Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-08-29


ply and Tom sprang up and obstruct-
cd her way.
"Say. you're working too hard. ana
Sister Eleanor pays you beastly small
wages. I'll be bound. Maybe it's
new gown or bonnet you're gr.ev
ing after-eh. Almira? Here. take this
and get It," And before Elmira could
speak the impulsive Tom had plunged
his hands into his pockets. brought ont
a lot Of coin and pushed 1t into ncr
hands.
How dare you?" she demanded. 90
choked up she could scarcely ar.ic.
ulate. "Have I ever given you any
reason. Mr.. Tom, to treat me with
such disrespcct?"
"Disrespect!" repeated Tom. very
red and astonished. DO you think I
meant any disrespect to you. Almira?
I swear I respect you more than any
other woman I know; I only thought
you were pinIng for some Of the pref.
~ things most girls like. and why
shouldn't I do some good with MY
useless money!
Almira saw that he was honest In
his speech and was appeased, but
when he asked anxiously. III II isn't
a gown or hat. what In heavens name
Is IT, she burst into tears, and for.
getting that she was Mrs. Munroc's
servant.girl and that Mr.. Tom was
her brother and rich man. forgetting
all save the trouble that was wearing
on her and making her pale and thin,
she poured out her woes into his sym.
pathizing ear.
She told him about the mortgage on
from year TO year when the interest
was paid. They had grown so accus-
toned to that they had never thought
Of losing the place until Mr.. Pollers. on
taking the interest so hardly earned
and increased by Almlra's savings, had
been Informed that his creditors need.
cd the money and must have 1t Oh the
farm.
The blow had fallen like a clap Of
thunder from clear sky. The thought
OF leaving the old homestead was In.
supportablc. and yet where could Pc.
ter Pollcrs expect to raise the money
to cancel the mortgage?
Almra told her story, punctuatcd by
sobs, and Tom listened attentlvely.
When she had finished. he asked, "Is
1t large sum, Almira?''
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Tom, S2,OOOw she said,
sadly.
"Hum!'' said Tom, pulling his mus.
tache and looking very hard out Of
the window. Couldn't your father get
some one to pay the man and take up
the mortgage?
Suppose-suppose--I take Il M, Al.
miraY" ventured Tom, still looking out
of the window and getting very red
again. Astonishment and rapture ap.
peared on the girls face at his words.
"Do YOU mean II, Mr.. Tom? Oh. you
are too goOdw she cried.
"Bosh" said Tom. brusquely. "Its
simply a good investment. Don't nc.
cuse me OF being good, Almira; I'm In.
cOrriglbly bad, I am. But" clearing
footsteps approaching). run on. I'll
drive out and see your father to-day
and get the mortgage" And withOu,
giving her moment to express hel
thanks, he hurried OH.
Not long after this Almira noticed
that Tom was drinking steadily. lie
took what meals he ate ut home alone
Mrs. Munroe declaring she would no,
and could not lend him her countenance
The girl. as she waited on him. felt q
great deal Of pity for this man, who
seemed so alone and was wasting
health and fortune In dissipa ton, anG
, at last one morning when he was look
, ing unusually used up and his hands
, were trembling so that he could hardly
hold his cup she again forgot the DIFF
. ference In their stations and spoke out
, Mr.. Tom." she said, I'm sorry fo
. you"
what! Sorry for me? What do 20,
mean, Almira? I'm having a jolly gOOt
time. A short life and a merry one
!, that's my motto.
Almira shook her head and looked
him steadily. do you never think how
= much good you might do instead O
! throwing yourself into little better thai
!. 4 beastT"
, "Humph! That's pretty strong Ian
!. guage, ! must say" he growled.
!. But it's true, Mr.. Tom, II you keel
n on you'll sink lower and lower-oh, IT.
!. dreadful to think Of It," Almira shud
r dered as she picked up her tray and lef
n the table.
n Hold there" said Tom, "you don
a understand II, Almira. It's got such
hold on me. How can ! shake 1t of
!, I've got no one else 10 help me II try,
q and, weakened and unnerved as b
a was, the tears started to his eyes. "rel
a me what to do"
"You can get down and pray to Go,
n to help you." said Almira, solemnly
q land you can go to the cure. They sa.
4 it's wonderful what they can do. b
& a man, Mr.. Tom, and try IT," she urged
v Tom sat irresolute for moment
O then rose and grasped her hand. g
If will try" he said, and II ! come on
k ahead 1t will all be owing to you. Blu
n 1t will be hard, Almira. know, for
d tried once, only couldn't stick 1t ou
II But I'll try again, II only to sho,
n you-" He stopped abruptly and run
a her hand and rushed out Of the room.
e II Mrs. Munroe had known that he
n brother set such value on Almira Pc
T. lers' good opinion she would have bee
- Mortified. She reported that brothe
u Tom had gone to n sanitarium becaus
she had lectured him into 1t, and wa
T. quite satisfied as the weeks lengthene
., into months and Tom still rename
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