Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-29

charlaine. They couldn't look after
themselves. Eliza Is 1000 miles away
and you couldn't manage them 1t was
my duty, Aunt Betsy"
you'll never get a thank you from
them for all you're doing for them
Il know that. But it doesn't mat
ter. The old have claim upon the
young I'm the only one to do for them.
they were they can't suffer. l couldn't
let them suffer, Aunt Betsy"
You're good girl" said the oid
woman. And there's more than ! VINO
think So" she added, significantly
Charlaine flushed family and turned
to do something at the stove. At that
instant there was a crash that seemed
to shake the house and something that
sounded like a cry.
"He's-fallenw Charlaine breathed.
Even before she reached the sitting
room and saw what had happened, she
knew. Zenas had climbed up to LOOK
into the little cupboard beside the
mantel and had fallen. He lay pros
trate, with the chair upon which he
had stood overturned beside him. Lecty
was staring at him in a weird trouble
of curiosity. She had not stirred from
her chair.
Charlaine gave one look at him and
fed to the telephone. Within an IN
slant a deep, pleasant voice was re-
spending to her frantic call. "Zenas has
fallen. you say? Miss Charlaine? III
be right up.
There was nothing to do but wait
for the doctor. The heavy old man
lay like log of oak. Charlaine crowd
ed pillow under his head and dubbed
his head with camphor, but he gave no
sign of life.
|. With Charlaine and Aunt Betsy's aid
the powerful young doctor got him
upon a bed mot n bone broken" he
said, .but--" He shook his head
will he ever come to-" demanded
Aunt Betsy.
You may be surprised" replied Dr.
Ross He put his hands on Charlaines
slender shoulders and looked tenderly
into her white, scared face. MY girl!
Can you stand this?" he asked.
She nodded: a surprised. joyful color
stained her cheeks.
The old woman studied them with
her shrewd eyes. Doctor" she said
eff you want a wife that will never
give you cause to complain take that
girl ] know what she is. I've seen
her every day for almost three years
doing a thankless task nobly, because
she thought 1t was her duty. I'd like
to see her happy, if she can be-"
The doctor patted Chariaines cheek
shes going to be happy" he said. I'm
going to make her so-if she'll trust
me VIII you. Charlaine?"
with my life" she whispered.
In the middle of the night zenas
upon the couch. Betsy" he said.
Aunt Betsy sat up suddenly. Hes
come to-" she calculated. She came to
the bed. What is it. Zenas? Do you
know me-" she asked.
Betsy" he said. II cheated you.
Fathers last will the one he made
after he got over being mad at you and
Ezra-little tin trunk under the rafters.
l forget where He began to ram
BILE again.
My Lord. That sounds reasonable"
said Aunt Betsy. Hes gone again
Charlaine, you take light and look
If II should be true
1t was true, and the perfidy of half
century before came to light duly. Ze
mas had cleverly turned his father
against his brother and sister and then
induced the old man to make a will in
his favor. Afterward the old man had
changed his mind and turned against
Zenas. In a later will he had left the
whole property divided equally between
Aunt Betsy ard Charlaine's father.
There was the will to prove it.
Serves Eliza and Eiecta right" said
Aunt Betsy. ELIZA would have naught