The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-12-08

bosom and stuffed II between two loose
bricks AT the back of the CRATE The
pink fringes of the paper concealed IL
All was safe. He creazed across the
passage into the kitchen with con-
sciousness of great meanness IN h-s
heart. Mrs. Nranlliu, having executed
her terrible intention, had taken flight
to her bedroom, where she sat IL the
cold with a little shawl over her
shoulders, trembling. He said some
thing aloud about seeing Jones abont
those pigs, and fed the house, and the
two held no more conversation until
breakfast time. Then MIR. Nranlzlin,
with unusual piety, went to church,
while his wife stayed at home to cook
dinner, no one else being at hand To DO
it.
lust as the beef was so far done that
she could open the oven doors there
came knock upon the door. and o. 20
ing il she saw upon the porch her Co..
in Brown and the minister. Church
was ont, and Cousin Brown had brought
the reverend gentleman TO his friends
to dine. Mrs. Nranklin received both
Hospitality, and fastened To usher them
into the parlor. The yellow artemia-
las shone bravely in the big blu" vases.
Mr.. Vranllin had been wise not TO hide
his money there; but ii was cold-vcry
cold.
''I'n light a fire." said the good worn-
an. 1T won't take a minute. It's the
first fire Of the season, or I'd have the
CRATE fixed
She tucked the paper down into the
CRATE, the easiest way TO be rid OF 1t,
piled on wood and placed the scutt.e
ready. As she struck the match she
gave n little cry, but repressed it III
stantly. The flames blazel up merriiy
and roared behind the blower.
When Mr. Vranlllin returned the
blower was down and the two men
were warming their feet at a compact
mass Of red coaL
lie looked at MS Eva Maria Her cold,
composed New England face, with its
high nose and close-cut mouth. betrayed
no emotion.
she don't know what she has done"
he said TO himself; but he did
The ghost of that hundred dollars
stared at him from the embers. lie
could not talk. he could not compose
himself. Cousin Brown oDined he was
not we'll The minister remarked that
in the midst OF life we are in death.
and seemed to prophesy his funeral It
was not gay dinner, but then IL was
Sunday.
That night Mrs. Vranlllin missed her
spouse from his bed. She went to iool-
for him, and found him pol1ing in the
ashes of the dead fire with the tongs-
He looked up with very red face
Il don't think these here Goals kin be
good, he said, confusedlv.
Did You get up in the night TO look
at them?'- she asked.
lie made no answer and returned To
bed
Next morning his wife again attacked
him.
Have You thought that matter ovcr?"
she asked.
Indeed he had. and il had occurred TO
him that Providence had prepared a
special judgment for him IN destroy
ing that money. He felt that his wife
had spoken the truth She had a right
To decent clothes-she who had served
him SO well for so many years
I've thought it over, Eva Maria, he
said, and arose and went TO his desk.
queer, old-fashioned one built in the
house wall When hc returned, he
brought with him blank check
Get what you like. my dear" he
said. and get it nice. Fill the check
mp just as you please"
He had not called her my dear for
years She smiled up at him very gen
tly; tears were near his eyes.
However. she used the check TO dress
herself comfortably. 1t was the first
time for many years that she had in
dulged in the luxury of shopping freely.
At night he met her AT the depot,
loaded with parcels. tired but smiling.
He had not seen her so bright for many
day.
After tea that night they sat together
beside the stove as before, and she
looked at him in peculiar way.
You didn't seem to feel cheerful
Sunday afternoon, jeremiah she re-
marked. What allied you?~
Il don't want to tell you," he an
swered.
But I'll tell you" she said. '.You
thought / burned the pocl1e tbooll You
hid in the CRATE. / didn't"
She put her hand into her work-bas-
ket and drew it out intact, with the
money in it
Il was just in time" she said. But
| understood at once when ! saw il
sticking between the bricks. Ii you
hadn't given me the check, / should
have spent the money There's con-
fession for you, jeremiah
He looked At her, half angry, half as
tonished- She arose and came To him.
| and put her hands on his shoulders.
But / should never have enjoved
wearing them" she said. Il should
have hated them, think. These that
! ] bought to-day, with your free gift.
shall love while there's a rag of them
left"
The man looked At her with feeling
that a strange revelation of feminine
human nature had been made to him,
but all he said was:
why, Eva Maria, want To know
and he drew her down upon his knee
and kissed her.--N. Y. Ledger.