Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-01-15

"Oh," the clerk said, she doesn't
know just where. If he did, he'd have
gone and got it, Where'd you find
yours"
HE can answer my advertisement if
he wants TO-, she snapped defantly,
and gathering up her money she went
out. Once i'll the street, the voices made
themselves heard. lit isn't stealing
and even if ii was why shouldn't you?
That fellow would have stolen it quick
Snough. Do you suppose his sister Is
dying? The doctor says she should go at
once. If you wait until tomorrow, it
may be too late, even if the money isn't
claimed. A murderer's worse than IL
thief - She hurried homeward, her
mouth set more firmly and hard look
in her eyes. God" she burst out
fiercely, Il have done my best for you!
Keep the person that lost it from seeing
the advertisement and don let me be IA
murderer
"Have you seen the doctors" said her
sister AS she entered the room. The sick
girls frail, pinched face was startling
in its expectancy. You have been gone
SO long. Is everything fixedY"
eyes, " said Jane, ''for tomorrow.
Tomorrow" said her sister, her face
falling blankly. Tomorrow"
THAT is not long, dear" Jane said
soothingly. She went to the window
and looked out. MY God!" She thought.
what have done: Suppose / should
have to give the money back after tell
ing her she could go away
She took up the fan and sat down by
| the bed. Hour after hour found the po-
sition of the two girls unchanged.
Night came and brought no relief. The
air was sitting, the room was a fur
mace, the heated air that entered the
narrow window reeked with inlpurity.
The girl on the bed was gradually sink
ing. Jane found herself praying YEARLY
III sort of chant: Don't let her die,
God, because l did my best. Don't let
her die, for / did my bcst!" Toward
morning she stopped praying and let
the fan drop in her lap, but she still sat
watching by the bed
At : o'clock the doctor came in with
quiet chcerfulncss. Il have found a
way. He looked down and paused He
went over TO Jane and touched her on
the shoulder. lyon are worn out Come
TO my house and sleep. Twill send some
body here "
1T doesn't matter" said The girl.
"Can bury her for $20:'
mo " said the doctor gently, "nor
for twice that. If you have amy MONEY,
keep it, Twill send some one We must
take her away worry soon, ii IS So hot.
You can come to see her afterw;ud. -
He waited moment. do you know
how"
Yes" she said simply, II know
how She heard neWsboy calling the
papers down below. How long can
you give me-" she asked struck with q
sudden thought.
mot longer than noon, he answered.
Every well. She will be ready -
He went ont sadly. Jane busted her
self with the last duties, simple enough
i'll this case Then she sat down again
by the bed and listened for "a step on
the stairs Nine, 10. ii struck. just
before - she got up and. taking out
the little roll of money, scWed il up in
a sort of pocket she had shipped in her
sisters gown. ''lIe'S had his chance,
and ne hasn't come for it, she said
Il meant il for you. | did my best, but
God wouldn't let you wait. She heard
some one coming up the stairs, and
bonding over she kissed the thin face
Some one knocked. a young man
stood at the door Seeing the bed, he
stepped back and would have passed on,
but she stopped HIM
"What is it," she asked
g. beg your pardon, . he said gravely.
Il did not know. fear ii is not worth
speaking about / lost IL $40 bill yestcr-
! day morning on the street. Some honest
person found it and put an advertise
ment in the paper. He gave this num-
Der, but there are so many people III the
house! | am asking from room TO
room.
She looked at him. He was dressed
in the ordinary fashion, neither poorly
nor well. His face was pleasant and re-
spectful. She stood incSolutc.
L was saving the money to go away
on my vacation, - nc continued.
Her face hardened Her eyes dwelt
for moment ON the white flower i'll his
buttonhole. She glanced from him to
her sister.
"N6, " she said, 81 didn't find it, -
Good morning!" said he. II am
sorry 10 have intruded. Can l do any
thing for YOU" She shook her head.
Won't you, he added with embar-
rassment, won't you let mo give you
this flower" He unfastened it and took
step toward the bed. She sprang for
ward impulsively. He stopped, think
ing she thought him presuming, and
stretched the flower TO her. After "A mo-
ment she took it and put it gently in
her sisters hand. Thank you, she
said brokenly. AT this moment two men
i'll uniform came 10 the open door. The
young fellow slipped away.
One of the men entered and said
! kindly, "You need not wait. "
"No, she said. Il am going. "