El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-10-06

NJ stale IN the village OF Ned
ford, there always was one
as pereunially fresh In interest as the
holIyhoclzs and golden glow in the
pTim garden plots. This was the story
sr the hands of her sisterinlaw, Viola
Dallett, the richest stingiest, most un-
popular woman IN the village.
When Fred died, everybody tnougtJ
he would provide FOR his sisters. But
there was no viii found, though folks
ssy that was no sign there wasn't one,
and Viola came into the whole thing.
Nary Garvey sat by her sisters bed
side, waiting for the confidence Wnicn
the sick woman was gathering ner
strength to make. She knew that Lydia
Homes annuity died with her, and that
she herself would be that most piti1u4
Of all things, an old woman gently
reared, left peunilsss. She could see
the hypocridcal sTnirk with which
Viola Dallett would offer her home,
she would visualize the petty humilia
ton and torture which would be her
portion should she accept. She set her
Lips and whispered to herself, mo, the
poQrhouse, a million times" Then the
Dotgnancy Of her grief for her sister
oPuterated all thought Of her own
plight
i've done a shameful thing. Mary"
me SICK woman opened her eyes a 8 she
reepated the words. but 7 am not
sorry. When DR.. Fawcett told me I
could live but q few months longer. I
borrowed money right and left giving
my notes Tor year I've always had
good credit you know, and was care
Iul TO borrow only OF people who knew
my brotherm1nlaw and knew he was
out Of the country. I've banked IL all
~ your name in another bank than
the one through which my annuity
comes. Then Fve put with II all I've
managed to save in the years we've
%
come due until after am gone, and
then they viii go to George for pay
ment. be is amply able to stand losing
the money and he never viii suspect
you He always did disapprOve Of ne,
thought was foolish and eXtravagant
any"
There was in the tone Of the dying
y oman q lingering remnant Of the de-
Liclous olablerie that had been her chief
charm all through her life.
Inc bank book IS IN the little lock
93oS OF mine" she went on Thank
Goa, there's enough there to let YOU
stay on here with Sophie in comfort for
the rest OF your life"
"Ohi Lydia, LydiaI" Mary Garvey's
voice rose in agOuized, Mortified pro
tesa Then she checked herself. She
knew the subbornness, the Obstinacy
concealed Under the soft childish man
ner OF her sister, and she knew that
snouid she protest, Lydia would exact
the money. Better let her die imagin-
ing that her plan had succeeded.
Little sister. she whispered as she
pent over the bed You always have
money. Do you think I'll care much
Where i live or what becomes Of me II
you go away from me?r
Inc SICK woman put up her hand to
1er sisters face. 1T won't be LONG.
dear. at the most" she said Then We
both viii have solved the mystery. and
perhaps somewhere they viii let rs be
IoSeIner again kiss me, Mary. and
to go TO sleep"
She never spoke aagin. When the
simple funeral service was over and
Lydia Horne had been laid away TO
view with Henry Horne, the son of the
trust magnate. who represented his alb I
sent father at the service.
trembling with shame at the reveIa-
lions she must make she told him the
story OF her sisters act. and Dut into
ms hands the bank book
Please take 1t away" she said y
never want TO see II again. Whatever J
you want me to do, sign checks or
whatever has to be done to return the /
money, Just tell me. am sorry I I
cannot do anything about the interest Z
mere must be on the notes, except to !
1-ydia's last monthly payment after an I
the bills have been paid
She extended to him single ten dol
lar Dill, Henry Horne looked at her I.
means?q' he asked.
80, have none" she answered simply, /
but i shall get along all right"
He waved back the money fT will I
see to the interest" he said. "and Won
speak Of expenses. Ny father expects !
TO pay these Of course. But the DeoDls I
VINO nold these notes must be paid Ny /
IA ther comes home this week and shall I
take the matter IN with him o.
Mary Garvey drew a long breath Of I
relleI as ne walked away. His manner
nad been curt, with the air Of pre-
occupation that some men Of affairs ]
wear as constantly as they DO their
shirts. But the return Of the money.
and the assumption Of the expenses had /
given ner respite, a breathing spell. /
Maybe i can get some sewing to do.
or even homework, anything to get /
along for little while" she said hope
fully to herself
Viola Dallett waited patiently after
the mineral Tor Nary Carney to come !
and ask for the home her fathers will I
had promised her. The mean. cruel /
nature Of the woman fed fat by years
q brooding over the humiliation which
jim Garyey had given her when ne
married Mary, was anLiously awaiting
the opportunity TO pay back to the
helpless old woman what she never I
before had been able to mete out TO
She waited two weeks, then she went
to the. little house threshold she never
crossed before.
Mary Garvey. received her standing.
stately erect, her head held high.
May / ask to what I owe this hon I
or, Mrs. Dallett?" Her tone held All /
the hapteur Of the old colonel hirseif
Yiola Dallett smiled, the artfficfal
grlmace that was known ali over
as Wiley Dalletts grin" r.
was her pose known in Medford. never
to appear ruffled her boast that She I
never lost her temper.
think you ought to hold hard feeIfnrs
IN your condition. I am not to blame I
because father DaIIett left everything
TO Fred. want you to pack uD your
things and come right ove@ to the
mouse. 1 know you must be starving I
to death here, too proud to tell me I
when there's plenty to eat over there. I
m sorry can't give you q better room. 4
but have to keep the spare rooms for
company. so I know you won't mind /
that little one in the attic"
Mary smiled TO herself at the mental
picture OF the cold bare attic room /
Then she crossed the table and picked
lp a letter.
I'm sorry, but I must decline the
attic room"