The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-02

'Phim put her hand resoluteiy Dehlnu
her. mo, he won't" she said. HE
going to buy things for Auntie-coffee
and things-sO she won't be loser over
Bennys stonev'
'Phim's eagerness took her early to
Auntie's hut. She pictured il swept and
garnished, Auntie ready. But she found
disarranged. Auntie sat on the step, her
kerchief awry, and the look on her face
struck dismay to the soul of her little
friend.
| Its gone Auntie said, lifting up her
eyes. THE money is gone. Benny will
never have his stone"
| 'Phim leaned blankly against the wall.
| Cone she echoed. Gone! Where?'
| Auntie's hand, from force of habit, went
to her pocket. 1t had CROPPED there hope
lessly at intervals all night. The old face
altogether old now-turned to her, and
her voice was sharp with pain which
the years had been secretly nourishing.
Its gone, Seraphim-gone Not lost
gone. See, there is no hole in my pocket.
and the pocket is deep. If it had fallen l
should have heard. I've gone over every
inch of the floor on hands and knees.
There's not crack it could lodge in. It's
gone-taken."
Taken? Why, who's been here,
Auntie?'
You Children
She said the words quietly. There was
heart-break in the tone, and she turned
away her face. In the hush she felt, but
did not see, the crimson blood rise to
| 'Phim's brow and ebb away.
1--WE didn't take it," the child said.
''You know that"
The old woman made no answer. She
sat with ciasped hands, in gentle, rocking
posture of resigned but poignant grief.
'Phim's little trembling hand was in her
pocket. 1t came out impulsively.
"Oh, Auntie" she said, with sudden.
low weeping. "Auntie, don't know any
thing about your loss. But maybe Benny
can have his stone. Here's some money
take it, l found it going home last
night. It's silver money-oh, is it big
enough? Daddy buys everything with this
kind.''
ly, turning it over and over. AS she
looked her face hardened and whitened.
Then she threw the piece from her with 4
cry of grief and rage.
You little wretch-you little wretch"
she shrilled. You stole my money-be
hold the evidence against you. You stole
it and gave it to your trifin' ma. This is
your part-hush money. And l loved
your
There was a dreadful moment of per-
feet silence. 'Phim's face took ON the
pinched look which approaching death
gives. One little hand clutched at her
heart as the spasm passed over. Then
she stopped for the despised coin and
dropped it into her pocket.
you've said wrong, Auntie," she said
in n steady, concentrated way, which yet
threatened momentarily to break into pas
sionate storm. Il think you are crazy.
When you find your money, tell me, will
you? Well go. GOod-by, Auntie Hib-
bardr"
Auntie watched the children, stern and
silent till they turned the bend. Then
the lines of her face broke up. Guilty.
she said. Guilty! Ben, you'll have to
give up. But II give up something
more. Them children-oh, I'll never be-
lieve in anyone again.
Out on the ever-brightening Wabash
'Phim struggled with the first tremendous
grief of her life. Benny's stone had fallen
upon and crushed her.
1t was the first time in her life for her
to feel the need of prayer. Cod sud
denly stood for power. Hitherto the
name had been word to be used by her
father in moments of emotion. Now it
was her word. Find Auntie Hibbards
money" she prayed. "Oh. God. find
Auntie Hibbard's money, and I'll do any
thing you tell met
The water rippled unbelievingly. She
got up in desperation. 1T must be
fOundr' she said. setting her teeth to-
IL
me againr'
Something clinked in her pocket. The
sound stung to life an inspiration. "Oh!'
she gasped. ''rhat silver money! know
where it came from now! The Vision lost
it when she got her flowers! Auntie said
it was some of her money. It isn't I've
got to go back and tell her if it kills me!
Odde-TotIe, come 'ere"'
Once more-for the last time, she felt
sure-she took the familiar path followed
by the small Pillows which the exigencies
of life had, fguratively, fastened to her.
Auntie was getting supper and met them
with cold and distant frown. The express
sion wavered when their errand was de-
clared.
I've 'membered where this money came
FROM" was 'Phim's dreary explanation, as
she held out the bit of silver Il want
you to keep it for the Vision-keep it till
she comes You could get Benny's stone
with it, but it isn't ours-yours nor mine.
OF course, it's hers-nobody round here
has money to drop or to give away. Keep
it for her, please. Good-by."
"Can be misjudging!" Auntie thought,
wavering. But just then fat little 'TOtle
came toward them breathlessly, holding
up dirt-stained fist. There was an eX-
preston of disgust and disappointment on
the face of mOOn-like contour. He didn't
drow a bit. 'Phm!' he complained. "Me
planted him dOod-and he amt drowed 4
bitr'
Below, under the hollyhocks, was the
tiny grave of fruitless experiment.
The old woman snatched her coin with
a cry of joy. struck through with pain.
"Oh, 'Phim.' she sobbed. ''Oh, 'Phim!
Oh, 'Phim!'
But 'Phim stopped her, putting mp
trembling lips for the kiss of peace. "He
didn't know no better" she murmured
unntelligibly. HE didn't mean no harm
and amt you glad?"
So Rabbit Hollow laughed at Auntie
Hibbard's folly, for Benny got his stone.
1t is there to-day, white and peaceful in
the sun or storm. Auntie has long since
gone to seek him in the other country; but
while she fingered the Vision and the
love of the little Pillows frightened life
SCARED by many battles.
Why Incandescent Lights Are Costly.