Evening star., 1907-07-28

the way home from the store; but told him I'd go
dinner first. But it all right; you needn't be
afraid he'll
Mrs Bullsmith sank down into chair and told
her husband the truth From her bosom she took
carefully cherished clippings which showed that the
stock had already gone nearly to par, that it had
been listed on the stock exchanges, and was paying
five per cent. dividends
Bulsniths S eyes had bulged and his lower jaw
dropped at the first announcement. Presently he
grinning and chuckling deep in his throat, with
a harsh indrawing of the breath. Then, as the
to expand visiby in the tremendous effort to con-
tain it all
Il was afraid to tell YOU" the woman faltered,
until after had found the certifcate but it isn't
too late now"
A spasm of rage distorted Bullsrniths face at the
though of how nearly this great fortune had escaped
him He sprang up, beside himself and shook his
gnarled little fist in his wife's face. You're fool!'
he cried shry. Why didn't you tell me before?
Great Heavens! What you trying to do?
You've almost stolen two hundred thousand dol
lars from me! You re "a"
Mrs Bullsnith lay back in her chair, unhearing,
while her husband rushed of the house and down
the path putting each foot down hard to make sure
that the earth was still solid. But at the gate he
stopped suddenly and then ran quickly back to the
front door.
Mary" he cried as she looked feebly up from her
chair, we've got to find that certificate now Why
had it we'd be drawing ten thousand dollars
year. Do you hear? Ten thousand dollars year."
Mrs Bullsmith reused herself, and the two spent
the whole afternoon searching again through every
back and secret hiding place for the missing
paper. They were sitting together after supper,
both too nearly exhausted for further quarrelng,
when young Williams and his attorney, Judge Har-
ris knocked and came in.
We'll, Tom the lawyer began, Z" Fred wants to
get back to Chicago tonight; SO we've brought up
that little paper for you to sign
And I've brought the money right with me"
young Williams broke in, pulling out fat roll of
bills.
Il amt gon to sign anything" the little jeweler
answered with quick cunning. Il don't like putting
my name to papers after the experience We had.
Mary and | have spent the whole afternoon hunt
ing for that certificate; but we cant to find
it, and /"
This little release amounts to the thing"
the attorney interrupted suavely. 1t is perfectly
simple Here let read it to you.
No" Bullsnith answered, Il won't sign moth
ing Wait till we find that paper. Thenn be time
enough to talk"
Too shrewd to press their point unduly, the attor-
ney and his client went out presently, and the
door closed after them Bulsrnth chucked.
Wants to wipe out the stain his pas men,
ory he does" he said
Next morning the possession of SO much potential
wealth had begun to haye SOLDERING effect
Thomas Bulsmth He dressed carefully and went
down to the office of Hiram Smith the County
we'll thrown back Anxiously he laid the before
that functlonary, and was immensely relieved by
the quick
Any court of equity will order the issuance of
a duplicate certificate assigned to you, the lawyer
said. " 1t lucky chance for you when you got
hold of that stock; wasn't it, Tom?'
Not at ALL said little Bullsnith pompousy
Il thought it was very promising from the start.
That's the reason picked it out
The day the duplicate certificate got back from
Chicago, Mrs Bullsmith, fevershly anxious to keep
busy about something started her regular spring
house cleaning. With that careful scrutiny which