Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-05-27

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Billy, believe that all will come
right"
Tell me about It, Mildred. You
can trust me, can't your"
"Oh, yes. Billy, and can trust
mother and father; but how can ex-
pect them to believe II in the face OF
the evidence against me. which seems
so clearY'
Well. tell me. all the same" said
the boy; land II you wish I won't
say a word"
II will tell you how got my half
sovereign first Of ALL" said Mildred
When l was staying with granny
years ago, she said was to try and
read the FIRST chapter OF Ct Johns
Gospel by the time 1 was five wears
old. l stayed with her nearly a whole
year at that time, and the day I was
five years old went to her ana read
1t TO her. was very proud, Billy. for
though l stumbled a good deal. l man.
aged to get through it SO well that
she praised me, and later in the dav
granny gave me q new half sovereign
which she said 1 was to keen and
some day put In the bank l had a
little purse given me, too, a work-box
with a secret drawer. and other pres
ents. So l put the half sovereign In
the purse and put the purse in the
secret drawer in my workbox.
1T was a bonny half sovereign
bright and new. 1t had Queen Vic.
roria's face on It, and so 1 didn't like
to part with it.
Il didn't return home for nearly a
Jear-not till after grannys death:
for she said l was a useful little help
and mother agreed that 1 should stay
on with her. And when came back
] forgot about my half sovereign for a
long time. and then l thought It would
be good secret to keep and that
some day I would put it in the bank.
But last week / heard dear mother
saying that her feet got SO chilly in
the early morning, and another time
she said that my hat was really too
shabby to go to the Red House, and
that she must get me a new one when
she had the money to spend.
Then, Billy. l remembered the half
sovereign, and thought that granny
would be pleased II her gift were
spent so usefully. So l bought the
SHOES and the hat on Monday, which
was my evening out. But how am 1
to tell this story now, Billy?-for 1
never told anyone about the half SOW
ereisn till this very moment"
The boy did not answer for some
time. Then he said slowly: --
1t will come right, Mildred"
Yes. know" Mildred agreed, but
how?"
Il want you to come with me to the
Red House"
ITO the Red House, Billy" gasped
Mildred But why?"
Trust me-" said Billy.
They set of together for the Red
House, Mildred's heart full of wonder,
Billy with a happy smile on his face
as he hobbled along at her side. You
would have said that a happier look
ing face could not be seen in a days
march, and this although Billy was a
cripple with one leg much shorter than
the other and q hump on his back
nearly as big as the burden on Chris
uan's shoulders as he left the City of
Destruction. But evidently Billy had
forgotten the hump this afternoon.
You can't see Mrs. Wallace" said
Ellen, pertly; she is engaged"
We must see her. please" said
Billy firmly; ut is very important"
Important indeed. Billy" said FL
len, with a scornful smile; and, pray,
what may your important business be
about, and what is Mildred doing with
your"
There was an underourrent of dis
comfort as well as anger In her voice.
I'VE must see Mrs. Wallace" said
the boy, IF we've got to stay here all
the evening. We can't go without see
ing her"
"Oh. indeed" said Ellen. We'll,
Mrs. Wallace happens to be out and
won't be back till late tonight, so
you'd just better march, both OF you;
and don't be too ready to 60 about
with dishonest girl like Mildred Lis
ter" and Ellen raised her voice
angrily.
What is that you are saying?"
asked Mrs. Wallace, who Just then
came into the hall where the three
were standing.
Ellen had no word in reply, but
Billy's pleading voice said:
"Oh, Mrs. Wallace, will you please
let me and Mildred talk to you for
Just few minutss?" And there was
no resisting the appeal in the Grip
pies voice.
When they reached the dining room,
Mrs. Wallace said kindly: well, Billy,
what is It? Why have you and Mil
dred come to see mef''
Tell Mre. Wallace Just what you
told me this morning" said the boy.
After Mildred had told her story,
Billy said: Now may / finish the
story, pleasef"
Certainly" said Mrs. Wallace,
wondering what was to follow.