The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-09-30
How Sarah Made
Amends
BY MURIEL BLAIR
(0. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

Il can't take them, Mrs. Smith
please do not ask me. l know you are
Just the finest cook in the world, and
Know your good, kind heart. too,
nut they so remind-remind me"
and the speaker burst into tears, and
bowed her head upon the plain but
snowy clean kitchen table, as if her
heart would break.
Don't misunderstood me, Mrs.
Smith," said Sarah Richie, drying her
tears. IF you only knew"
~ know all about it, dear" an
swered the kind Samaritan, tenderly.
Don't speak of it again. l do wish,
evening"
II have some very important bust
ness tonight" said Sarah. ut is about
the property, and l have to see Law
yer Jones'"
Sarah Richie, left to herself, sat
looking mournfully out Of the window
at the snowy landscape.
Briefly told, this was the tragedy of
her life: She had married Alfred
Richie, the bookkeeper in the small
hardware business her father conduct
ed. There was a happy year. Then.
n day. her husband disappeared. 1t
was known that he went away with
the young lady clerk to a distant city.
4. deficit of five hundred dollars was
found. Sarah's father died knowing
that his business was on the verge of
ruin.
Before the funeral an express pack
ct came containing five hundred dol
lars, no name. no explanation. The
following week Alfred Richie reap
peared in the village. Sarah refused
to see him.
What could she think but the worst !
She learned later that Alfred had ia
ken charge of a grazing farm n hun
dred miles distant like herself. lead.
ing a lonely, loveless life.
Sarah tidied up the place, as was
her wont, and the little place was hos
pitable and neat looking when Lawyer
Jones arrived.
II sent for you, Mr.. jones'" she said,
because the mortgage on the house
here is due. l canno possibly pay
it. but l car keep up the interest If
you will renew this loan."
II have a surprise for you" replied
the lawyer. II hardly know how you
will take 1t, but-the mortgage has
been paid in full"
"By whom?" exclaimed Sarah, In
startled wonder.
by your husband, Alfred Richie"
"Will you listen to a story l am at
last authorized to tell?' he asked.
Sarah nodded, but with her emotion
chOked, her face not at all responsive.
1.-The girl who left the town the day
that your husband did, as you know,
was a distant relative Of your father.
Your husband had learned that She
had married a wretch who not only
would not support her, but influenced
her to steal money from her EN-
plOyer, and send it to him. Briefly,
Alfred went with her to hunt up the
wretch. He compelled him 10 care for
his wife. He borrowed i've hundred
OLA from a relative to replace the
stolen money. He could not publicly
explain all this without, getting the
girl In trouble, and you refused to
listen to his explanations. The girl
died a month ago, and o. he has
just written me he is free to have the
truth known. BY patient labor, al
ways loving you, he saved up the
money to pay off the mortgage on
your home"
"Oh, how cruel, how wicked l have
been!" cried the overwhelmed wife.
How shall l make amends? Oh, tell
me. l implore Of you" Z
And Robert Jones told her.
Sarah found the bleak place with its
cottage In charge of a boy. He told
her that Mr.. Richie had gone away
for a few days on important business.
II will stay here, oh. I must stay
II Alfred will only let mel" she told
herself, as she scrubbed and clenaed
and busted.
Trailing through the snow, Alfred
Richie approached his lonely home
two nights later. He pushed open the
door.
Sarah" he cried, and his big, 10y
al heart spoke its earnest delight a.
he sheltered her In his strong, cher
ishing arms.
"Oh, Alfred, 1t is like heaven, all
this !" sobbed the penitent Sarah 8
little later, as they sat in the soft
soothing glow of the burning logs In
the great fireplace. 81 wish new tt
leave this. A glad, true wife, l will
only ask to care for you, and please
you, and love you"
"Only in a little better home.' sale
Alfred. Il have been away on &C
count Of a legacy left me by a rela
tive. It means less toll and finer sur
rO%undings. We won't be too grand
though. There must always be your
famous pumpkin pies and doughnut>
on the bill of fare"