The Monticellonian., 1918-02-08
HIS LAST DIME
ExS&a@3
By JACK LAWTON.


 her corner home, and looked toward the shop across the way. As usual the plate glass window was irreproach- ably shining, the display of dainty stationary temptingly displayed, and as usual it's young proprietor waited hopefully behind the glass doors for a possible customer. Would his pa- tience never be exhausted? AnnabePs violet eyes moistened in pity, at the wistful appeal of the brown eyes oppo- site.
 Why in the world had this young man come with his delicate wares to a town where only the necessary was salable. Even at Christmas time Lyn- depville indulged but in serviceable and plainly useful articles.
 Left wealthy by her father" the villagers would say. But Annabers wealth was only sufficient for her mod est needs and the keeping still of the home with old Mrs. White as house. keeper Since Annabel had become customer of the 'Shoppe,' its owner had greeted her with his frank smile, meeting occasionally in the post office. She fancied, with concern, that his face was growing thinner; could it be possi- ble that the dearth of customers made economy of food necessity
 Well, the girl wondered impatfently, why didn't he go back where he could find something better to do? Then, be- cause the shadows were growing long, CT and she remembered that she had, had no out-Of-door exercise that day, AnnabeI got into her jauqty coat and becoming hat, and went for walk. Near the hotel, where the auto-buS started upon it's trips to the station, she saw her neighbor-across-the-way, hesitating, to examine some small coin in his hand.
 "Ride down to the station with us, Miss AnnabeI," <ealled the friendly driver, and with a second impulse she stepped inside. Not that the ride was thing unusual. Many times her walks had been interrupted by the jo- vial invitation. The girl had known Ben. the driver, from her childhood.
 From her rear seat in the car, she noted admiringly the broad shoulders of the young man in front. Ben in- cluded them both in his remarks. "Go- ing to town?" he inquired.
 Well, not exact - the shop-keeper replied. Woman down beyond the station wants to see me about engrav- ed invitations. thought I'd ride as far as you go, with you"
 Must be Mrs. Jake Smith," Ben soliloquized. '.Daughter's goin' to be married soon. How are you goin' the rest of the way. it's quite piece?"
 Annabel found him waiting to assist her as she opened the auto door, as she bowed her head in thanks, the mans hand slipped into his pocket for Ben's fee, then something happen ed. In a moment the dime seemed to fly from his fingers to alight upon the car floor. Flushed and eager he bent to look for it, while the driver waited.
 'Train's coming" Ben suggested im- patiently.
 The young man raised an embarras- sed face. Just Il moment" he mur- mured still searching.
 Annabel stood looking intently at the road. then she bent suddenly forward.
 "Mhy, here il is," she laughed, and held out to Ben a shining dime.
 The man looked straight and long into her eyes. T thank you" he said quietly. and Annabel with strange stirring of the heart, went on her homeward way. Of course that had been his only dime, he must walk back
 It was late in the evening when the light in the stationery shop flared across the street; she wondered un- easily if he had been successful in his quest for the wedding invitations, and next morning in the most natural way he told her.
 T have recovered from my long walk" her neighbor announced cheer fly, though it was useless errand af ter all." He sighed: 'In fact, I've about decided that the whole business is. useless, around here"
 Tt is," the girl agreed quickly, "if you'd try something else-''
 It uOtS iiot lildtlcI uOWy ue Stlu, and held out his letter. I've been called-to the colors.''
 "When?" the girl asked, something caught at her breath painfully.
 At once. AS soon as I can get ready" again the radiance was upon his face.
 May T." he asked abruptly, "comer to see you before I go?"
 She was in the window when he came, looking at the bare little shop. across the way.
 II wanted you to know" he began. "how much 1 appreciated your-inter- est, your helpfulness. Sometimes it cheered me on past sheer failure. You thought l didn't realize that your big purpose was charity pure and simple. And last night when you gave that dime to Ben"
 "Gaye-it?" whispered Annabel.
 The man smiled, "Yes," he said, gently, when you handed it over I had just found my own last dime up-. on the car floor"
 A flush rose to the girls soft hair. 'It was such little thing to do," she, murmured.
 Very boldly, but very tenderly, the man took her hands in his own. T can be better soldier" he said, "a