Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-07-11

of all. Wont he be delighted when It
arrives?' h thought rapturously. az
she entered the shop. IN ask them
not to deliver it until the 9th. and then
1t will be a real birthday present. And
he doesn't know I've saved anything. I
want to look at some pianos she said
to the shopman.
"Yes'm. Thirty. forty. fifty a hundred
guineas?"
"N-no, about twenty pounds.
please"
1t was 2:so before Jack arrived hom..
Nora and the child had their dinner.
and then walked down to the station
to meet him.
The train had just come in. n the
people were crowding out of the mar
row gates. Nora waited In her usual
place on the other side Of the road. for
It was understood from the first that
Jack. on leaving the station. was to
glance across toward a certain shop in
front OF which Nora always stood when
n came to meet him.
But today he hurried away without
even n glance toward his wife and lit
to detain him for a minute. but he
nodded CURLY. n almost ran down
Barton road.
Jack Haywood seems upset. said
someone who stood close to Nora. He's
been looking rather bothered for a few
days past"
Nora waited for no more. but set Off
at the highest speed that little Chirps
could muster. When they reached the
house she let herself In with the latch
Key. Jack did not seem to nave heard
them, for he sat beside the table with
his head buried in his hands.
oh. you poor. poor jack" she cried,
ana ran toward him: then stopped sud-
denly. frightened by his haggard ex-
preston.
E1nthA r~,.
1t is upon you that the blow will fall
worst"
Well. 1 am quite satisfied" she an
swered bravely. Now tell me all
about it."
Rat-a-tat. Nora looked impatiently
and III get rid Of them as soon as
You're not WE'LL"
must go" he hoarsely.
IN tell you everything in q NOM
The arrival was ushered into the
front room. Jack spoke to him for a
few minutes and then returned to Nora.
She met him. at the door with one finger
held out warningly.
Now. remember" she said with a
sternnes that only intensified the
quivering of her lips, you've got to
tell me all about It. everything: but
If you dare to apol6gize for the slight
est little tit or jottle-or Jt OF todd1e..
She added hurriedly, for / am not sure
which is correct; or If you dare to say
That you are to blame in any possible
way, l won't believe you. so mind"
And she plunged herself down upon a
footstool, with her head against his
knee.
Its soon explained" he said sadly.
Business was quiet and someone Of
Tered me an agency which seemed to
promise well. n is actually doing
well, though slowly. They required
a deposit of fifty pounds. and as you
sum-here is all we have, about seven
pounds-so | went to a firm of
money lenders and gave them a
Dill or sale on the furniture, expiring
today.
THE agreement gives him the right
to seize our furniture-the very chairs
and tables-whether l nave paid the in
terest or not. He say he wants his
principal today. or at any rate, hall
today and the rest in three months"
Nora rose to her feet with her ewes
almost on fire. so brightly did they
shine. and yet In every other way she
was as calm as possible.
nihen 1 suppose we must pay the
fellow a half" she said carelessly, and
put her hand in her pocket for her
purse, while Jack, who had also risen
from his chair. looked at her In alnaze-
ment.
But the next moment she uttered a
scream of terror. All her pretended
vanished like a puff of smoke.
on. my purse. My PURSE" she cried
~piteously. I've lost it. Jack,''
'MIvver cries" said little Chirns
gravely.
Jack looked round suddenly There
sat his daughter beneath the table With
an open purse on her lap and AN abso-
lnte crowd of sovereigns in rows upon
the carpet.
There's the money!" cried Nora. who
naI turned round at the same time.
she must have taken my purse from
my pocket or from the la BILE. was
going to buy you a piano to practice
Your songs on, but they were rather ex-
pensive, so l left it until nearer you,.
birthday. But I'll never save out OF
~ousekeepi again without telling
YOU. ~
ON the other hand said Jack. .if
had told you at once what the trouble
was we might have saved u lot of
the"
No. dads" said Chirps emn But
1t must be explained that as the young
iady could not say yes" she said no"
IN either case. leaving it to her audi
ence to apply her word in the best nos
sib!e nne
Jack lifted her suddenly to his
shoulder. Come along" he said to
Nora. and Wen pay the fellow a half
as you suggested"