The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-02-23

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 a free mind, if Gail were but |
comfortably established under his
mothers roof. True, the girl of his
heart was accustomed to a city home,
but Jerry, with anxious eyes, noted
lately her growing paleness and slen-
rderness, even while he laughed at her
fears.
"The doctor says I ought to be in
the country" she had told him. 1.-THE
doctor says I 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 Jerry's mother,
wonderingly, II never mind the Gene
terry. Sort of think Of it-when 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 tombstones," he said, "espe-
cially she would miss old Jerry's."
Jeremiah was my brother" Mrs.
Holcomb explained, fused 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 a queer niche cut
down in it to hold a statue, but we
haven't been able to afford the statue;
so in summer I fill up the niche with
flowers"
II am not superstitiously afraid, or
anything like that" Gail defended,
"it's Just that 1 feel the location would
make me morbid"
Jerry was disappointed; there was
no hiding it; 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 fireside.
II 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
It was very still there, and with city
bred apprehension, she wished thai
Jerry had not left the firms money, ir
it's leather bag, so carelessly in his bed
room.
Then, just as she stood in the up
per bedroom, resolved to slip tn
money bag beneath the mattress, :
sound came to her Of a suddenly halt
ed automobile and she saw It's occu
pants alight among the shadows o
the pines and come slowly toward tn
house.
One man had silently assisted hi
companion over the sill, before she de
cided to act, then slipping into he
cloak, which lay on chair, Gal
caught up the valuable leather ba
which she was sure the invaders ha
followed, and crept shakingly dow
the back stair. The tombstones shon
ghostly through the back hall windoy
but she did not hesitate.
Easily, the girl climbed over tn
fence and into the dreary cemetery.
was to her now sure refuge, for VIII
she thought in strange calm triumph
would seek hidden gold in that pla(
of silence Above all Others Uncle Jer
miah's tombstone beckoned, and as 81
made her way in the deep shadow t.
ward it the niche opened invitingl
Into it's depths was slipped the youn
err Jerrys bag Of trust.
Then Gail waited.
Perhaps the men, armed, were goi1
to make a bold assault as Jerry e
tered his home. She would walk !,
to waylay and warn him. At tt
bend of the road his car came to
stop. At sight Of the small, famili
figure Jerry leaped from his seat al
gathered her into his arms.
"Why, Gail, darling!'' he cried, al
tremblingly she told her story. B
neither Jerry nor his sensible moth
could be impressed or warned. "The
is some mistake" they said, and 70
steadily homeward. And when, up
their arrival, it was found that t
trespassers were Jerry's own cousi
come Hospitality to call on his inter
ed bride, Gail could not join in
laughing account of their entrance.
"We knew you'd be back soon," {
said, $50 rather than get chilled (
in our car, we climbed through
old convenient side window" Jel
did not laugh when he went out la
to recover his bag Of gold.
"You were brave, GALL" he admir-
mighty brave with your fear of
cemetery and all"
II will not mind the Genet
aooin - Gail said and smiled