The Lamar register., 1916-05-10


romping with the dog On the lawn, as
straight and active as any Of them
Joel crept back to his prize COWS.
II was astonishing how many be
quests we're left TO Fouracres people
turing the next two years. 1t got so
int the newspapers began to notice
Il. There was old, halfparalyzed Mr..
Cooper. who had been afraid OF the
nourhouss himself. and his aged VIE
Thsy were left $1,000 too. by dis
tant relative in New YORK, OF whose
existence they had been ignorant. And
Mrs Patrick. the widow, who had such
4 task trying to make both ends meet
and was AFRAID she would have to
marry Old Man Green. She was left
$1,000 by cousin in Alabama, OF
whom she used to speak vaguely and
not anectiunately. She at once re-
jected Old Man Green. And he, to
mollify his disappointment, as it were,
received a legacy from a nephew In
ireland. who had died intestate, worth
81 900. and said he was glad now that
he could afford to get hOusekeeper,
instead OF having to think OF getting
married.
Then gifts began to flow in to the
Cripp.es' Home. and the Society for
the Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals.
and the Job Nimble Home for lncura-
bles. In short. after five years Joel
had only $4,000 OF his capital lett.
And Maudie was growing up and go
ing to college. And Dolly had mar
ried the finest man in the world.
lawyer. who often came over to Joel
to sit and chat OF an evening. and
ask disconcerting questions. Joel be
gan to be afraid that folks would find
out the truth. But presently the ques-
tons ceased. and the lawyer became
still more kind and friendly
How wonderful II was. at thirty. to
have done 80 much good to others. in
stead OF having spent ones money on
oneself Joel began to forget the
heartache that he felt whenever he
saw Maudie back from college, always
with the same kind word for Joel. He
had really had more out OF life than
he deserved. even though he was still
the butt OF the young folks.
But when Maudie came back for
good and went to live with Dolly and
her husband and their little boy. Joel
knew that nature was stronger than
he was. He was shyer than ever when
he called. and at last he gave up call
ing altogether. Only the lawyer. and
perhaps Maudie. understood. But
what could they do? II Joel had seen
himself as others began to see him
now. when sorrow had dignified him.
and self-forgetfulness had stamped IL
self on his Insignificant face.
But Joel only knew that he was des.
perately unhappy, and that he must
go away. He advertised his farm.
Then it was that the lawyer be
trayed the secret he had wormed out
Of the little man.
For one morning a strange deputa
ton approached Joels house. lie
came to the door and stared in amaze
ment at the neighbors-all Fouracres
that had come to do honor. no more
to the village butt. in pleasantly. but
10 the most popular man in town
Joel found himself hoisted, struggling
upon the neighbOTs' shoulders and car.
ried to the council hall And there
TO his amazement. the mayor himself
and all the council were assembled
Someone was making a speech, too
Joel caught yag-ely the words. our
next mayor Then. somehow, he had
broken from the cheering throng and
found himself outside. alone.
No. Somebody Maudie-was at
his side. looking into his face with
tear-dimmed. radiant eyes And she
was asking him II 1t was true he was
going away. II he would not stay.
At that moment Joel caught at his
destiny For he saw only the lit.
tie trapped bird. not the college WON.
an. and he took her by the hand
Il will stay II you tell me to-" be
said.
Stay. them whispered Maudie
shyly.
(CopyriRht 1916 nv w a Cbanrr.,N