Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-06-25

WORKED, ne WAS Couilucnt tHdI enc WAS
, not a professional. 1t could not be pow
erty. She was entirely ultra" in dress
and appointments. 1t must have been
a sudden temptation that she could not
resist.
! At the end OF two months time he re-
ceiyed an express package. He opened
it and found $500, also a note, typewrit-
ten. informing him that peculiar cir
| cumstanccs had led to the regretted act
of borrowing the money which was re-
turned with interest, and the request
that the ring be forwarded to Miss l..
Y. Morgan, general delivery, Springfield,
IN. The note ended with the request
that he make no effort to discover her
identity or reason for her act. Her
greatest desire was TO never see him
again.
Gregory's heart beat exultantly. His
instinct had been correct. She was a
lady and she had acted honorably. lie
liked the feeling that prompted the pay
ment of the interest which he resolved
TO keep, as he knew It would in a meas
ure assure her that she had made atone
ment. He returned the ring as directed,
with a little note informing her that the
restoration Of the money was the least
of his pleasures. The first was in find
ing that his first impressions were cor
%rect--that she was a woman good and
true. his next in being able TO return
her ring, which she must have missed.
He regretted very much her wishes,
which he OF course would respect. that
he make no effort TO learn her Identity,
but he hoped chance would some day
effect a meeting. He received a BRIEF
acknowledgment of the receipt OF the
ring. The months went by, and Stephen
Gregory treasured her face in his mem
DRY. He knew the name she gave was
fictitious and he also felt assured that
Springfield was only a temporary abid-
ing place.
At Christmas, however, he was invited
to a house party in Minneapolis. He was
the last of the guests to arrive, and
when he was presented to Miss Whit
ncy," and the beautiful face Of which he
had been dreaming was raised, a thrill
of pleasure ran through his veins. She
turned deadly pale, but her manner was
composed and controlled. The hostess
moved on and left them alone, as they
stood a little apart from the others.
MAY | ask you" she said. in a low,
strained voice. ito say nothing until ]
can have a few moments conversation
with you in private"
Certainly he replied, 81 will make
an early opportunity to do so"
An hour later they were alone in the
music room. She was still very pale.
and there was a hunted look in her eyes
which made his heart yearn toward her.
"Of course" she said YEARLY, "it is
your duty to give our hostess a sufficient
reason why | should not be here, but
may | ask you to spare me that dis
closure? Twill have a telegram summon
me from here Immediately"
MY dear Miss Whitney" he said, and
the sympathy and Difference in his voice
gave her heart its first hope, 81 wouldn't
be such a cad as that! Even if you give
me no explanation-and do not ask
one-of that little affair which resulted
only in a purely business transaction, |
shall be entirely convinced that you are
an honorable woman. and | beg you to
remain here and permit me TO know
you"
Her eyes filled with tears, which she
quickly forced back, and in a moment
spoke:
Il will tell you the whole truth. Ihave
a modest income which | add to by writ
ing for magazines. The date Of payment
for such labor is uncertain and not to
counted upon. Ny little sister had a Sc
we're illness early last summer When
she was convalescent the doctors en-
phatically ordered her to the seaside.
My ready money had been exhausted
by the expenses attending her illness.
| had already anticipated my allowance,
and | knew not where to borrow,
although | was sure that in two months
time | would be in a position to repay.
That day | saw you in the car | had been
downtown to pawn my ring and watch.
| had never done such a thing before,
and | hung about the pawnshops until
| lost my nerve, and resolved to wait
n I'D ynnlya on 40 rlv ,,,nyntpo vim uthnr
fewer people were about. | saw your
roll of bills and it made me sick to think
how much money there was in the world
and yet a life | loved might be lost for
want of a paltry sum. | was desper-
ate. The temptation came to me when
you sat beside me, 1t was so easily
done! ! purposely left the ring in your
pocket as security, | don't know how |
got off the car and walked down the
street, | was so frightened. found your
card, and by inquiry learned you were
not poor, so | felt easier. And-you know
the rest"
1T almost kills me when | recall what
| did and what | am, but-under the
same circumstances should do It
again. The end justified the means. |
was fortunate in that you are the man
you are
Miss Whitney, he said, earnestly,
extending his hand, ut was. as ! said, a
purely business transaction, and one
most bonorably met by you. | never
shall regret the act. | am heartily glad
of the occurrence that led to my knowing
you"
had found tho Danish Erickson expcdi-