The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-08
THE LOVE OF PEN.
Her Sacrifice and the Crown That It
Brought to Her.

1owdermilk Todd's ramshackle buggy,
in which she had just ridden home
from Princeton, was vanishing in
,loud of dust down the road. my
child. God has given you a wonderful
voice. Never make Him regret His
Gift" She Rugged old Lowdermilk's
fervent words to her girlish breast and
cried in a Iittle-just a little. laughing,
Nomanish kind of a cry, she was so
happy.
The side door opened, and her faith
or and a lawyer from Hamilton step
ned out, got into a buggy and drove
off. Something about her fathers APP
nearance suddenly struck down PENS
leaning Joy. She had never seen him
look so stopped before; he also looked
tired. and he passed her with only a
nod. although Mr.. Mason. the lawyer,
smiled and politely lifted his hat. Pen
turned and ran into the house, CULVER
ing under the slight.
Mama, what ails papa?" she asked,
impetuously. HE looks so bad, and he
inst passed me without speaking or
even asking how they liked my sing
ing
Mrs. Whitney, almost as slender and
beautiful as Pen herself, gave her
daughter tender glance. You mustn't
feel hurt, Penelope. Your father is in
might as we'll know the truth now as
later. He has lost everything he put
into the Farmers Implement company
two years ago; all he has in the world
is mortgaged, and his affairs have
reached a crisis. He has gone out now
with Mr.. Mason to try to raise a thou
sand dollars"
He can raise that much easily
enough, can't he?" asked Pen, con-
rdenty.
1T is pitiful to think he can't" an
swered Mrs. Whitney, sadly; but he
mas borrowed so much money lately.
If he fails now, the farm will be sold
at auction"
20, poor papa!" cried Pen; and in
her grief she flung her arms around
her mothers neck and began to sob.
Tee Poor Pen" is what he said" muir
INJURED Mrs. Whitney, smiling mourn
fully and stroking her girls lovely
head of reddish brown hair.
But where could we go, mama?"
asked Pen, despairingly.
Mrs Whitneys lips twitched. 20
Pen. can't bear to think of that yet
MY heart is so wrapped around the old
place Let us hope we shan't have to
&c at ALL" she added, hopefully.
Mr.. Whitney did not return until
long after dark. Neither wife nor
tr7t or lDA 20 Il II.
search, his haggard face and weary
step told all lie refused the supper
Mrs Whitney had kept warm for him,
and dropped into his old hickory rock
ing chair. There he sat hour after
hour, blinking at the lamp, with a
hard, emotionless face. He might
break, but would never bend. Now and
then he figured a little on the back of
an envelope, but he scarcely spoke all
evening. At about IL o'clock he told
Pen briefly to go to bed. She arose
cbediently and kissed him good night;
then she Unexpectedly sank into his
lap and wound her arms tightly around
his neck.
20. papa, I can't sleepl I am so sorry,
so sorry for you, and 1 wish 1 could
help you"
His face softened for the first time,
and ne smiled a little as he laid his
lips upon her downy cheeks
Don't you think it's helping me to
love me so?" he asked 81 would SOON
er have your love, Pen, than all the
money in the world. hard up as I am
tonight. And if l had plenty of money
maybe I shouldn't have so much of
your love. That happens sometimes,
you Know. Now go to bed, and don't
worry any more. 1t will be all right,
no matter what comes so long as you
love me-"
That will be forever, papa" she an
sWered, solemnly.
Al about o'clock the next morn
ing Pen was swiftly crossing the barn.
yard from the house. She was pale,
ana the brown of her eyes were bleach
co. as If by much weeping. Yet she
moved with quick, decided step, and
lew minutes later rolled out of the
odrn IN a phaeton. behind her beauti-
iul black mare Topsy, that Pen had
broken herself.
There were few horses in Butler
county that could have made the six
LlIes 10 Hamilton in thirty minutes,
. nut Iopsy did it and without testing
ene Whlp. The house at which Pen
stopped was the largest in the block,
but she rang the bell Just as boldly
as II 1t had been the smallest. A mo-
t hr Iater she stood opposite the
breakfast table of a square chinned,
easie-eyed. red-headed woman whom
~iS oody would have recognized at
elance as Henry Whitney's sister.
,u aunt Rachel, how much did you
Intend TO pay for my birthday piano?"
plohe out Pen, with scarcely a good
Aunt Rachel seemed to be proof
aeainst surprise, for she answered
oaIInly, as she peppered her boiled
vsS' The instrument l have selected
VIII cost $780,"
ray out for lessons?' ~
- mat depends on yourself. 1 intend
T. Try You with a years instruction.
- "ilI cost about 5000, I should think"
sfv uni Rachel, would you just as soon
tbis me that 500 in money-to-day-
ms lm,orning-right away?"
prised g ''seu ~ NC SUI
all. on down there, Penelope" said she
cofsao tatively. Drink this cup of
sba iee TO steady your nerves. You are
ou oN Ai ike leaf. Now tell me what
a.. ms foolishness is about"
Aunt Rachel" cried Pen. breath
n, S,iy, papa is in trouble and needs
t[ o a and can't get it. and I'm trying
" get it for hint"
sb nSth lei Whitney either knew all
10 I. Her brothers affairs or else chose
TO- 90 Know nothing, for she sought no
lenoI information, but ate on in ST.
.,r mat Pen dared not break.
lo,,i you realize that $500 will be swal-
piU up by your fathers debts like a
cold, ol water in rat hole?" she asked,
0oiqly, at last.
him =, know papa thinks It will save
IN declared Pen, stoutly.