Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-12-06

lief it would be to him if it were only
paid of. But there was no prospect
of it. He could not work any harder
than he did, and he was able to make
the farm just pay expences. And
sometimes there were losses by tenn
pest or food or drought that put him
back for months.
With deep flush on her face, Eftie
rose suddenly from the step and ian
upstairs to her own room. She felt
that she could not meet her brother
just yet.
She sat down by the side Of her bed
and buried her face in her pillow.
ooh, can't, Ican't 1" she said aloud,
in answer to some suggestion from her
conscience.
There was silence in the room a
minute and then a long, gasping sigh
escaped her lips.
1T would not be generous to do 1t
unless l could do it freely-gladly,
she murmured. "But-but-I ought
to. Poor Herman He has worked SO
hard -
1t was about ten minutes later that
she heard Herman calling to her,
She sprang up, bathed her face,
brushed her hair hastily and hurried
down to the kitchen.
Her brother was standing by the
window, with the brown paper parcel
in his hands.
Here's something that will make
your eyes sparkle, Efhe !" he said.
"Open it, and tell me if that isn't just
what YOU wanted
Efie took the parcel and opened 1t
mechanically. 1t contained a dress
pattern of soft surah silk, Of a deli
cate fawn color, half dozen yards of
pink satin ribbon, pretty fan and a
pair Of white kid gloves.
She stared at her brother in amaze
ment.
Herman, where did you get these p
"Ata store in Barwater. Mrs. Hap
good chose them for me. | would
never have dared undertake it my
self.
"But-the money, Herman ??
Never mind about that, Efie, an
swered Herman, quickly, a sudden
flush rising to his face. Make up the
dress, and go to the party and enjoy
yourself. You do have a dull time of
it here, and it's a pity if you can't 90
to a party once in while. And now
get me something to eat, tor I'm al
most starved. l haven't bad anything
since breakfast"
Herman Ridden thirty miles to-
day and no dinner Well, you must
be hungry -
She went close to him and kissed
him teaderly.
ut was very good of you to buy
me the dress, she said, her voice
little constrained, as she remembered
that struggle upstairs with her con-
science.
She set the coffee pot on the stove
and then went into the pantry, emerg-
ing moment later with a'bone in her
hand.
Heres something | saved Tor Leo,
she said, "IIe must be almost starved,
too. You ought not to have taken
him, Herman
She was almost at the door when
her brothers voice arrested her.
LEO isn't out there Efie. It's no
nae 10 call him. | sold him this morn
ing"
Herman Sold Leo T.
She would not have been more sur
prised had be told her he had sold
the farm, for she knew the big brown
setter was his dearest earthly posses
sion.
Eyes, and Herman averted his face
from his sisters shocked gaze. Il
don't really need him, you know. /
don't often have chance to go hunt
ing now, and there was a man in Bar
water who had wanted him for long
time. and offered me $50 for him."
Efie made no rejoinder. She was
staring straight before her, an express
sion Of such poignant grief and cOntrI-
ton on her face that Herman was
started.
He crossed the room and put bis
arms around her afectionately.
Il didn't know you carei 90 much
for the poor old dog. Eae, be said
his voice little shaken.
Tt-it-isn't that" she answered,
| in a low, tense voice. "But--oh, Her
man, I know why you sold himl You
made that sacrifice for me, while L