The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-21

across the table, so that his wife must
see it. She reached out hand, but
did not look at it.
What is it, John?" she said. Her
hand tarried, her face went still more
weary and gray, became even of an
asher pallor than was it's wont.
"It's trife, Laura said John
Rawn. Look at it. There's bonds
and gilt-edge dividend-payers for just
exactly one million dollars!"
"One million dollars, John! What do
YOU mean?"
Look at it, see for yourself"
"But, John-wl1at does it mean?"
at means a great deal, Mrs. Rawn,
great deal for you. 1t took some
work to make it on my part. There are
not ten men in this town today who
could draw out of their business clean,
unhypothecated securities for mil
lion dollars. I've seen to it that all
these are registered in your name.
It's my gift to you, without reserva-
ton"
John, how can I thank you-but I
don't want it. I've not earned it, |
wouldn't know what to do with it.
You're always $3.50 kind, John, with
me. But I can't take it! It's not
mine!"
ct is yours, Laura. And you've got
to take it,"
'But l don't want to!'
81 want no foolishness," he said
sternly. "That money is yours. You
can use it as you like. Of course, l
will counsel with you as to reinvest-
ment the best I can. I don't want to
see the interest wasted.
'I don't ever want to see you in
need" he went on. II don't counsel
loose investments. My lawyers will
also tell you what to do with your
money, and they'll put up to you list
Of good, safe, savings-bank invest
ments, the kind that fools and sailors
ought to have. I'll help you choose, If
you like. l don't want to be ungener-
Gus. This is your estate
my estate!-But, John, I'm your
wife! I don't care for this money. I
don't understand it. and I don't want
it. / want to be yo-c wife, John, the
way I always was-I want to help
I want to be useful 10 you all the time,
as I've always tried to be-"
|sPrecisely, Laura, and I appreciate
that feeling very much. l feel the
same way. l want to be as useful as
I can to you. We have always been
loyal to each other, faithful with each
other: know that There are not ten
men worth my money in this town to-
day who can say what I can-tlfat
they've been faithful to their wives as
I have been to mine You've been a
good woman, and you've worked hard.
You say you haven't earned this
money, but I think you have. We've
been useful, yes, to each other. But
when we can't be any more, Laura,
why then"
The tears burst from her eyes now.
He trowneu. ,nat she should interrupt
AIM, but went on.
"It shall never be said that was
unkind to you, Laura. Indeed, shall
always feel kindly to you-always re-
member what you have done.
"Eut you don't, you don't, john"
81 don't? What do you mean by
that, Laura? Isn't there the proof?
Isn't there million dollars lying right
in front of you on that table? And
you say this to me, who has just CIV
en- you cold million!"
That's it, it's a cold million, John, y
said she bitterly. 'It's cold!'
Good God! The unreasonableness
Of woman!" said John Rawn, upturn-
ing his eyes. "Now I've thought all
this out as carefully as man can
I've denied myself, to take this much
capital out of my investments and set
it aside for you. I can make five mil
lions out Of that money in the next
five years. But no, reserve it, and
rive it to you for your estate, so that
YOU shall never know want-more
money than you ever had a right to
dream of having. You do that for a
woman, and what does she say? Why,
she doesn't want It! Good God!
John" she said struggling for her
self-control, you might at least tell
the truth.
What DO you mean-the TRUTH"
Its some other woman, of course!'
q swear to you. Laura, it's nothing
of the sort. I've been guilty of no act
with anyone But she shook her
head
Don't l know" she said. Its al
ways another woman. She's young
woman, whoever she is. Why don't
you come out and tell me the TRUTH
John? How long before you're gong
to be married." The tears were we'll
ing steadily from her eyes, under the
last of the many and bitter torments
which are so often a woman's lot.
q say to you again, Laura, there are
no plans of that sort in my mind!
'Then how long will it be before
49,. Che GOULD moi saw the