Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-01-05

- tering the office he
had hastily turned toward the button
board, and in an instant myriad of
sparkling electric lights glowed here
and there over the room.
In a moment he had crossed the
broad space in front of the Office door,
over to an alcove inclosed by low
wooden railing, and drawing up a
cushioned revolving chair, seated him
tef at his desk.
Here he set diligently to work in a
manner that would have been worthy
of more experienced accountant.
A sudden shove at some papers sent
o bright, glittering object upon the
floor.
Mr.. Brown stopped and picked it
up.
"a SIS gold piece" he calculated in
surprise. ''How came it there?"
"Well'-he laughingly began, but
broke off suddenly as the door opened
and woman entered
Mr.. Brown placed the coin upon the
desk and viewed the intruder with
suspicion. Th, effort seemed wasted.
The woman, trim looking little
person in spite of her shabby attire.
advanced and paused just outside the
wooden barrier.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Brown" she
said in low, sweet voice. "Mrs.
Mahony met with an accident this
morning, and have come to clean in
her stead -
''That sse? How lid it happen y
asked Mr.. Brown, silently Interested.
"She slipped on the ICY pavement, %
replied the woman in the same rich
tone, "and sprained her ankle"
E"Very, very unfortunate" COM
mented Mr.. Brown. IT suppose she'll
be laid up for week OF two, now
-eh?"
The woman nodded her head.
In few words Mr.. Brown informed
her where she would find the needed
requirements for work, and then,
greatly relieved, took up his task
again as she turned away.
The sound of light footsteps ap-
proaching soon after caused him to
glance casually about. 1t was the
woman, tripping along with pail in
one hand and mop in the other. She
had removed her bonnet and shawl,
and her light brown hair, thickly
streaked with gray, now unconfned,
encircled her face like halo. 1t was
face too refined for scrub woman.
A similar thought occurred to Mr..
Brown. He hastily snatched up the
gold piece and called after her as she
passed.
81 was ridding up my DESK" he
explained, when she had turned, "and
came across this little coin. Won't
you accept it as souvenir of the
year?"
''What is it?" questioned the wom-
an, peering forward.
A tive-dollar gold piece, replied
Mr.. Brown, holding it out to her.
But, much to his surprise, she
made no effort to take it. Instead,
she grew deathly pale and would have
fallen had he not rushed forward and
caught her. He drew up chair,
into which she wearily sank.
''I'm all right" she said, after
while, in answer to his inquiries.
sNo; L cannot take tho gold piece.
I'm poor, know, but I'm proud with
Z it, and I cannot accept charity" Then,
noticing the disappointed look upon
his face, she continued:
IT suppose should tell you; I have
not always been poor. Once 1 was
quite we'll off-rich, though" she
added, with a little irony. sit may
not appear SO now. Then had lit
Tie boy" she went on, "whose chief
delight was to play with gold coins.
The sight of that one unnerved and
brought it all back to me for the mo-
ment. That was all. ="
Somehow the conversation inter
ested Mr.. Brown.
'Is your son living?" he inquired.
''God only knows" tie woman re-
piled. "I've been married twice. At
the time of my second marriage my
boy, then quite little man, grew to
dislike his stepfather, who was ex-
ceedingly strict with him, to such an
extent that he ran away"
"Ran away" reiterated Mr.. Brown.
eyes" said the woman. 1--WE
searched and advertised, but to no
avail. He could not be found. Soon
after my h.'sband's death and failure
in business compelled me to give up
the search which I shall some day,
when my means allow. renew"