Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1906-10-03

what the profits were, and she knew
who had a clutch on him. She even
interpreted the glances he cast around
the store, and when she saw him add
ing to the litter in the closet she could
have told him his purpose.
One windy, rainy night, when there
was excuse for shutting up early, and
when only thirty days remained be-
tween French and business ruin, he
made a pretext to be the last one out
and the candle was placed and lighted.
The young merchant went to his board
ing house and to his room, and all he
had to do was. wait.
The wind rose and the rain fell more
heavily, and he was @joiced at the
thought that none of the villagers
would be on the street in such a storm.
Between midnight and l o'clock the
flames would start. When the alarm
was given people could only turn out
and look on with folded arms. French
went to bed at the usual hour. He
left nothing to chance. He lay there
hour after hour thinking. scheming and
planning. 1t was close upon midnight
WHOM his other self came to the rescue.
| IT, two personalities debated and ar
gued and fought. The one self con-
tended and the other protested.
After a quarter of an hour the mer-
chant arose and hurriedly began to
dress. He was pale faced and trem-
bling and frightened. He felt himself
criminal and branded before the
world Bankruptcy might come he
might be forced to most mental employ
ment the widow Allen might triumph
and he might lose the one he had
| learned to love, but he would save the
store.
The wind was blowing a gale and
the rain coming in sheets when he
stepped from the door and ran through
the mud and storm to the store. Not
even dog was in sight. AS he ran he
prayed that he might not be too late
With shaking hands he inserted the key
in the door and pushed it open. There
was no smell Of smoke. Striking a
match, he made his way to the closet
The candle had been blown out hours
ago. 1t had not burned half an inch.
With 4 new fear at his heart the man
turned away and lighted a lamp and
leaned on the counter to think. He
heard the rustic of garments and light
footsteps, and Miss Warder came out
of the darkness and stood before him
and said:
'Mr French, blew the candle out
a long, long time ago"
'YOu-you found and blew it outr'
he gasped.
Eyes, and 1 have been waiting for
you to come"
Il was going to burn the store for
the Insurance." he said, after a long
silence.
"Yes."
ITO pay the notes due that woman
in thirty days and save myself from
bankruptcy"
81 know
But 1 couldn't do it. 1 thought
could-I meant to-but 1 came here tC
blow out the candle and save the store
am a ruined man, but 1 am not &
criminal except in intent"
Il knew you would come" said the
girl, with tears in her voice. ut i:
. hard to face ruin, but it is harder t
face conscience. Yesterday a lawyer
came to see mother. He told hel
she was one of the heirs to a large es
tate He brought papers for her t.
!. sign, and within a month she will have
: $4,000"
/ "Well?" queried French, as he wipet
his brow and looked around the store
! -thought-thought''-
, "You want to give me notice ant
y leave your place at the end Of tn
: week You will go, of course, but
q hope you will remember that 1 cam
O back to save the store. l wanted tn
insurance money, but my conscienc
n wouldn't let me be criminal"
4 II thought that if you wanted to TAX
q in partner
"But where can find one"
IF yOu-you wanted to take in
!. partner and pay up the notes and b
. clear of that woman mother woul
give me the money, and
He saw her to her home through ii
= storm and darkness, and he did NJ
l. realize that the wind blew or the raj
y fell or that he had to pick his step
He realized only that he held her haI
|. and that he had been saved from h
other self. His sign reads "Georl
> French" but there is a silent partn
y with him and behind him and dai
adding to his happiness.