Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-06-10
ANNIE'S
BIRTHDAY GIFT
A Story Of Blackmail
ard Its Results.

ard It's Results. 3
Sso.o~esc~osossos :
The village clock was striking the
hour OF one afternoon as Annie Ora
ham stepped out Of her trim and com.
Portable cottage 20 meet her husband
nj the gate.
She made n pleasant picture for the
eye 10 rest upon. Her year OF married
life had been = very happy one. and
never did maiden look more engerly
for her lover than did she for her hus
bands return from the distant city.
whittier he had gone week ago on
business for his employers.
Among the few ornaments she wore
was beautifully chased gold bracelet
which enelrcled her left wrist. AS her
eye caught Its CLEAN peaceful smile
liz up her sweet face. for II WINS her
husbands gift TO her ON her last birth
day.
She stood at the gate and looked
down the road In the direction OF the
small mining village through which
her husband must pass on his way
from the station. A mans form came
into view on the quiet road. but a sin
gle glance sufilced 10 show her that II
was not the familiar figure she looked
for. She scarcely observed the man
further. her eyes travelling beyond him
90 scan the road. I'LL be halted almost
at her side.
Cant you spare a copper for poor
fellow who has walked all the way
FROM he begaD. with the usual plea
and whine of The professional tramp.
but stopped abruptly and gave vent TO
n low wbistle.
so It's you he exclaimed sneering-
ly. recovering from his surprise.
~trsn,t you glad TO see an old pair
She looked at him for n moment.
then drew back In fear.
II suppose you've got too high and
mighty for the likes OF me-" he con-
tinued. observing her action. II heard
you had got spliced TO the gaffer OF a
mine somewhere about this quarter.
bu, had no Idea Of such slice OF luck
/ a. this happy meeting with you. So
this Ia whore you hang out. ehf II
doe lcs comfortable inside"
4 " ,ee s s a.. SEQ.
.annot come In" she
cricu See. here il some
money. Ta-e Il and 20 away"
He examined the contents OF the
purse which she handed 10 him. They
amounted to only half dollar. and he
was dissatisfied.
I'm as dry ~ a dusty road In June.
and this viii hardly wet my throat.
Let's see that bauble on your wrist. IL
should be worth something" he said.
looking greedIly at the bracelet
mo. indeed. win not have al
ready given you more than enough. so
please go"
"Not II know n thing or two" he
said. with n cunning leer. "Dld you
tell your adorable husband that you
got the swop from watson's for nab
bling a trinket Ike that? No. guess
not"
"You know how false that charge
was" she cried Indignantly. but with
fear In her eyes at the mention Of her
husband.
"oh, OF course you say 80. but who
would believe your" he returned.
Hand over that bit OF Jewelry. ah,/
NUNS the word"
ITS my husbands gift 20 me-" sh
pleaded. and cannot part with H.
viii give you ne value Ia money. bu
do not ask this"
She turned 10 enter the house for tb
money, but he was too quick for her.
mot so fast. my pretty. "A bird Id
the hand Is worth two In the BUSH any
day. ! can make rs good terms with
your husband. so IL must be that gilt
thing or nothing"
She eagerly scanned the road again.
Yonder nj last was the well known
figure Of her husband. Should
She tell bin al and trust 10 bis belIev-
ng In her lnnocencel What II be
should believe this mans story?
These thoughts passed quickly
through her mind. The risk OF losing
lis love and respect seemed too great
o face. She clipped the bracelet from ,
Ter wrist and handed IL 10 the man.
There. take IL and go quickly" she /,
aid. with white, drawn face
He snatched II from her and walked !.
way, hummlng a lively air ard look.
lg the virtuous man he claimed 10 be
= he passed her husband a short dis n
lnce from the gate.
John Graham greeted his young wife o
1ectlonately. and together they enter. n
] the house. He observed her palior r
pr the irst tlms as she turned up the q
ght Of the dining room lamp.
What's the matter. AnnieT" he In II
ulred anxlously. "You look as II you q
nd got fright Have you been mop q
x In my absence? meant 10 be back u
couple OF days sooner. but could n
II get my business finished In time u
1T Is nothing. John did weary for b
mr. coming md 4 am clad In 500 Won e.