Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-07-30

wish to know the true state OF af1airs,
that l may shape my future by the re-
suits"
when all the debts are paid there
will be little over $4,000"
Perhaps Mrs. Perkins had been pre-
pared for a shock. She was not ex-
pecting such a shock and covered her
face with her hands for few mo-
mepts. She was strong, however, and
when she raised her eyes 1t was to
look the attorney full in the face and
say: II had hoped 1t would be more
than that, but / shall do the best. Tho
furniture will realize, or should real
lie, $4,000 more"
1.-THE furniture is covered by a chat
tel mortgage, am sorry 10 inform
you"
Again there was silence. Mrs. Per-
kins smoothed the wrinkles out of her
black dress and pulled little at the
Jet pin at her throat. II shall leave
the place by tomorrow noon. If there
is anything to be gained out Of the
property that is left after the mort
cages are paid, shall be very glad.
But you?" Mrs. Perkins turned to her
attorney, who had been warm friend
of her deceased husband, "wh0 is to
pay your bill?"
"Of course we lawyers always look
out for No. l. have not withheld an
exorbitant fee, and If you SO desire we
will go over the accounts together"
Il assure you that you are very kind,
and also that l have perfect confidence
In you, so that we will not take up the
time in looking over the accounts. If
you will return tomorrow noon shall
turn over tho keys to you, and you
may have charge of the affairs, while 1
look out for something which can do
to make living"
The attorney proffered his services if
he could be of any assistance. The
next day, however, she had gone be-
fore he reached the home of his old
friend, which had been weighted down
with mortgages until there was moth
ing left. The wife did not know how
things were going, and had no init
nation Of it until the death of her hus-
band, whep the bills began to pour in.
After the funeral she called Bascomb,
who was about her husbands age and
who had been a college chum of his.
She did not know it, but the lawyer
fought the claims from every quarter
until he had saved the widow the little
legacy, and this was without charging
any fee.
No one knew where Mrs. Perkins
had gone. A single servant was in
charge of the house and let Mr.. Bas-
comb in. The next day the auctioneer
hung out his red flag and day later
all the comfortable furnishings and
paintings and works of art were carted
away.
One day in November, when the
leaves were scurrying over the dusty
road, dark-eyed woman stepped
from north-bound train to the depot
platform in a neat little Kansas
town. Brighton had a square in the
center and around it the stores were
arranged. Mrs. Perkins walked up the
main. street until she came to the office
of lawyer who dabbled in real es-
tate along with his legal practice.
There were many houses and lots to
sell, and the purchaser could take her
choice at her own figure. That after
noon and evening were spent in look
about the town, and also part of the
next day. The next evening the deal
was closed for house toward the
edge of the town, and that night load
of furniture was moved in. A week
later a kindergarten was inaugurated
in this place and Mrs. Perkins had the
means of livelihood. A year passed
and the winter was well on again when
Mrs. Perkins received the first bit Of
mail that had come to the Office for
her. 1t was letter in yellow envel-
one. It had remained in the pOstoffice