Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-20
TOOTS.


hack garden of the ranch house in the
san Fernando valley. stopped 10 listen.
~Gwiue for 20 carry me h-o-ome'
continued Diuah. in a deep. rumbling
tone. suggestive of an asthmatic bass
and accompanied by an energetic rat
Ting OF dishes.
Asthe necress paused for breath Mrs.
Stocker heard q heavy pounding at the
front door. and. sun smiling az Dinah' $
duet-lke efforts, hurried round the
house
On the porch she found a testy ana
eccentric old man. who gazed with
marked disDleasure at her lovely race
and. unappeased by her friendly smile,
reared out. What in thunder's going
Oh in this house, prayer meeting OF d
cat fight? I've been hammering on
this door for ten minutes. seems 10 me
Ppm sorry If we've kept you walt
inc" she answered, gently
The various hard knots into which
his face seemed to De tied relaxed but
be vouchsafed only a skeptical grunt IN
reply.
"Ire come TO see your husband said
he. abruptly; SIS he TO home?
NO. he is not.
"Whenu he be back?'
"NC- until tomorrow.
cd s'p0se YOU don't know how TO
write a receipt he Querried with his
chin cooked scornfully In the air.
" think could. said she, smiling.
well I've been owing your husband
some money for three years. and could
not paw the interest. cause people don't
pay me: but I've had a stroke O. luck.
and here's the money. Gimme a receipt
and Wen DE quits. be said, as he lifted
q heavy bag lying beside him.
oh. dear me- she exclaimed. could
YOU not give me a check for it? I'm
afraid TO have so much money in the
house.
He looked upon this feminine timid-
ity with the contempt of a bitter old
bachelor. and promptly snapped: No.
can't. it's an the money I've got. Peo-
pie seen me 1uggin it from the bank,
and If YOU don't take it likely some one
else will I'm skeered myself with a
sardonic grin.
She reflected that this crusty person
might never make another effort 10 pay.
and that no one need know she had
the money. So she asked him into the
house. where she counted the coins and
and gave q receipt.
When he was gone she hid the gold
among some scrap bags in dark cor
ner of her bed room closet
AS the day wore on she got anxious
and nervous. There occurred to her
the fear that some passer-by, who had
seen the old man bring the bag from
the bank. lad noticed the horse stand
ing at the gate. and would suspect that
she had the money
IL seemed 70 her that the very birds
had too knowing an air, as they tip
tilted on a branch outside her bed room
window and cooked their heads on one
side to look in.
II anyone broke into her lonely house,
which was a half mile from her nearest
neighb0rs. the G0rd0ns. she and her fee
bic old Dinah would have no defense.
To was with q feeling of relief that
she saw John Gordon how hr-N""''-
best friend, walking toward the house.
He was q dark slender man, with a
nervous manner and a rather jOylesS
smile.
How are You. Airs. Stocker? Rather
lonesome. eh2' NE called out eve
saw your husband driving by this morn
ing. with his regimentals on. and knew
that meant he'd be gone some time.
Wife ism e very well. and wants 20 know
if Won wouldn't go over and stay with
her while IN away.
Thank YOU. wish I could. But
Mr.. Stocker can't possibly be back until
tomorrow. and Randall has paid me
large sum i'm gold that I dare not leave.
"Has he. az last I saw his horse
standing here. but [ had no idea you'd
ever see that money again And after
q moments thought he added: But
why not leave it? Does anyone know
you have ito
mo one but the man who paid it to
me that I know of-but he looks like
brigand.
Nonsense. my dear woman, You're
letting your fears run away with YOU
Brigands don't usually pay debts, and
there's nothing 90 De afraid of. Just
leave the money here and go over to
our house 20 spend The night Darkies
are a scary lot. and YOU haven't even
sensible dog to keep You company"
She lOuged 20 yield. but she thought
Of an that this money would mean to
her overworked husband and. harden
ing her heart against Mr. GOrd0n's re-
peated uIgings, persisted in staying at
her post.
Saying that he was late for an en-
gagemeut, her neighb0r babe her q
hasty farewell
AS the early darkness of the Deem
Der night began 20 close in, nature her
SELF seemed TO- Mrs. StOcker in her over
wrought condition. 90 be c0nspiring
with the evil beings 20 heighteu her
helpless terror
At last DiDab ponder0usiy waddled
I'm and broke the gloom by cheerfully
announcing tbe evening meal, While
this was ITO progress @ wagon drove up.
and Mrs .S,ocker heard the welcome
voice of Ranuey. sturdy jolly Irish
ped1ler. with whom she had dealings
for several years. His was one of those
round and jolial personalities that look
like embodied jokes, and the very sight
of whom makes everyone feel cheerful
Now. rlOts he was s8ying don &
We De tor aung me mp Che minute I sit
down. It's SO Ions since Eve had a
bite that I'd be mighty poor picking.
BE aisy. onw. and che iadyl give
bone maybe. with some marrow i'm it.
I'm hollow clare through
1Irs. Stoeker opened The door in time
to- hear fhesC last words. and called out.
eve shall be glad 90 am yOu mp. Mr.
Banney. and TOOts, too. Come i'm. both
of rCu