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

How much wae il? She did not dare
look. Perhaps some one was following
her. She turned cautiously and wens
back block. She could not detect that
any one had an interest in her move
ments. Turning again, she went on.
Her walk had become almost Il run.
Finally she came upon the starved lit
tie park she had been making for. The
grass was burned away, but there We're
few brown leaved trees and some seats
She sat down, painting. The paper
scorched in her fist, but she felt that
she could not open it. Eying narrowly
the drowsy newsboys on the next bench,
she took off her hat rs if to cool herself
and laid it carelessly III her lap, putting
her hands under it. She smoothed out
the paper. 1t was bill. SEe was sure
of that, though she dared not look as
yet. A man passed, and she crumpled it
with a start. When all was still again,
she lowered her eyes slowly. All this
time, though her heart was beating
furiously, she herself seemed TO have no
feeling in the matter. She seemed re-
solved into the abstract quality of sus-
picion. She recognized what must be
the habitual apprehension of criminal.
Finally she could bear suspense no Ion.
ger and peered under her hat at the bill
in her hands 1t was $50. She sat stupe-
fed. A month wages, a month wages.
picked up in moment! Her brain gal
loped on with the thought until the
noise it made walked her gradually into
a recognition Of where she was. She
sprang up and almost ran home. Her
sister had not moved. Her eyes were
still widely open and her hands were
listless beside her Oh the bed
Jane sat down and took up the fan
again. Il am going to send you TO the
country" she said slowly and tenderly.
1.-The doctor says you will get we'll i'll a
short time, and l have got the money.
The sick girl turned her head. Her
eyes for the first time lost their blank
expression They saw. They looked
into James eyes questioningly. Her
mind was struggling to receive the idea
Think" said Jane, putting her
cheek down to her sisters. Think of
fresh, cool air and nights when you can
sleep and fruit and cold water and -
She stopped with "A lump III her throat
The sick girl moisteDed her lips with
a pitiablc effort The money she
said in amazement.
"Oh. " said Jane, that's all right.
IL asked Mr.. Roberts to give me IL
months wages. That's all right >
The sick girl kissed her sister. Her
eyes were wet. They frightened like Il
dropping flower i'll the rain. She could
not speak.
Now" said Jane after moment,
Il am going to see the doctor. He
knows Of IA nice place where you can 20
at once. Keep up, dear, for soon you
will be well again
She went down the rickety stairs and
turned mechanically III the direction of
the doctors house In reality she did
not see where she was going. She was
in revolt against herself. why did you
le?' She thought fierccly. why did
you liey There was nothing to be
ashamed of. You have not done wrong.
1t is not wrong to find things, and no
one has better right How could you
find the owner if you tried? But you
didn't try. Who needs it more than
you? Your sister will die without it.
Who could have dropped it? Perhaps
that was all he had. But the bill is so
new it must have come from the bank.
He must be rich, then, and the doctor
says she must go at once. She was ex-
hausted with the wEirl III her head. She
found herself at the doctors house He
was on the steps. Doctor, she said,
Il have got-it | could get $40, could
send my sister away to the place you
spoke Of? Could she go at once
"Yes," said nc eagerly, and the
sooner the better. Can you get it?
know il would put life into her, but
there is no time to be lost Can You
really get the money
The girl was silent for moment.
IF | could get it by tomorrow even
ing, she said slowly, would that
dor"
Better today" said he "She should
go now, and | can attend to her getting
off. If you are sure you can get the
money, l will gladly advance you
enough to start her on. -
Jane seemed more stolid than ever.
II don't know" she said stupidity. Il
am not sure. guess I'd better wait.
Won't tomorrow evening do?" she said
with "A cry that was almost unhuman.
Yes, of course, asscnted the doctor
hopefully. II see no reason why she
should die if you can only get her away.
Let me know as soon as you can. Every
minute counts i'll this weather.
She watched him with hungry eyes
as he went up the steps and then she
started down town again. The internal
colloquy began where it had been bro
ken off. 'You felt like thief when
you found the money. What did you
look around so for? Why did you think
some one was following you? You felt
like a thief and if you felt like one you
arc one. And he says your sister should
go at once = at once, or she may die
Would you rather be u thief or muir
dercry"