Williams news., 1919-12-05

note which was told must be given you just as soon as possible Would you like it now?"
 Her blurred eyes read: Dear Rose Bee-Your luck has turned took the check to bank; they put it through for me; and the money came hack Old Fruit must have known his time was short, and thinking of yonr kindness to him in an unkind world. gave you all he had. He loved you. So do l. Elmer" And in a smaller envelope she found bills that totaIed $500. and a note: '"rhe rest you can have when you want it. kept fl in the bank"
 The noises of her tumbling world died away into peace. It was the old mans gift. and there was nothing to do but accept 1t. It meant weeks in the country. strength regained. new desire to live.
 She secured a private room. special care. and spent TWO weeks in the hos pital. Just once. Elmer came to see her. She found his quiet, whimsical ways very restful and enjoyable {; and she asked him to come again. He failed to appear. sending a brief note that he could not get away from his work again; and then she remembered how pale and tired he looked. The thought worried her, his failure to come annoyed her. and in both fail ure and annoyance she made new discovery of how much the awkward, big-hearted friend meant to her.
 She went back to a village in the hills, and there began to regain rap idly the strength she needed for her work. Only one thing marred the happy days-the money he had sent her was about gone-surgeon's nurses. and the hospital bills had mounted up more rapidly than she thought, she reasoned; so she wrote him.
 MT. Stafford, in whose family she was staying. happened to he going to the city. and he volunteered to take the note fn to Elmer.
 Her first surprise came in the eve ming. when she was called into the front room of the house and found El- mer waiting. She went to him glad ly. instinctively. and then paused. the thrill in her heart dying. She want ed to put her arms around his neck and tell him just how much he had been to her. but the look on his face arrested her. The same old hungry look of love was in his eyes, but his haggard face was lined and changed
 Rose Bee. l have come to make a confession he said tensely. .l didn't-er-there is no money"
 @''What-what-wh do you mean ?" 'There isn't any more money" he re peated desperately. .I knew the check was no good; didn't have the cour- age to take it to the bank. borrowed from the firm-and-andI worked night and day to raise the rest and pay back some borrowed. I knew you wouldn't take it-sO I thought of this scheme of making believe the check was good. I-I-had to tell you. I couldn't get hold of any money to send you. Do you-hate me for it?"
 From astonishment. amazement, to tender understanding she wept as she listened At his last boyish question she laid her face against his snoui- der and drew his arm about her. Hate you. my dear. great-hearted boy" she said gently: why. let me tell you what have been learning these weeks-I love you!"
 Rose Reel"
 hoarse cough broke the spell. Mir. Stafford stood in the doorway. Say. if you young folks will forgive me- I want to tell you something. talked with Horton. and he told me the story of the check. I'm curious old cuss. and just for the fun of it, cause could understand how Fruit loved this girl guess you do. too. Horton-I had my bankers telephone to that country hank the check was on, while I was in the city; and just got home and I had to give you the news-that check just covers the bal ance old Fruit had in his country bank! Elmer should have tried to cash it. hut guess everything is all right nowi"
 Elmer looked at Rose Bee. and Rose Bee looked at Elmer. in the irnmor- tai speech of heart to heart: and then. as she kissed him. she an- nounced. smiling through the mist in her eyes:
 Dear. the Barker luck has busted !'