Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-10-11
THE LOST BANK NOTE.
By Mrs. Henry Wood. !
CHAPT. !, CONTINUED.
THE SHOCK.

there where he had been placed, a
peaceful smile on his countenance
1t was impossible at moments to be
lieve il. Only that morning he had
left the house III good health and
spirits, and now his lifeless body
lay there, and his spirit was before
It's maker.
"In the midst of life we are in
death" The full import of the
warning can only be realized in such
an affection as this Oh, my reader,
il is an awful thing when ii falls,
"From lightning and tempest; from
plague, pestilence and famine; from
battle and murder, and from sudden
death, good Lord deliver us"
Ay, thousands upon thousands in
the churches of England offer up that
prayer, those words, Sunday after
Sunday; but how many of them offer
it from the depth of their hearts:
TO how many does it occur that the
sudden death they pray against may
overtake themselves or those dearest
TO them: | fear that numbers speak
it with the lips only.
What an ending it was to the
eagerly contemplated party of pleas
ure: Other projected parties have
as solemnly terminated. The coro-
ners inquest was held to determine
what ii was Mr.. West died of. 1t
was never fully decided; some of the
medical men said apoplexy; others,
disease of the heart. His brother,
Joseph West, arrived to attend the
funeral. He lived in distant coun-
ty, forty miles away, and was large,
substantial farmer, well-to-do in the
world. When the funeral was over
he began to turn his attention and
his questions to worldly affairs.
maria, had your father saved
nothing
Nothing" she replied. GLOW
could he? His salary was limited,
and there have been heavy expenses.
Our education was liberal, and my
mothers last illness was long and it
cost much"
"What are you to do? You and
your brothers cannot live upon all"
"No." she sighed.
"Of course you, Maria, can come
home with me. Briarly must be
your home for the future. and they
must DO the best they eau
Maria face turned scarlet as she
interrupted him. II could not leave
my brothers; | could not leave the
town"
"My dear, you must be reasonable.
You possess your full share of sense
and you should exercise it. Tell me
how you propose living if you re-
main i'll town. Where will your in
come come from"
Maria did not know. Faint sha-
dows had dawned into her mind of
doing something" but that some.
thing had not resolved itself into
anything definite. Her uncle's ques-
ton caused her to examine the facts
more closely. She had received a
good education, but not altogether
AMI accomplished one. Of music
and drawing she knew nothing;
therefore she might not suit for a
governess. What, indeed, was she
TO do: and how would George and
Oswald live?
Even while they were discussing,
note was brought in from the bank
ng frm-a considerate note-indi
Eating that they would raise Georges
salary from $40 to $50. and would
axe Oswald on, aud give him go
o begin with.
(Which will be $50 between them,
md they may live upon that OBJ
eryed Mr. West, unceremoniously
ettling the matter. "They must
BOARD in family; for about go a
'ear they may find an humble family
Who will take them both, and make
hem comfortable. George won't
,rumble 10 assist his brother"
"What. Leave our home?" in
errupted George.
"Boys,' said the farmer, leaning
onward, "you must, as | told your
lister, bring down a little common
ense to bear upon the emergency.
low are you to keep up a home on
so a year. and how are YOU" he
dded, in a lower tone, "to pay the
ebts: There are debts besides
he mourning and the expenses of
ne funeral; and there's no ready
loney."
"True," murmured Maria. 1--WE
OF backward during my mothers
lness. Our only chance of paying
by selling the furniture"
at seems to me-" assented Mr..
Vest. "The boys will rub along,
nd you, Maria, must come home TO
s."
GtT L.. 60 1