Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-02-08
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Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Unon

Copyright 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
| Calls first glimpse of her fiance's
| homestead was not encouraging. Jerry
had taken her there to visit his moth
| er and become acquainted with the
surroundings which might later be the
! girls future home. Jerry ardently
| hoped that it would be. His mother
had been satisfied and happy on
the old farm through many years
of her marriage; and as Jerry's bust
ness would still oblige him to travel,
he knew that he would be able to do
so with free mind, if Gail were but
comfortably established under his
mothers roof. True, the girl of his
heart was accustomed to city home,
but Jerry, with anxious eyes, noted
lately her growing paleness and slen-
derness, even while he laughed at her
fears.
"The doctor says 1. ought to be in
the country" she had told him. "The
doctor says l must try to grow strong"
SO Jerry and his mother talked the
thing over with their usual sympa-
thetic understanding, and decided
that the farm would be the place for
Gail
But when Jerry took his beloved to
visit, it was winter. And while She
loved the tree-bordered grounds, and
the rambling, picturesque old house,
Calls first and unpleasant impression
was Of the cemetery close by.
"Why, dearie,' said Jerrys mother,
wonderingly, II never mind the Gene
terry Sort Of think of it-when l do
think of it at alias Gods Acre.
Nothing there to harm one, dearie;
just peace and restful quiet" Jerry
actually laughed.
Mother would feel lonesome away
from those tombstoneA' he said, "espe-
ciany she would miss old Jerry's."
Jeremiah was my BROTHER" Mrs.
Holcomb explained, used to live with
me here long after Jerry's father died
and the boy had gone to the city.
jeremiah was particular about his
tombstone, left money for it, and he
wanted it in reasonable distance from
the house. They's queer niche cut
down In it to hold statue, but we
haven't been able to afford the statue j;
so in summer 1 fill up the niche with
flowers"
II am not superstitiously afraid, or
anything like that" Gail defended,
ITS just that feel the location would
make me morbid"
Jerry was disappointed; there was
no hiding 1t; also discouraged. He
had so wanted his little sweetheart to
like his home. He agreed, after the
evening meal, to drive his mother down
to the village doctor. She was ailing
and wished professional advice, and
Gail, while she was too tired after
her journey to accompany them, In
sisted that she would be content to re-
main alone by the Preside.
81 shall be glad to look around this
quaint, big parlor, and I'll not be
bit lonesome" she assured her lover.
SO they drove off in the car, and
she went first to bid them good-by,
slipping back to the house between
the stretching shadows of the pines.
1t was very still there, and with city
bred apprehension, she wished that
Jerry had not left the firms money. in
IT'S leather bag, so carelessly in his bed
room.
Then, Just as she stood In the up
per bedroom, resolved to slip the
money bag beneath the mattress
sound came to her Of a suddenly halt
ed automobile and she saw its Occu-
pants alight among the shadows of
the pines and come slowly toward the
house.
One man had silently assisted his
companion over the sill, before she de-
cided to act. then slipping into her
cloak, which lay on chair, Gail
caught up the valuable leather bag
which she was sure the invaders had
followed, and crept shakingly down
the back stair. The tOmbstOnes shone
ghostly through the back hall window,
but she did not hesitate.
Easily, the girl climbed over the
fence and into the dreary cemetery. 1t
was to her now sure refuge, for who,
she thought in strange calm triumph,
would seek hidden gold In that place
Of silence. Above all others, Uncle Jere-
miah's tombstone beckoned, and as she
made her way in the deep shadow to-
ward it the niche opened invitlngly.
Into its depths was slipped the young
er Jerry's bag of trust.
Then Gail waited,
Perhaps the men. armed, were going
to make a bold assault as Jerry en-
tered his home. She would walk on
to waylay and warn him. At the
bend Of the road his car came to a
stop. At sight Of the small, familiar
figure Jerry leaped from his seat and
gathered her into his arms.
'Why, Gail, darling" he cried, and
tremblingly she told her story. But