The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-12-31
"All you want, I reckon"

"ShuckS! Take your time. NO hurry
marin. I'm not needin' it and you're
good for yer orders"
l almost fell down with surprise. MT
Ramsgate grinned amiably, counting
the eggs. Brother Lucas had van
ished. He returned for breakfast;
Lucas was prompt at meals.
Little did | 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 trifle irritated. We
had let our servant go some time be-
fore and | was doing it all.
ITO talk" said he. "Angeline, I'm
going tonight"
$50 soon?" 1t really grieved me.
I'm sorry"
Il know it," he said complacently.
We sat on the piazza in the shade OF
the clematis and talked. O..
wilt doesn't seem we'll" 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 even 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
gained slight knowledge of Lucas; OF
his life during recent years, his occu-
patton (f he had one). | fear | told
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
of no opening"
Cheer up" said Lucas.
I could have struck him.
Not surprising" commented he.
Why, l 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"
l ran up stairs to cry, after my hus-
band had expressed another fear.
It's the first of the month";" he
%quavered. Not a bill has come in.
Can the tradesmen have heard of this
change? OF my disaster? Does it
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 an 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 man.
He was an enigma.
I'll send after my trunk from the
depot" he announced, preparing to go.
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. l 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 I'll
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 tonight" Wilton spoke
YEARLY.
Nothing but a circular. Brother
met the postman. What is that on the
caro- receiver" My glance naturally
turned to the usual receptacle for our
letters.
rIOIu Tie Dduh. "llIOu plChSu IL
up. More trouble, / fear. l can't be
overdrawn again."
His frightened look gave place to a
wild glare of establishment as he gazed
at the Enclosure.
"Oh! what?" l shrieked.
Nothing" he answered DULY, like
one in sleep. my account has been
credited with $4,000, that's all. De-
posted by Lucas Messenger, Esq"
Then he broke down, telling me to
leave him.
1t was natural, perhaps, that
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
eye in a second, weeping blindly as
was.
For me! ! caught my breath and
read:
Dear Sister, had hard work carrying
out my little joke. / own a silver mine
in N. NJ, that is panning out the equiva-
lent of that trife 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
being busy, so they will never know.
Love to the baby. Take a vacation at
once. Pardon hasty scrawL
BROTHER LUCAS.
ID S-If 7 coma again next summer