Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-05-02
ANNIE'S
BIRTHDAY GIFT
A Story Of Blaokmaii
and It's Results.


The village clock was striking the
hour Of 8 one afternoon as Annie Gre.
ham stepped out Of her trim and com
Portable cottage to meet her husband
nj the gate.
She made a pleasant picture foT the
eye to rest upon. Her year OF married
life had been a very happy 0ue. aud
never did maiden look Iuore eagerly
for her lover than did she for hef bus
bands return from the Distant city.
whittier he had gone a week ago on
business for his employers.
Among the few ornaments she were
was a beautifully chased gold bracelet
which encircled her left wrist. As hpr
eye caught its CLEAN a peaceful smiie
liz up her sweet face. for Il vas Der
husbands gift to Der 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 bis way
from the station. A mans form came
into view on the quiet road. bu; a sin
gle glance suficpd 10 show her that It
was not the familiar figure she looked
for. She scarcely observed the man
further. her eyes travelling beyond him
to scan the road. ill he halted almost
at her side.
Cant you spare a copper FOR a poor
fellow who has walked all the way
from he began. with the usual plea
and whine OF the professional tramp,
but stopped abruptly and gave vent to
a low whistle.
so it's your be exclaimed sueering-
". recovering from bis u prise.
"Aren't you glad to sec an old pair
She looked Mt him for a moment,
then drew back In fear.
II suppose you've got too high and
mighty for the likes OF me-" he con
tlnucd. observing her action. Il beard
you had got spllced TO the gnffer Of a
mine somewhere about this quarter.
but bad no idea Of scch s. slice Of luck
az this happy merDla with YOU. %
this Is where you ban: out oh7 Il
does look rather comfortable inside"
He drew nearer the gate and made
rs If TO enter.
mo. no. you cannot zone in." she
cried in alarm. See. here Is some
money. Take II and 20 away"
He examined the contents Of the
purse which she handed to him. They
amounted to only half a dollar, and be
was dissatisfied.
I'm as dry as a dusty road In June.
and this will hardly wet my throat.
Let's see that bauble on YOU wrist. It
should be worth something" be said,
looking greedily at the bracelet.
NO. indeed. | will not I have al
ready given you more than enough. SO
please 60"
Not If | know a thing or two" be
said. with a cunning leer. Did you
tell your adorable husband hat you
got the swop from Watson's for nab
bling a trinket Ike that? no, l guess
not"
You know how false that charge
was" she CRIED Indignantly, but with
fear In her eyes at the mention Of heI
husband.
''Oh. Of course you say SO, but who
would believe youT" he returned
"Hand over that bit Of jewelry, and
NUNS the word"
ITS my husbands gift TO me-" she
pleaded. 'and ! cannot part with It.
will give you its value in money, but
do not ask this"
She turned to enter the house for tho
money. but he was too quick for her.
Not so fast. my pretty. "A bird II
the hand Is worth two In the bush an
day. | can make as good terms witt
your husband. SO 1t must be that gil
thing or nothing"
She eagerly scanned the road again
Yonder at last was the well know
stalwart figure Of her husband. Shout,
she tell him all and trust TO his beliey
ing in her innocence? What If b
should believe this mans story7
These thoughts passed quickl
through her mind. The risk Of losin
his love and respect seemed too grea
TO face. She slipped the bracelet fror
Der wrist and handed Il to the man.
There, take II and go quickly" sh
said. with white. drawn face.
He snatched II from her and wake
away. cumming q lively air and lool
ing the virtuous man be claimed to }
as he passed her husband a short di
lance from the gate.
John Graham greeted his young Will
aEectionately. and together they ente
ed the house. he observed her pale
for the first time as she turned up Il
Hight OF the dining Don lamp.
whats the matter. Annief' be I
qulred anxiOusly. You look as n 70
had got a fright. Have you been mo
ing In my ahsence2 ! to be ba'
Q couple OF days ooner but ! cOu
not get my business finished In time
1T Ia nothing. John. I did weary Z
your coming. and ! am glad to see -
bone nrnln." she aid. with an enc
10 keep the trpmor cat Of her voice.
Il have news for you. dear" be ga
when they were seated NJ the teat
bile. Il met some OF my people In q
rify and wa isVited home. As IN
appeared 10 be holding out the Oh
branch Of peace Of course | went. al
the upsbot IA that matters we
emOothed over. They have most or
eiotsly condescended to forgive us {
..s-~fv. auT usu uuufRar and aigfa