The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-02-24


the singing teacher. She seized unde-
tected the thick black coin which her
fingers first touched. and carried it at
her side with sense Of triumph.
At the door she had an instant's OPP
portunity TO speak 10 Jennie.
II did it, did it, Kathy whispered,
showing the coin. "Here-take it."
But Jennie shook her head. 81 don't
want it," she said, laughing.
81 am sure don't. What shall do
with it2"
"oh, anything; put it back at recess"
Kathy consigned the coin to her
pocket and went to her recitation
"Come with me to the chapel" she
said to Jennie. when the noon bell had
struck and they were free. Il am SO
afraid / shall forget this. want to
put it where | found it,"
The two friends walked away togeth-
err, talking confdentially and laughing
much. But Kathy's laughter soon
ended.
Miss Hance had finished her work,
the collection was back in its place,
and the cabinet doors were locked fast
"What shall | do?" asked Kathy,
looking at her unwelcome possession
and turning pale. 81 can't give it back
TO Miss lance; there wouldn't be any
thing to say"
"Of course there wouldn't; don't
think of it. Wait until the things are
out again and put it with them then. 1t
won't be 50 very long, perhaps"
"0h, can't, can't! 1t may be
months and l couldn't keep it all that
time. Why, it isn't mine! It's steal
ing" she said, nearly in tears
why no, it isn't stealingp' cried Jen-
mic. you didn't take it to keep. Wait
until tomorrow morning and | will
think of way to get it baclf I'll find
the key, maybe, and after breakfast
I'll tell you what to do"
In spite of this assurance Kathy was
uncontrolled. She went about all day
long with the coin, a lump Of remorse,
at the bottom of her pocket Still Jen-
MES cheering promise helped her to
bear up She had unbounded faith in
her friends ability. Her own idea
would have been to return the coin and
confess. But Jennie thought this a
stupid course of action, to be employed
only by girl with 10 brilliant gift at
getting out of a corner.
Next morning that promise which
had been Kathy's hope was not full
filed. AS the girls left the breakfast
room Jennie slipped small paper into
her hand.
Il can't do it," the paper said. 81
think Miss Il carries the key with
hnp + I LOT
under the cabinet and then they will
find it. Nellie Wiles told me an ele-
giant riddle: What is the difference
between Shake spearc and Queen Eliza
beth?' One is Wonder and the other
a Tudor. It's the C ounting-one, two.
Good-by."
Kathy saw little OF Jennie that day.
Through apparent matte ntion in one of
their classes the girls were forbidden
to speak to each other. Thus Kathy
was thrown upon her own resources.
81 can't let it roll away" she
thought, walking forlornly up and
down the halt "They might never
find it; it might be swept up or some
thing, and then it would be stealing for
me. | ought to go straight to DR..
Egerton and tell him about it. That
would be the very hardest, and that is
what deserve to do"
AS she turned again she paused
DR.. Egerton himself was approach
ing her. Kathy cast herself upon her
impulse.
"Dr. Egerton, may l speak to you
for a minute?" she asked, with a
humping heart which almost smoth-
cred her words. She sought the coin
in her pocket In another minute she
would have told him the whole
Are you not out of orCer in being
here at this hour, Miss Ward?" he
asked, severely.
Eyes, sir" was all that she could
say.
"Then select different time to ask
a favor of me. Go now to your class
room"
Kathy hurried away in modification
too deep even for tears. She entered
the classroom with tagging steps, and
received an unheeded reprimand for
her hardness. As she seated herself
she caught sight OF Jennie RandalPs
face, as pretty and rosy as ever, smil-
ing pointedly in her direction. The
ghost of nod accompanied the smile;
perhaps something encouraging had
happened
1t was even so. At the first oppor-
tunity Jennie handed Kathy a second
note:
81 have thought of a way, after all.
Take the coin to Miss Hance and pre-
sent it to the school. She need never
know where you got it, and she can
put it in the cabinet herself"
All the weight which had rested on
Kathy's heart through the morning
seemed to roll away as she read.
Without an instant's hesitation she
asked and obtained permission to speak
to Miss Hance. In a short time the
hated coin lay upon that lady's desk
under her near-sighted eyes.
why, thank you, Kathy" she said,
/ L. Il. !