Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1910-10-14

tie folded paper she had dropped. II
was late twilight and her eyes were
dim. Besides. she was afraid to go
home-Liz, her daughter-in-law. was
none too gentle.
Il thought was holdin II tight
she said aloud. childishly. but when
got to the store. It was gone. Whatn
| do?"
A step behind her made her step
aside-whoever II was would want to
pass. But old man Best did not pass.
He stopped to peer kindly into the
wrinkled face--this was the widow OF
his dead comrade
Did you lose something. Mary7
Aain't II pretty raw for you to be out
with your rheumatizY He stopped
and leaned on his cane. a blum, brisk,
kindly man a few years her senior.
lie lived few houses farther along
on the humble street; he owned his
neat sailor-like home. and was ac-
counted rich because of his small
pension, and because he paid no rent
that burden of the poor
He had seen little of Mary Simpson
since she went to live with her son,
John. Liz-John's wife--was slattern-
ly and the children noisy. which the
old man could not endure. He seldom
went there; but now he saw trouble,
thing that called for help.
did you. p'raps. find paper?
Grandma Simpson asked. tremblingly.
Liz sent me to the store with Johns
pay-check for the week-she was
afraid to trust the children-and.
somehow lost IT, | dassent go
home without It, William. | thought
| was a-holding 1t tight. but it's gone.
We'll, amt that too bad?And in
this March wind, It must have blown
off. It's too wet to hunt for it--and
too dark! III tell you what you do
you go home: and I'll turn out and
hunt for II at first light for you. You
tell 'em ! will and it'll be all right
She shook her head, and he saw on
her cheek the bitter. scanty tears OF
the old He knew what ge and lone
Illness were, and tried to comfort her.
You'll get your death o cold out
mere, and p'rRaps it'll be found and
returned In the mornin'-folks is hon
est about here"
1T won't be found" she answered
gloomily, IAN Id rather die n hear
what Liz'll say John amt home an
she's tired an cross. She's got too
much to do an I'm burden even
without losin' money for EN-. An II
does seem. though | hate complainin' .
as II | never could stand her slack
houseeepin' an the children's noise.
An there amt corner | can call
my own anywhere. Couldn't you go
back with me an tell them 1t might
have happened to anyone?'
The old man turned Immediately.
"Of course III go! No-walt You
come on to my house and I'll stir up
the fire and you can stay there and
make some tea for yourself. and I'll
go along and tell them Would that
be easier? | know how II Is TO be-
blamed for losin' things! I'll tell them
found you huntin' for It and you
had one o. them spells with your
head and ! took you to my house
And when John gets home from town
he can come dlleI you.
Grandma Simpson, Frightening at
thought of temporary freedom, fol
lowed him without a word He led her
into the trim, three-roomed house with
the garden behind, where he had flow
ers In summer lie lit bright. kero
sene lamp, stirred up the fire In the
kitchen stove and put on the kettle
to- uyhfIa f. ~
gone What did LIZ want from the
store? You can tell me and I'll get
II and take Il to her. Say Mary
why not? Yes; let me make it good
It's fifteen dollars, amt II? / cans
well as not" He stopped a new
thought In his head His heart was
sore All year, he had been saving &c
visit his daughter in Denver; and JUS
today she had written him that hel
husbands people had come and coulC
he wait tn next summer for his visit
The letter was kind, but II hurt he
would use some OF the money to heir
Mary out
They needn't TO know about the
check at all. unless it's found DayiC
would have done as much for me-, h'
said Of her dead husband we wal
always friends. What did Liz want?'
Unbelieving JOY lit the old womani
face. Tidy and trim as a girl in he
clean gray calico she took on he
shawl and warmed her hands at thu
FIRE.
You're a good man, William! Sh'
wanted some sugar and potatoes, ant
, bacon-and two loayes OF bread.
can bake lovely bread, but she won
let me!-my children never ate ba
kers trade! I'll get your suppe
while you're gone"
The old man departed. and grand