Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-09-16

get yourshat-we'll go to the bank. "
What girl would delay under SINH
lar circumstances?
The carriage was speedily ordered,
and soon stopped before the bank.
Except tho bank officials, there was
in the building only George Travis,
one OF Hates discarded suit ors, who
was getting IN Insignificant check
cashed.
Mrs. Driscoll was not slow to see
an opportunity to hutter her sails, as
her worthy husband had been accus-
tomel to say.
Drawing her chec'1 book she smil-
ingly wrote check for $4,000 and
presented it to tho cashier.
Payable to Miss Kate "a marriage
portion, I presume. ALI, very gener-
GUS OF you! Miss Kate. congratu-
late you," said the cashier. ''Shall
make the new book in your name?'
''She wants no book-,at least not
yet" retortel Mrs. Driscoll, sharply.
"When.I give thing, I give it. I
want good, solid money for that check
bright, yellow gold.
"But -why-you live fully q mile
from q neiyhbor. Have yon-do You
think OF the tcmptatiou?" he said,
hesitafingly.
"Did ask your advice?' snapped
Mrs. Driscoll. II an able to take
care of my own property, aid, If it
will no. break the bank, I want it in
gold"
"Certa;nly, madam. My conscience
is clear il You wake up to find your
self murdered Tomorrow. morning.
This bank can pay ten times that sum
at sight, madam" was the dignilied
reply, Mt which Mrs. Drscoll listened
in curt silence.
Tho cashier went into the vault,
closing the door bohin him.
George Travis, having counted the
money received on his check, went
out without glance at the two ladies.
"There Now reckon Travis he.
gins to realize what he has Iost?"
nodded Mrs. Driscoll.
Kato blushed slightly.
"Bnt, aunt" sio said, ullAsily,
"wouldn't it bo better for me to take
book with the money left to my
credit? Harry will not be here until
to tomorrow, and-and think OF the
risk 1t is unsafe"
GLOW long is it since came to be
told my duty by q miss OF eighteen?"
breathed Mrs. Driscoll, scornfully,
"Whst IL coward YOU are! If-you
don't want the money, say so, and
I'll let it remain where it is. If you
do want it, hold your tongue, and
help me take care Of it until I can
give you both into Harry Wiuship's
keepin9."
Further conversation was prevented
by the cashiers return.
He carried a strong iron box,
''Oount it'll" demanded Mrs. Dris-
coll. ~ - -.
Ons-by one the golden coins were
counted Under her admiring eyes.
''There; that is money! That is
like wedding giftW she calculated,
in q satisfied tone.
'.'Better let me give you a receipt
for it and put it into the safe to-
night" suggested the cashier.
"Put it into my carriage" was the
sharp order to the bank porter.
The man obeyed and watched with
puzzled face the carriage out of
sight.
"She beats all I ever saw" lie
said. II don't wonder her husband
died."
Meanwhile Mrs. Driscoll returned
home we'll satisfied with the world and
herself in particular.
She had had her own way.
II shall not put this under my pill
low as l generally do" she said to
Kate. This box is harder than
feathers. I shall put it under the cor.
ner of your bod"
"Thanks, aunt! Iron is as soft as
feathers for me to lie on" laughed
Kate. .,.,,
"You needn't lie on that side of
the bed at ALL" was the cool reply.
"There's man in the kitten as
says he's had not mouthful to eat
for ten days" said Norah, the SER
want, appearing at the door.
1.-The farm IS only a mile further
on. Send him about his business"
her mistress.
Norah went ont.
Soon figure clothed in rags went
by the open window.
TIE man turned and shook his
clinched fist ut the astonished lady.
"Of all things! The impudent
thing" she gasped.
ooh, but, aunt. I'm sure he has
heard all that we said about that hor.
rid money!" faltered Kate.
Mrs. Driscoll's face told the con-
Germ which she felt, but she turned
her back upon her niece and took mp
q book.
Darkness came.
The lights in the house were en-.
at the usual time.
Kate could not sleep. In vain she
slowly from one hundred to
one, and said the letters Of the alpha.
bet backward.
She heard the village clock slowly
strike the hour of midnight, then one,
two, and three.
Hates apartment was dark, but the
moon shone dimly into her aunt's
room just across the hall.
Suddenly form stood in the door.
vav than Vanished within