Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-06-03

fathers initials in large brass-headed
nails, she examined its contents. It
was an old book, and Alice we'll re-
membered when John had first
brought it home, after depositing
5000 in the bank at B. There
was much to his credit; very little
had been drawn out, and her exami-
nation showed her there was $40, 500
at his order.
Taking Il blank check from the
chest, Alice filed it for $1,000. paya-
BILE to herself, dated it land signed her
husbands name, as nearly like his
own signature rs possible.
Each autumn John went to Chi
cago with his own and his neighbors'
produce, remaining from two to four
weeks. Thither he had gone to-day,
and would remain at least a month;
so Alice had IL clear field for her oper-
ations. She examined her purse, but
found less than a dollar there: but
she supplemented it by selling some
eggs at the village and obtained
money enough to go to b.
She had not been there for years,
and at first felt timid ut being alone
in Il large city: but each moment gave
her condolences, and when she pre-
scnted the check at the bank, She was
cool and dignitied as a veteran.
John had an uncle in the city and
him she applied to for identification.
knowing nothing of the clrcum-
stances, he of course readily identified
her, but was thoroughly %astonished
when once out of the bank, to learn
the real state of affairs. He was,
however, IL just man, and not only did
not disapprovc of her course, but
gave her very valuable assistance in
her project, and no doubt saved her
much loss.
Nearly five weeks elapsed before
John Weston returncd: but to his
astonished eyes Aladin's palace seemed
to rise before him.
A neat, two-story frame building,
upon which the paint was scarce dry,
stood where the log house had been.
The yard always level, was now
cleared from rubbish, and enclosed by
a neat fence.
Hastily striding up the gravel walk,
he entered the sitting-room, where
his wife,, daughter and uncle awaited
him. In the kitchen beyond, a young
girl fitted about, getting supper. To
the left, the open folding doors showed
a prettily furnished parlor, in which
a handsome organ was conspicuous.
The sitting-room was less cxpens-
lively furnished, but a sewing ma
chine and several easy chairs gave an
air of home comfort, as delightful as
it was novel.
just what John Weston would
have said had his wife been alone it is
impossible to say. But being in
somewhat wholesome awe of his UNI
Gle, who was IL bachelor and wealthy,
he only asked:
"What in the devil does all this
tomfoolery mean, ALICE"
sSimply that L have reinvested my
half of the bank stock, she answered
quietly.
"You don't mean to say that you
have dared touch that money in the
bank" he roared. ssIt's mine, every
cent of it. i will not have it touched.
You could not get it without me, and
if any one" darting an angry look at
his uncle. .sllas been fool enough to
lend you money on the strength of it,
lll see them hanged before 1 pay it"
"For ten minutes he ragged like a
wild animal; then Alice spoke quiet
ly, yet in a tone that calmcd even dis
anger.
"Stop, John, now you must listen
TN mn Snvnnfnnn NV xryI,o g,
we were married, you had less than
one hundred dollars. My father
bought this place, stocked it and fur
nished money for Improvements.
"When he died 1 allowed you to do
exactly as you pleased with every
thing. You have bought and sold to
suit yourself. Your stock have been
we'll sheltered while your family have
lived in hovel. Anything to aid
you in outdoor labor has been freely
purchased, and at the same time the
simple nccessaries of life have been
denied us.
"But this is a thing of the past.
Henchforth matters will rest OH a
more equitable basis. and we will live
in accordance with our means.
"Therc was $40, 500 in the bank at
B. 1 drew $500 of it. You
have ver five hundred from this
years sale of produce, and the re-
m%afnining $4,000 1 lay no claim to.
Thus we start even. lwork quite as
hard as yourself, yet I ask no division
of given receipts. You can go ON
just as you have and no one will
question your management; but one
half of all net proceeds must here
after be deposited at my order.
"You don't mean to say that you
have squandcred SIS, 900 since 1 have
been gomez" he exclaimed angrily.
81 have squandcrcd nothing. I
have properly expended some twenty
five hundred. This house cost So, 900.
the furniture about five hundred
more. The other three thousand 1
have intact"
"And you got the money and spent
it?"