The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-12-25
"Al you want, I reckon"

l almost Tell down with SURPRISE. MI.
Ramsgate grinned amiably, counting
the eggs. Brother Lucas had van
ished. He returned for breakfast;
Lucas was prompt at meals.
Little did l see of 'brother,' as we
called him for two days. "Strolled
about" was his explanation.
On the third day, brother hung
about the house, playing with little
Angie and following me around.
What do you want, brother?" l
asked at last, a tritle irritated. We
had let our servant go some time be-
fore and l was doing it all.
ITO talk" said he. "Angeline, I'm
going tonight
$50 soon?" 1t really grieved me.
I'm sorry
II know it," he said complacently.
We sat on the piazza in the shade Of
the clematis and talked.
wilt doesn't seem WELL" he began.
Hes tired My lip quivered.
Ought to take a rest. my dear"
glancing at the baby, asleep on his
massive arm.
He can't. It's difficult to make
both ends ever see each other, Lucas.
Life isn't all sunshine"
The man actually grinned. l felt q
quick revulsion. Under his kindly ex-
terror was he so utterly heartless?
"Why!' said he, queerly. Il never
notice the clouds"
We talked for a long time, but l
! gained slight knowledge of Lucas; of
his life during recent years, his occu-
patton Gf he had one). | fear l old
him all about my affairs. He extract
ed confidence as a sponge absorbs
water, silently, thoroughly.
Wilton came home at five o'clock,
his thin face white and drawn.
The company has sold out he
groaned. My position goes to the
son of the new vice-president. | know
of no opening"
Cheer up" said Lucas.
l could have struck him.
Not surprising,' commented he.
why, I heard of the proposed sale out
west, months ago. He that hath ears
- l have a great pair for gossip.
Brace up, Brother Wilton; tits a long
lane that knows no turning"
ran up stairs to cry, after my hus-
band had expressed another fear.
ITS the first of the month"; he
q%uavered. mot a bill has come in.
Can the tradesmen have heard of this
change? OF my disaster? Does it
mean those wretched accounts are 60
ing to the lawyers for collection? If
So"
Quite likely" interrupted Brother
Lucas; that's the way they do
Then it was that l left them. OF all
the cold blooded remarks! l prayed he
might go-quickly.
He did, right after (for Wilton and
mel al untasted supper. For him it
was a hearty meal with his usual chat
ter. Such absolute Indifference to our
woe made me begin to hate the a
He was an enigma.
"Ill SEND after my trunk from the
depot" he announced, preparing to &c.
Farewell! a long farewell to all my
greatness Angelina, goodbye, my
dear"
His eyes were misty. Suddenly my
anger left me. After all ! should miss
his big, breezy presence. | kissed him
heartily.
He wrung Wilton's hand. Then came
the last straw. Five dollars will see
me through, old boy he said careless
ly. Il have a return ticket, but III
need something for meals
admired my husband. "Oh! take
ten" he smiled, and actually gave this
robber his last ten-dollar bill.
Thanks" said Lucas, with a sort
of sob, and was gone.
NO mail to-night?" Wilton spoke
YEARLY.
Nothing but a circular. Brother
net the postman. What is that on the
card r%eceiver?' My glance naturally
turned to the usual receptacle for our
letters.
From the bank" Wilton picked it
up. More trouble. l fear. l can't be
overdrawn again."
His frightened look gave place to a
wild glare of establishment as he gazed
at the Enclosure.
ooh! WHAT" | shrieked.
Nothing" he answered DULY, like
n in sleep. my account has been
credited with $40, 900, that's all. De-
posted by Lucas Messenger, Esq"
Then he broke down, telling me to
leave him.
1t vas natural, perhaps, that I
should go straight to brothers room,
to the place he had been, had slept
my heart was bursting.
A note on the pincushion caught my
Sye in a second, weeping blindly as
was.
For me. l caught my breath and
read:
Dear Sister, had hard work carrying
out my little joke. I own a silver mine
in n. M. that is panning out the equiva-
lent of that trifle every six weeks. Long
may she pan, BY the way. l took the lib
erty of settling with your farmer, butch
er, etc. Said that Wilt had sent me, he
II L,., co fhnu will noynr Ev.Nn