The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-01

was the only way of discretion and that
he was lucky to be alive He struggled
to his feet and began to brush his clothes
AT this moment Annie heard a voice be-
hind her
why, it's Annie Johnson! Now. isn't
this the greatest luck! I'd lost your adj
dress.
Marcia Colbert was standing in the
doorway, vision of loveliness in the eyes
of poor Annie.
Il hadn't ought to have come in here"
said the girl, but I knocked an I
thought l heard your voice. An after I
got in l waited because-because"-
well I'm mighty glad you did," said
Miss Colbert, I've some clothes for you
about a dray load. l should Judge 1
don't know how you'll carry them
She removed a gold chain from around
her neck. 1t had supported d little bag
which was SO full of money that it burst
open when it was dropped upon the table.
Beholdihg the display of green notes, An
ME passed into a species of trance. which
was so long continued that it attracted
Miss Colbert's attention
I've just drawn some money for
Clothes" said she. Had to have it, An
ME. I've got to buy costumes in a ter
l
could the poor manager do?"
Intensity of thought wrinkled and twist
ed Annie's brow She was engaged in the
high grade intellectual labor of classical
ton and comparison.
you don't need any costumes to wear
when you wash Clothes" she said at last
land you don't have any manager"
Miss Colbert looked at her steadily
with a broadening smile.
GLOW mich do Won paad he eoi5 VOW,
kindly, and then. handing Annie a five
dollar bill, ''Will that help you out?"
The tears came into Annies eyes.
Il said to myself that If you was home
I'd be all right" said she somewhat ir-
relevantly
well, if you'd come yesterday" re-
piled Miss Colbert. you'd have found me
as poor as yourself l came mighty near
pawning my one poor little diamond, the
only one I ever had"
She turned a pretty ring backward and
forward upon the third finger of her left
hand.
That's my engagement ring, Annie"
said she, land the dear boy who gave it to
me is many miles away. But never mind,
he's coming soon. and I wouldn't want
him to find his ring in pawn"
THE only one you ever owned" said
Annie in a hushed and solemn tone.
beautiful ones in that plate? Amt they
yours?"
They're as CLASSY as the plate" re-
piled Miss Colbert II guess they were
made in the same factory. That's stage
jewelry, Annie. Some of it is pretty good
of it's kind, and I've just been cleaning it
up, so that it shines right smart, but the
whole lot isn't worth as much as my lit
tie ring"
"'Tain't real!' said Annie under her
breath. BLESSED mother, think of it!
faint real!"
She picked up the loose stone with which
she dimly perceived that she had tested
both herself and the man who might have
wrecked her life.
you've always been good to me-" she
said, IAN I'm after tafin' your money to-
day when l amt got any right to it, You
must think queer O. me- an you'll think
rueerer if l ask you to give me this
"That?" exclaimed Marcia. "Why, it
Isn't worth cents What could you do
with that? You can't wear it,"
Annie was very red. She stood there
upon her awkward legs. with her thin
shoulders working UP, and down nervous
ly.
81 dunno" said she family. 81 just
want it, that's all. l think there's luck
IN It,"
"Of course you can have it," Marcia
said, land / hope it will bring you luck.
The love of good man is the best luck
there is, Annie. I hope you'll have that"
"An' the love of a bad mans the worst"
said Annie, tying up the bit of glass in her
handkerchief. May Providence preserve
all women from that"
Amen" said Marcia