Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-10-25
THE LOST BANK NOTE.
IBy Mrs. Henry Weed, !
CHAP III..-CoNrINUED
TIE STARTLING NEWS.

earnest in his calling, and very much
esteemed. lie was the curate of
Briarly; bat all the duties deyolved
on him, for the vicar was in i'll health
and unable 10 move about. He saw
Maria standing there, and came up
TO shake hands.
"Two Sundays and you have not
been to church" he began. (Which
] know" be added with a smile, has
not been your fault. How is the in
valid"
Her chest is getting well said
Maria, "but otherwise she lies Just
as she weaker if anything"
at is a great afllicuon for her."
observed Mr. Lister; "and she feels
ii more than many would, she was
of SO active a turn"
An impulse prompted Maria to
speak-to enter upon the subject she
had very much at heart. She felt
timid at broaching it, but she gently
liked and respected Mr.. Lister. Only
aunt Hester disturbs herself to eX-
citement about household affairs,
thinking they cannot possibly be
well attended to in her absence; but,
Mr.. Lister" lowering her voice, "can
nothing he done to turn her anxiety
into a different channel?"
Mr.. Lister leaned his elbow on
the stile, and his face grew serious.
"You mean the channel that may
lead her TO heaven"
"Yes," replied Maria. "She thinks
she shall recover; she will not hear
90 the contrary. If she should die
if she should die in this frame of
mind-oh, Mr.. Lister, you and see
the danger; if no others do. Can
nothing be done::"
Maria spoke with eagerness. The
subject was indeed a momentouN
one, and Mr.. Lister saw it in It's
true light. He said he would 90 in
later that evening and visit the inva-
lid. She was asleep then, and he
walked away, thinking how very
much he liked Maria West and that
few of the younger circle Of his ac-
quaintances were so estlmable.
Maria was turning from the stile
when someone came round the cor
ner into view-a young man dressed
in mourning; but his clothes looked
dusty and he walked with weary
tread. Maria's heart, as the saying
runs, leaped into her mouth, so great
was the likeness to her brother
George. 1t was George. He cross
ed the stile; but Maria could hardly
greet him for amazement.
81 do not care to go to the house,
Maria" he whispered. Il have come
over today to see you, and only you
Is there no sheltered place where we
can sit a minute, for | am dreadfully
tired?"
She took him up a shady walk
where there was bench, and they
sat down. "But, George, why will
you not come in. And how is it
that you are so tired? You cannot
have walkedw she reiterated.
eyes, have. ! have walked all
the way from Middleham-two and
forty miles. | started last evening,
slept at an inn by the roadside, and
walked the rest to-day. | could not
afford the money to ride. Maria, |
have been doing wrong, and the con
sequences are falling upon me-"
His eyes, while he spoke, were
fixed on the ground shrinking, as it
seemed, in shame from hers, A feel
ing of heartsickness stole over Maria;
but she felt that she must succor him
though all others abandoned. She
implored him to tell her all.
He did tell her abruptly. 81 have
been gambling"
The shock of the words was great;
though what Maria did expect to
hear she could not have told. She
had no definite ideas of what the
worst might be. ooh, George she
Involuntary uttered.
"There has come mania over the
town, Maria, for specializing and
making bets. Three parts of the
young men have gone deeply into it.
They meet in various houses
"Public-houses?" she interrupted,
In a low tone.
CAT public.houses and at their
own homes. Perhaps it is no new
habit among them, | don't know;
but it was new to me, and was en-
ticed to join them in an evening,
and fell into it,"
"You mean you have lost money!"
she family said.
ayes; and had none to lose. If
I cannot pay, it will be known in the
town that am what is called a de-
faulter, and then shall lose my sit.
nation. You do not appear to un-
derstand," he added; for Maria was