The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-06-28


to see her mother that afternoon, and
the mother promised to do what she
could, for she liked Mr. Dom. Still
Mary would not listen to reason. She
said if she had money it might be dit
ferent, for then people could not say
she saved the man for his money. 1t
was really silly and foolish position
she had taken. but young women do
silly and foolish things more times
than few. Mr.. Doan thought there
might be younger man, but said
nothing.
One morning a week later Mary re-
ceived note asking her to call at Mr..
Doan's office. Greatly puzzled, she
went, and Mr. Doan and another man
were waiting for her. The other man
was Mr.. Doan's lawyer. Il
MARY" said Mr.. Doan, after the
usual salutations and an introduce
ton "can you give me dollar?'
Mary took out her thin little purse
els and dime, which she handed over
to Mr.. Doan without question.
I'D like to borrow nickel OF it for
car fare" she laughed nervously.
you won't need it. Miss Howard"
said the lawyer politely.
Here are some papers, Mary said
Mr.. DIAN. handing her large packet.
You won't understand them if you
look at them, so l will merely tell you
that they are deeds to all the real
property ! own and include the GER
tifcates of all the stocks in my pos
session. Indeed, everything is there
if you will look them over. They are
yours"
Mary, in dazed fashion, opened the
packet, and the only thing she could
read was: "Know All Men BY These
Presents, that for and in considera-
ton of one dollar in hand to me paid
etc, etc, and she didn't do thing but
drop the papers and begin to cry. The
lawyer discreetly got out of the Of
flee, and Mr. Doan stepped over to
the window. The room was still ex-
cept for Mary's faint snffle. and the
twittering of couple of sparrows on
the telegraph wire in front of the
window. The stiffness seemed to soothe
the perturl ed spirit, and presently she
lifted her face from her wet hand
kerchief and glanced shyly up at Mr.
Doan. He did not see her. She got up
and went over to him, sobbing little
yet.
"Mr. Doan," she said, putting out
her hand. only one hand, to him, sis it
true that you have given me every
thing?"
Everything in the world l own,
Mary, and l am poor as church
mouse"
But Mr.. Doan-" she protested
Not word" he broke in. 'If it
hadn't been for you would have lost
it all by leaving it to a lot of people
l don't like, and if you nave it know
it will be where it will do much good
Don't you worry, my dear. | am not
so old that / can't hustle around and
make pretty good living yet. l can
do it good deal better than you
can"
Mary looked at him and again the
tears filled her eyes.
"Mr. Doan." she said. "if l were to
tell you that there was younger
man / loved; one whom l had known
since l was a little girl and who had
been waiting until he could earn
enough to make us comfortable. would
you st-il let me have this money?
Aren't you giving it to me because you
do not know this and hope to win me
with it 2"
Mr.. Doan choked little. He had
not heard of this young man. Per-
haps if he had he would have been
less generous. He might have given
, him a position in his Office or helped
him along in some other way. 1t was
hardly necessary to impoverish him
self for the sake of letting the woman
he wanted for his wire marry another
man. But Mr.. Doan had the right
kind of stuff in his makeup.
II don't know what you want to do
with it, Mary, and I don't care" he
said bravely. "What l want it to do
is to make you the happiest woman
feel it is where it will do the most
good. All | ask is that when l am too
old to work any longer you will board
and lodge me, at a reduced rate and
give me fair funeral"
Mr.. Doan laughed at his joke. but
Mary did not. She put out both her
hands to him.
There is no younger man. Mr.
Doan," she said, land if you will have
me for your wife, you may
Mr.. Doan acted ridiculously for a
man Of bis years. He shouted and
made wild grab for Mary.
You bet L" he began, when she
broke away from him and warned
him Off"
ION one condition." she said
"Name a Dozen" ne replied with
crazy liberality.
"One is enough. and that one is
that you give me back my dollar"
He handed her over the money and
shouted TO the lawyer to come in.
Think of IT, he said to that gem
tleman, "she will marry me on the
simple condition that l give her back
the dollar she gave me-
AZ