The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-01-01
"All you want, I reckon"
IT -o OF

"Shucks! Take your time. No hurry,
marin. I'm not needin' it and you're
good for yer orders"
almost fell down with surprise. Mr..
Ramsgate grinned amiably, counting
the eggs. Brother Lucas had van-
lshed. lie 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?" I
asked at last, a trife irritated. We
had let our servant go some time be-
fore and l was doing it all.
"To talk" said he. "Angeline, I'm
going tonight
so 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.
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 s~unshine.'
The mar actually grinned. | 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 I
gained slight knowledge of Lucas; of
his life during recent years, his occu-
patton Gf 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
son of the new vice-president. l know
of no opening"
Cheer up" said lucas.
l could have struck him.
Not surprisingly commented he.
why, l heard of the proposed sale out
west, months ago.. He that hath ears
/ have a great pair for gossip.
Brace up, Brother Wilton; its a long
lane that knows no turning"
| 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? II
So"
Quite likely" interrupted Brother
Lucas; that's the way they do"
Then it was that | left them. OF all
the cold blooded remarks! | prayed he
might go-quickly.
He did, right after Cfor Wilton and
me- an %untasted supper For him it
was a hearty meal with his usual chat
ter. Such absolute Indifference to
woe made me begin to hate the man.
was an enigma.
"Ill send after my trunk from the
he announced, preparing to go.
" Farewell! a long farewell to all my
Angelina, goodbye, M
dear"
His eyes were misty. Suddenly my
left me. After all l should miss
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
iy. Il have a return ticket, but I'll
need something for meals
| admired my husband. ooh! take
he smiled, and actually gave this
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 |
card ~receiver?' My glance naturally
From the bank" Wilton picked it
up. More trouble, l fear. l can't be |
again."
His frightened look gave place to a
wild glare of establishment as he gazed |
at the Enclosure.
ooh! what?" l shrieked.
Nothing" he answered DULY, like
one in sleep. "My account has been
credited with $4,000, that's all. De-
by Lucas Messenger, Esq"
Then he broke down, telling me to |
leave him.
1t was natural, perhaps, that l
should go straight to brothers room,
to the place he had been, had slept
heart was bursting.
A note on the pincushion caught my
eye in q second, weeping blindly as I
was.
For me! l caught my breath and
read: |
Dear Sister-I had hard work carrying |
out my little joke. / own a silver mine |