The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04
By FRANCES B. L..HowE.

The squire had forgotten his pom
posity. Five hundred dollars to the
man that delivers this letter. he cried,
his glance taking in the little knot Of
men at the village postoflce There
were no replies.
Five hundred dollars is a good deal.
boys" he added, persuasively.
Telegraph, Squire some one spoke
up.
Wires down." was the curt response.
Make it thousand" said the squire
in his harsh. dry voice. The men looked
at each other, then out of the window at
the thickly falling snow, which the wind
was whirling down the already drffted
street AN it's a BLOWN sixty waxa
fer Sunday up here now" muttered
some one under his breath. No one no.
ticed a boy who slipped out and hob
bled away UP the street as fast as his
clutches and the binding snow woulc
allow.
Did he really say that, Bobby" asked
Winnie, putting her hands on the boys
shoulders and looking into the excited
depths of his clear blue eyes. so like his
mothers that she felt the hot tears
spring TO her own. did he really saw
thousand dollars. Bobby, and did the
men hear him say it?"
She waited anxiousIy for his an
swer. and then. with lines of determin-
alton about her mouth. she said firmly.
He won't dare 20 go back on his word
then"
winnie rested her chin on her hand
and looked intently at the floor. but she
ala not see the faded carpet, so scru-
pulously clean. She saw her father
grown prematurely old and gray. work
Ing far into the night over his accounts
with but one answer to the tender in
quiries. Nothing that you can help me
with dear" in voice that tried hard
10 be CHEEKY. and the ever ready kiss.
Mother had said, Take care of father -
She looked up Bobby was looking at
her, then az his clutches. with wistfuI
face. Winnie understood and smootbed
the bright head lovingly as she said
Never mind, Bobby sister will man
age 1t; only don't let father know
where I've gone.
Bobby flung his arms about his sister
In boyish enthusiasm, crying:
Il knew you'd find a way, winnie"
Go 10 the squire's. Bobby. Tell him
you have found a messenger and get
the letter and l Will be ready by the
time you get back"
The boy started on his errand and
Winnie ran up to her room Seating
herself at her desk. she wrote her
name and address distinctly upon
piece OF paper, folding up with II a slip
which she had distracted from her
fathers desk and the sQuire's letter
that Bobby slipped under her door.
About 1t all she wrapped a large hand
keTchief and pinned 1t securely inside
the waist OF her riding habit
She wound her long braid tightly
about her head and fastened IL firmly,
then drew on her sealskin cap, which
came down well over her ears Under
the skirt of her riding habit she wore
pair OF Bobby's heavy trousers. Her
own rubber boots, fur gloves, and a fur
trimmed coat completed her outfit.
She rode slowly and carefully TO hus-
band Ginger's strength. In places the
road was swept bare, in others the
snow came to the pony's breast, but she
tested each step and held every inch
she gained. SO on mile after mile.
though the storm increased in violence
and the air grew more chill The girl
pulled of her gloves and thrust her
half-frozen hands between the saddle
and Ginger's warm, pulsating sides and
derived comfort as well as warmth from
the contact. Bravely she talked to the
pony and bravely the animal tried to
respond. but the way was long-oh, so
cruelty long,-and the biting wind PEN
etrating. She fell into a sort of stupor.
from which she reused from time TO
time to mutter between stiffened lips:
Were taking care of father, mother.
It's thousand dollars
A black something doomed up through
the snowy air. then took shape, till the
spires and chimneyB of the city APP