The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-14

never laughed or seemed cheerful about
her prospects.
Go in for everything, certainly" he
remarked with sarcasm, and fail
That sentence of yours was exactly
what 1 should expect from a woman,
Sally"
But summer days end; and a very abb
rupt stop was put to this period of
mirth and holiday making.
One morning Mr. Erskine did not
make his usual appearance at the
breakfast table. Anne went up stairs to
see what was the matter. She found her
father looking weak and languid; he
said his heart troubled him, and if
Anne liked she might send for their old
friend, DR.. Barnes.
The doctor arrived in the course of
the morning; he made careful exam
ination of his patient, and then said
some words to poor little Anne which
startled her very much. She managed
to hide her feelings while in her
fathers presence, but Sally found her
afterward in a state bordering on hys-
terics, for the old doctor had given Mr..
Erskine only a few days to live.
Tom Ross appeared on the scene, as a
matter of course, and was most help
full to the girls. He sat up night after
night with the invalid and did more for
his comfort than any hired nurse could
have done.
A certain morning came when the
young fellow appeared with blanched
face, and asked for Sally.
Your father wants you," he said to
her. ''He asked for you several times
during the night, and now he will not
be denied. do not think he can live out
the day, Sally; and-and-I could not
help it, dear
Toms look was full of depreciation.
Sally wondered what was the matter.
What was it that he could not help?
She entered her fathers room in her
white summer dress, the bloom of early
summer in her cheeks and lighting up
her eyes. She could not realize that
death was already on the threshold of
the home. Everyone spoke of Mr.. Frs
kine's danger, but Sally did not recog-
nize it bit. She felt sure that he must
soon be well again She entered the
room now, hushed in her mood, but by
nc means respondent.
"Well, dear papa" she said, her voice
set little lower than its wont, but her
tene cheerful. You have sent for me,
papa; am so glad you want me- she
continued Then her eyes fell upon the
gray and dying face on the pillow, and
all further words were arrested. She
dropped on her knees at the bedside
and laid her blooming cheek against the
dying mans cold hand.
81 want you to promise me something,
Sally" he said in a harsh and broken
voice. 81 have something to tell you,
and want you on your part to make me
a promise"
"of-of course papa
h That evening Mr.. Ersline died.
the house; but, to the surprise of every
one Sally scarcely shed tear.
Old DR.. Barnes did not like her ap-
pearance He said the blow had stunned
her, and that in reality she was feeling
her bereavement much more than sis
ter and brothers.
Something had certainly occurred
which had taken all the May sunshiny
look out of her face. She made no con-
ffdences, however, and spent most of
her time moping in her own room.
II shall be quite glad when Sally goes
away to Newham," said Anne, speak
ing to Tom Ross. 81 never did know
that she was so much attached to papa.
Ali the spring seems taken out of her
| life"
Tom made no reply. His own face
looked haggard and worn. He was the
| Best of brothers to Anne, but she no
ticed that he ceased to confide in her.
His blue eyes looked full of trouble
when she spoke of Sally.
Mr.. Erskine was dead a fortnight,
and Anne seemed slighter and thinner
than ever in her deep mourning.
by the way, Tom" she continued,
looking up at him, I'VE know nothing
yet about the-the affairs.
What affairs, Anne?"
"The money. We don't know how we
are left; Mr.. Johnson, my fathers man
of business, promised to call to see US,
but he has not done so. l know that
! Sally and / inherit q thousand pounds
apiece from our mother but What
| is the matter, Tom? How white you
| lookl"
"Hurrah! hurrahi' shouted a boyish
voice us that you, Anne, croning away
as usual? oh, and Tom Ross is with
you, of course. Why, Tom, you're look
| ing pasty. George and have had such
| a race over the moorS. We met the
pcstman, and he gave us a letter. It's
| for Sally; it's her scholarship, 1 expect.
The Minerva Magazine is written
across the flap of the envelope. Lucky
Sally, say T. Wouldn't George and l
like to have a dip into that thirty
| pounds. What is it, Ross? what do you
! want?"
GIVE me that letter. said Ross.
| He took it out of the boys unwilling
hand. then. taking him by the shoulders
pushed him gently out of the room.
Now, Anne" said Ross, coming up
to the young girl and speaking eagerly
eff you like, I'll give this letter to
Sally 1 expect Charlie is right, and
that there is a check in it. If so, it
Will give me just the opportunity
want Can't you send her down to
me here? or, better still, send her into
the garden, where 1 can meet her."
How white you look, Tom! your
hand trembles."
you know, Anne, what all this
means to me. But / can't speak of it
even to you. Run, like dear, and ask
Sally to come to me.
Anne departed, and Tom went into
| the garden.
A great excitement was over him; he
was shaken out of his habitual calm.
The evening was lovely, and the last
rays of the glorious sunset were fading
from the sky, when Sally, disheveled in
appearance, red rims around her eyes,
and her bright hair pushed untidily
back from her forehead, came out into
the garden.
She. too. was in black, but her mourn
ing partook of the disordered state of
her mind. It was not trim and neat like
Anne's but was put on carelesSly. Her
black dress did not become Sally. She
needed light and soft draperies to set
off her peculiar bright beauty.
The girl who advanced timidly now to
meet Tom Ross looked something like a
delicate flower broken at the roots. She
held her garden hat on one arm; her
steps were very slow.
See what I've got for you, Sally, +"
said Ross.
He came toward her, holding up the
letter. She looked at it with listless in
| difference. He turned the envelope,
| and showed the words Minerva Maya
zine written across the flap.
| ITS the scholarship money, Sally,
| he whispered. You'll want it, you