The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-15


was the only way of discretion and that
he was lucky to he alive. He struggled
to his feet and began to brush his clothes.
At this moment Annie heard 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 tho
doorway. vision of loneliness in the eyes
Of poor Annie
81 hadn't ought TO have come in here"
said the girl but l knocked an
thought heard your voice. An after
got In l waited because-becauso"-
well. I'm mighty glad you did" said
Miss Colbert. "Tve some clothes for you
about a dray load, / should Judge. /
don't know how you'll carry them"
| She removed n gold chain from around
her neck. II had supported n little bag
which was no full of money that It burst
open when It was dropped upon the table
Beholdlng the display of green notes. An
ME passed into a species OF trance, which
was 80 long continued that II attracted
Miss ColbertB attention,
'Ive just drawn some money for
clothes" said she. Had to have II. An
ME. I've got to buy costumes In IL ter
rible hurry, and hadn't II cent. So what
could the poor manager do?"
Intensity Of thought wrinkled and twist
cd Annic'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.
"and you don't have any manager"
Miss Colbert looked at her steadily,
with broadening smile.
How much do you nced?" she said very
kindly, and then, handing Annie n five
dollar bill. "Will that help you out7"
The tears came into Annic's eyes.
81 said to myself that II you was home
I'd be all right" said she somewhat ir-
rclevantly.
"Well, II you'd come yesterday" re-
piled Miss Colbert you'd have found me
as poor as yourself. | came mighty near
pawnlng my one poor little diamond. the
only one / ever had"
She turned 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 gavC It To
me Is many miles away. But never mind
he's coming soon, and / wouldn't want
him to ind his ring In pawn"
"The only one you ever owned" said
Annie In hushed ana solemn tone
"IIOw 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, ~ guess they were
made In the same factory. That's stage
Jcwclry, Annie. Some of It Is pretty good
of it's kind and I've Just been cleaning II
up, 80 that It shines right smart, but tho
whole lot isn't worth as much as my lit
tie ring"
"'Tain't reall" said Annie under heI
breath. blessed mother, think of It
'TaIn'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. IAN I'm after talsin' your money to
day when l amt got any right to It. Yol
must think queer o. me, an you'll thinl
quoerer If / ask you to give me this"
"That?" exclaimed Marcia, why, 1
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 thil
shoulders working up and down nervous
ly.
~ dunno" said sho family. IT jus
want It, that's all / think there's lucl
In It,"
"Of course you can have It," Marci,
said, land 1 hope It will bring you luck
The love OF good man 10 tho best lucl
there is, Annie. hope you'll have that
"An tho love OF bad mans the worst,
said Annie, tying up the bit of glass In hel
handkerchief. May Providence preserve
all women from that"
"Amen." said Marcia