you, she made mo u lres-
hnt ot $40 with which to satiafy our most
needs and for tho care of your
shattered henlth. Here ii 10; do YOU 500
it?"
She had changed the bank note in order
to buy some urgently necessary things
purly in the day, and showed her husband
n handful of dollars.
GRADUALLY" Ernaat name to himself, and as