Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-16
The Story Of Woman Who Wac Powerless to Steal
And Of Man Who In Spite Of Himself Was Made SoE

I'm no such liar as that" said he,
with unconscious humor.
1t was passing through his mind that
the game was up, that Armies explana-
ton was the only way of discretion and
that he was lucky to be alive He strug-
gled to his feet and began to brush his
clothes At this moment Annie heard a
voice behind 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, a vision Of loneliness in the
eyes of poor Annie.
II hadn't ought to have come in here"
said the girl, "but knocked, an I
thought heard your voice. An after l
got in waited Observation-Disclosures
We'll I'm mighty glad you did," said
Miss Colbert. i've some clothes for you
about dray load, should judge.
don't know how you'll carry them"
She removed gold chain from around
her neck. 1t had supported little bag
which was so full of money that 1t burst
open when 1t was dropped upon the table.
Beholding the display of green notes, An
ME passed into species of trance which
was so long continued that It attracted
Miss Colbert's attention.
1--WE just drawn some money for
clothes" said she. Had to have it, An
ME. I've got to buy costumes in ter
rible hurry, and hadn't cent. So what
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 classifi-
cation and comparison.
You don't need any costumes to wear
when you wash clothes.'' she said at last.
''and you don't have any manager"
Miss Colbert looked at her steadily,
with a broadening SMILE
How much do you need?" she said
very kindly, and then, handing Annie q
five dollar bill, Twill that help you out?"
The tears came into Annie.s eyes.
II said to myself that II 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. came mighty near
pawning my one poor little diamond the
only one 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 1t
to me is many miles away. But never
mind, he's coming soon, and wouldn't
want him to find his ring in pawn
THE only one you ever owned" said
Annie in hushed and solemn tone.
"How about them? How about all them
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 1t is pretty good
of it's kind, and I've just been cleaning 1t
up, SO that it shines right smart, but the
whole lot isn't worth as much as my
little ring"
faint real" said Annie under hef
breath. blessed mother. think Of it!
"rain't 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, "an' I'm after takin' your money
today when / amt got any right to 1t.
You must think queer o. me. an you'll
think queerT If l ask you to give me
this"
."rhatY exclaimed Marcia. "Why, 1t
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.
II dunno" said she family. IT just
want it, that's all. l think there's luck
in it,
"Of course you can have it,. Marcia
said, land l hope 1t will bring you luck.
The love of good man is the best luck
there is, Annie 1 hope you'll have that"
AN the love of bad mans the
worst said Annie. tying up the bit OF
glass in her handkerchief. May Pr0vi.
dencc preserve all women from that.
Amen" said Marcia.