Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-05-24


ed the chest more carefully. The
notes might have slipped, you know"
/ went over to the chest, found the
catches and threw up the lid.
She bent down. thrusting her little
hand into the hollow from which the
draw had risen.
/ heard her draw noisy. shudder-
ing breath. From the hole she drag
ged bundle-something wrapped in
yellow, dust-stained paper, tied with
piece Of rotten string. Oobwebs
and dirt fell in shower as she tore
away the covering. Then she threw
back her head with q cry Of delight
OF huge relief. laughing unsteadily
trembling violently.
God bless you, look You don't
know all you've done for me. feel
can breathe again. feel clean now
] felt dishonest. Now-now every
Things gloriousl How much is there,
Mr., Oakley"
Five hundred pounds" told her
ut was. Yes. you told me So" she
answered, and she seemed all on
wires. "It's-lt's splendid. I've been
longing to pay Mrs. Pelham for ages
! owe her rent, and she will buy
little extra things for me. was
thinking Of her mostly, which made
me-understand."
Then she told me the story l had
already heard from John King. Mrs
Pelham-forever dissolving into tears
came upstairs soon after. We sat-
all three rejoicing.
Il knew could trust him." she
declared. Il knew It by his face. A
good face-plain maybe. A face to be
trusted"
Jan said quite angrily: SARAH"
And 1t was then that first allowed
myself to hope that Jan didn't think
me plain
In month, then, It became a set
tied thing, for her to return and find
me waiting for her.
But one day Jan did not offer her
hand
II received letter this morning"
she said, her angry eyes on mine. ut
came from a firm OF lawyers. This
was lnclosed:"
Madam" II ran
Some years ago l purchased
chest from you. When repairing tho
base of 1t discovered a secret draw
err. which contained the sum of $4,000.
Rightly or wrongly, considered the
sum mine. Now, on my deathbed,
feel little uncertain. have neither
kith nor kin, and l have decided to
leave you, should you survive me- a
legacy of the same amount.
Your obedient servant,
JACOB SIDNEY"
why do this-why2" she cried pas
sionately, adding with cruel illogical
ness: You must have known ! should
find outl I'm alone in the world; I'm
poor Youve-you've cheated me into
spending money which isn't mine.
How dared you--how could you? l
thought you my friend. You meant
to be kind. Yes, you've been cruel"
Your trouble came about through
me-" said quietly, after a pause. Il
let you in for 1t. It was my optimism
which made you so eager to buy the
chest. apologize"
She echoed the word In derision.
81 can do no more" said.
"Except-go," she said rudely; yet
she choked
And then | did the only wise thing
! had done that afternoon went to
her and stood behind her and said
sternly:
Il have an excuse. The best.
love you. won't bear your cruelty
any longer. won't hear your re-
proaches. I'll only hear your answer
to my question Jan, will you marry
mef And I'll not hear your No to
that only your Yes"
She had grown stiff, rigid, az first
! spoke. Then little by little her head
had fallen forward. She suddenly col
lapsed as her hands went forward.
upward to her face. She was crying
as my arms went round her, crying
as ! dragged her fingers from her
tear-wet cheeks, crying as ! bent her
head back and stared into her eyes.
But It was her lips-framing no
word, but something infinitely sweet
er-which answered mo at last.