The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-02-11


cash, and then bury me at town expense.
Well. 1 shall never know it,
But Doris did not die. She lived a
day and half without eating, because
she was too proud to run in to any of
her neighbors' houses, socially, for a
cup of tea.
Toward the end of the second day
Mrs. Gillespie opened the kitchen door
and found Doris weak and shiverinp
in her little downstairs bedroom. de.
batting within herself whether she
should make friendly visit to Ann
Finney. her next neighbour. where she
would be sure of hearty welcome.
warmth and supper.
why, Doris Hilburn, your fire is as
dead as Julius Caesar, and YOU look as
ii you were going to have a fever.
Whatever in this world possesses YOU
TO keep so at home? meant to send
Sarah Jane down to ask you to spend
tomorrow with us, but on second
thoughts decided to come myself"
Doris tried to smile a welcome. and
rose feebly to start fire with the next
days share of shingles.
I'm not quite SO clipper to- day." she
said. drawing forth her little rocking
chair for the visitor. Il guess I'll be all
right to-mor-" she staggered and fell
forward into Mrs. Gillespie's arms.
That good lady put her back to bed.
watched her shrewdly as she regained
her consciousness. then said: "Now,
lie still, Doris, and I'll light your fire
for you"
There's some mystery here" she
confided to the poker. as she cleaned
out few wood ashes. There hasn't
been coal fire in this stove for two
days. Doris looks pinched with hun
ger. and that fainting was bad piece
Of business"
She took an old friends privilege of
softly opening the ''buttery" door and
glancing along the shelves.
mot crumb Of anything that n ba by
fly could make a meal on. Doris is
either out of her mind, and growing
misery, or else she has put Der saw
ings into some humbug concern that
don't pay any dividends except to the
men that run it,"
She lighted the fire, then stepped TO
the bedroom door.
Doris, as soon as you get warmed
up bit. you might put your night.
gown into your little satchel bag and
come right back with me tonight.
Sarah Jane thinks some of pulling mo-
lasses candy after supper. and maybe
the Simpson girls will be over You
used to be more sociable.''
She smiled and gave Doris mother
ly pat on the shoulder
What a godsend!" thought Doris.
never dreaming that her old friend had
discovered the true state of affairs.
1t was heavenly change when after
letting the shingle fire down and fas-
tening the doors and windows. Doris
with her ''satchel bag" on her left arm
accompanied her good friend to the
home OVERLOOKING with plenty.
The merriment after supper was at
its height when there was a knock AZ
the side door
Eben Dooli!tle!
Mrs. Gillespie and the girls crowded
around him with n hearty welcome but
Doris sat white and trembling. WHY
had he come back so soon? Had his
last venture failed?
He gave her a penetrating look as he
came up and took her hand. then said:
II called at your house, Dor-Miss
Hilburn. and suspected you were here
l wanted to see you-on business"
Her heart was whirling, and her pale
cheeks were growing hot. To relieve
her confusion. Eben began to joke with
Sarah Jane and the Simpson girls about
the candy pulling.
After taffy. pop corn. games and rid
dies. she and Eben were alone for n
minute or two. while Mrs. Gillespie and
Sarah Jane received the long-drawn
leave-taking of the Simpson girls at .he
side door.
Eben came close to Doris
II have only minute 20 speak. and |
suppose l am ungallant to the Simpson
girls. but-Doris. do YOU think didn't
know who put that blessed money in
my hall that night? saw you. Doris,
from the shadow Of the window where
was standing. lonely. and weak. and
dispirited. When l picked up that en-
,elope and saw its contents. I under
stood the innocent little forgery. and
] knew that yon must still care for me-
oh. how Doris was trembling now
II took that money. vowing that I
would make 1t increase and multiply
for you. 1t is we'll invested in Chicago,
and ! have the promise of a good po-
sition there. but | could not settle
down to it till had made this flying