The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-11
BY MARTHA MCUIdOCH WILL
LIAMS

LIAAfS.
Copyright, 1911. by Associated
Literary Press.)
There never was nicer lad than
Phil" Mira. Ellis said. signing. Il,
is hsart-breaking to hear OF him turn
ing out this way
Nobody can make me believe he
took that money!" MArgery Clare.
Mrs Elliss ward. aaid firmly.
Again the elder woman sighed. Il
have to believe. mach as hate to-,
she said, Somebody certainly did
get that thousand dollars--and he
was about the only one who had the
chance"
THAT is more than anybody
Knows Marger- answered with
spirit. Jim Franklin admits that
he went to sleep with open windows
and only the outer doors shut. Neither
he nor Phil heard a sound all night
but that doesn't prove burglar
didn't get In and steal that thousand
dollar bill"
Jim thought of that first off-bu,
| there wasn't sign Of such thing
Oh. / tell you he was the worst cut
up--satd he'd rather have lost the
money ten times over. iii az he could
spare it. than have to believe such
a thing of Phil And you know h.
won't go to law, in spite Of what hi.
uncle tells him
1T would ba better-and Drawer.
MarGery broke in, her eyes snapping
Phil could fight in open court--now
nobody accuses him directly but
everybody except me thinks he stole
the money, and he has no chance to
prove he didn't
Jim says he'll be punished enough
IL he did, take it--losing is job and
IL friends and--maybs YOU" Mrs
Ellis said the last word in,errog alive
ly.
Margery's head went up. 'If he
loses me 1t will be his own fault "
she said, TN marry him tomorrow
III only he'll ask mo-"
"Marsery! Uarling." a shaken voice
cried from the hall.
Phil Ames had come in noiselessly
TO say good-by, Just In time to hear
his sweetheart's avowal. She rushed
/ into his open arms and hid her face
on his breast. sobbing out:
Phil. Dearest. Take mo! Let VI
60 away from all this-together."
Are you brave enough to stay and
face it-with me?" Phil asked
| huskiN. Il did mean to run away
It all seemed 50 hopeless. Now that
have you / can't do it. / must stay
here and prove myself worthy your
trust.
1T Is all one to me-" Margsry said.
clinging to him.
Mrs. Ellis hridled. II have bean a
mighty good friend to both of you. !"
she said But. really-this In too
much. Margary. az your guardian.
must forbid you to--to-oct So"
I'm nineteen; you can't forbid my
marrying Phil" Marrery cried.
Hor sweetheart led her toward the
door. In 1t he stopped, looked back
and said slowly: Aunt NAn--NrA
E1Ns, ! mean-&hank you truly. You
you want to save my darling from
herself. but love will save w both"
Then they went away to dad =
minister. Margery snatching down .
sun hat ~ she wsnt along the hall
1t was the simplest bridal-but none
other ever 20 stirred the village. It
was q thrifty place. rich and full OF
family pride also family traditions
Margary Glare embodied alike the
pride and the traditions Throwing
herself thus In the arms Of = thief.
almost q thief confessed. was =
shook. no less . Aine days wonder.
Margery knew II: Notwithstanding
sho was happy. she and PHI ct up
housekeeping very simply In . little
cottage. the humblest piece OF real
estate she owned. she had an income
sure but sufficient for ono
Phil showed quickly he did not
mean to stretch It into providing for
two. There was . good bit Of ground
attached to the cottaSe-he set to
work ON It manfully-inside Of six
months II was indeed q garden spot.
returning scant profits to be sure.
but promising great things in the
next growing season.
The money had been lost in August
--he had married Margery at tho
beginning Of September.
Thus he had only his cold frames
and . tiny greenhouse to depend ON.
When he had plots Of growing things
there would be another and better
story.